Where TCU men’s basketball stands after first transfer commitment
TCU men’s basketball finally landed its first transfer with the signing of Long Beach State guard Gavin Sykes, and the Horned Frogs are one step closer to finalizing their 2026 roster.
Many fans wondered why TCU was so quiet in the first few weeks after the transfer portal opened April 7, but there were multiple reasons for the Horned Frogs’ slower-paced approach.
One was the recruitment of David Punch, as there was some hope that the leading scorer from last season would return after entering the portal April 8. Punch signed with Texas four days after he entered the portal.
Another reason was TCU had the advantage of having most of its rotation set with the return of three starters plus the sixth man. Add in two junior college players and an international forward, and the Horned Frogs already had six or seven slots occupied in the rotation.
When you have at least six players expected to play heavy minutes, that allows a program to take its time trying to find the right pieces.
Basketball programs are allowed 15 scholarships, but the expectation, according to multiple sources, is TCU will only pay nine or 10 players through name, image and likeness payments and revenue sharing. It doesn’t make much sense to pay players who aren’t going to play, and it’s a new approach that programs are using as they continue to navigate the rev-share era of college sports.
Here’s where TCU’s basketball roster stands as portal recruiting is expected to heat up:
Returners
Starters: Brock Harding (8.0 points, 5.6 assists), Micah Robinson (10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds), Xavier Edmonds (12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds)
Sixth man: Tanner Toolson (7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds)
Breakdown: Getting four key pieces back from last season’s NCAA Tournament run was massive for the program. Harding will be one of the top floor generals next season after he finished 35th nationally in assists per game. Robinson had a breakout season and helped launch TCU into March Madness as the team went 9-3 in the final 12 games Robinson started.
Edmonds was a third-team All-Big 12 selection and will be one of the top post players in the league. Toolson was often the first man off the bench and has the versatility to play guard or on the wing.
Departures
Transfers: David Punch (Texas), RJ Jones (Washington State), Kayden Edwards (Creighton), Liutaurus Lelevicius (Clemson), Malick Diallo (Loyola-Chicago), Jace Posey (TBD), Ashton Simmons (TBD)
Graduation: Jayden Pierre, Vianney Salatchoum
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs saw a large exodus of players with Punch’s departure to Texas being the most impactful. Punch was honorable mention All-Big 12 and TCU’s leading scorer (14.1) and rim protector. Lelevicius started 22 games and was the best shooter on the team (38% on 3-pointers), though he was eventually replaced by Robinson in the starting lineup. Diallo missed all of last season with an injury, while Jones, Posey, Simmons and Edwards all played small reserve roles off the bench.
Out of that group, Edwards’ departure hurts the most as he was a massive recruiting win for TCU out of Duncanville. But with no guarantee of a much bigger role next season, Edwards will try to make an impact in the Big East.
Salatchoum was a reserve big, while Pierre started every game at shooting guard. Despite being out of eligibility, Pierre entered his name into the transfer portal.
Additions
Transfers: Gavin Sykes (Long Beach State)
JUCO: Trent Lincoln (No. 1 overall JUCO), Ryan Hunt (No. 13 JUCO)
International: Milos Sojic (Serbia)
Breakdown: There are high expectations for Sykes and Lincoln next season. Sykes was the Big West Freshman of the Year and averaged 19.4 points per game while breaking multiple freshman records at Long Beach. Multiple sources have said Lincoln could have a similar impact to Edmonds, who went from the top-ranked JUCO player to All-Big 12 in one season. Lincoln could play either guard spot, while Sykes is a shooting guard.
Hunt is a 7-footer who averaged 14.9 points and 11.9 rebounds this past season. He could fill the role that Salatchoum played.
Sojic is a bit of a wild card, as you never know how international players will transition to college. But his talent is tantalizing; the 6-10 forward averaged 18.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game for KK Beko Belgrade last season in the Serbian 2nd League. Sojic has also competed in multiple FIBA competitions with Serbia.
What’s next?
The biggest needs for TCU are a starting center and depth on the wing. Edmonds played center last season due to the injury to Diallo, but his more natural position is power forward.
Landing a true center would potentially allow Edmonds to be more productive next season, and it would also allow Hunt time to develop as he makes the transition from JUCO to the Big 12. Potential targets include West Virginia forward DJ Thomas.
A versatile wing would round out the roster nicely. TCU has reportedly been in contact with Oregon State wing Isaiah Sy.
Another important factor that could impact TCU’s approach is the NCAA’s looming decision on changing the eligibility rules for athletes. Many expect that the NCAA will do away with redshirt years and give athletes five seasons to play. That’s why a player like Pierre entered his name into the portal, in case the ruling is passed, and he could have one more year.
Some coaches are hoping that rule will go into effect next season with so many programs having used a large chunk of their NIL budgets already. Seniors who were set to graduate could be the most impactful players in the portal if the ruling is passed.
Either way, TCU is in a strong position with most of its rotation set, and there’s a good chance the Horned Frogs could earn preseason top-25 buzz if they’re able to land a few more pieces.
