Mark Rudi

Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - L.J. Figueroa, a top 100 player for the Class of 2017 that signed with New Mexico State last fall, will not play for the Aggies, NMSU coach Chris Jans confirmed on Thursday night.

“L.J. has not expressed any interest in being at New Mexico State,” Jans told the Sun-News on Thursday night.

Figueroa, a four-star recruit of out West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Fla., chose NMSU over Power 5 schools in Miami (Fla.), Florida and Louisville last fall. But he was recruited by former NMSU head coach Paul Weir and former Aggie assistant Marc Hsu, who both are now at the University of New Mexico.

It's unknown where Figueroa will transfer to.

Figueroa was enrolled at NMSU for the spring semester and even though he never played a minute for the Aggies, NMSU could block a transfer to UNM, UTEP or any other Western Athletic Conference school. But Figueroa could possibly seek a waiver to be immediately eligible and transfer to a school of his choosing since he didn't play in any games for the Aggies.

Ian Baker, Matt Taylor and Tanveer Bhullar all graduated last weekend and Taylor and Bhullar both announced they were leaving the Aggie program with one year of eligibility left prior to Weir taking the UNM job. Taylor's college career is over as he has hired an agent and Bhullar is seeking to play as a graduate transfer next season or professionally.

After Jans was hired last month, Jermaine Haley and Braxton Huggins both asked for, and were granted, their release and Jalyn Pennie announced this week he will graduate from NMSU this August and will be leaving the Aggie program. Pennie would be immediately eligible next season as a graduate transfer.

Sperber to stay at NMSU on Jans' staff as video coordinator

Jordan Sperber will stay at NMSU on Jans' staff as the video coordinator. Sperber came to NMSU last summer to be the video coordinator on Weir's staff.

Sperber was key for the Aggies with his knowledge of analytics and maintains a college basketball analytics website thehoopvision.com.

Jans has two bench spots and a director of basketball operations position to fill. Guy Meyer, who was the director of basketball operations at NMSU under Weir last season, joined Weir's staff at UNM.

Jans also said a few weeks ago that Jesse Bopp and Aerick Sanders, who were assistant under Weir at NMSU, will not be on his staff.

Mark Rudi can be reached at 575-541-5455, mrudi@lcsun-news.com or on Twitter @mrudi19.