May 9 – The UNM Lobos got bigger. Again.
For the second day in a row, the Lobos secured the commitment of an athletic frontcourt player, adding size and depth to the roster for the 2024-25 season.
Atiki Ally Atiki, a 6-foot-2 senior-to-be from Tanzania who played the past three seasons at BYU, has committed to play for Richard Pitino and the UNM Lobos. He still has one season of eligibility to play.
Atiki, an excellent rim protector who played all of last season with a right thumb injury that he corrected after the season, is primarily a “5,” where he will compete with Lobo starting center Nelly Junior Joseph, also 6-10, for play time.
The Wolves also added 6-8 forward Daniel Thomas to this week’s roster, plus a “4” or power forward. They join a 2024 recruiting class that also includes 6-9 University of Arizona transfer Filip Borovicanin and 6-10 prep forward Jovan Milicevic.
This offseason, the Lobos lost three offensive players – power forward JT Toppin (6-9) and backup center Sebastian Forsling (7-0) to the transfer portal and backup power forward Isaac Mushilla (6-5) to expired eligibility .
Atiki, hampered by a thumb injury, averaged 4.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in just under 11 minutes per game off the bench last season.
Two years ago, in just under 15 minutes per game, Atiki averaged 1.1 blocks and had a block percentage of 8.4%, which would have ranked him in the top 35 in the country had he qualified by playing more minutes.
UNM has one scholarship remaining for the upcoming 2024-25 season, one that Pitino said he has not yet decided whether to use this offseason or keep available if a player transfers after the start of the season.
Atiki made an official recruiting visit to Albuquerque last week.
BYU BIO: The player biography page on the BYU basketball website states that Atiki loves to draw and paint, speaks Swahili, is an avid football player and fan, and is a pool shark.
And his name is pronounced: a-TEEK-ee A-lie a-TEEK-ee.
OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Although the news and Journal story featuring an interview with Thomas broke Wednesday, UNM did not officially announce or comment on the incoming freshman signing until Thursday.
In a statement released by the team, Pitino said of the new Lobo: “We are excited about the addition of Daniel to our basketball program. He has the size, toughness and edge we were looking for in a young player. he fits well with our culture on and off the court.”
UNM and its coaches do not comment on new players until all paperwork is resolved.
2024-25 LOBO ROSTER: As of May 9, and listed alphabetically, here is the UNM Lobos men’s basketball roster for next season with one scholarship still available.
F Deraje Agbaosi, 6-7 (returning unmarked)
F Mustapha Amzil, 6-9 (returning)
G Braden Appelhans, 6-7 (returning)
C Atiki Ally Atiki, 6-10 (BYU transfer)
F Filip Borovicanin, 6-9 (Arizona transfer)
G Dylan Chavez, 6-5 (incoming freshman)
G Donovan Dent, 6-2 (returning)
G Kayde Dotson, 6-2 (incoming freshman)
G Shane Douma-Sanchez, 6-1 (returning unmarked)
C Nelly Junior Joseph, 6-10 (returning)
F Jovan Milicevic, 6-10 (incoming freshman)
G CJ Noland, 6-4 (North Texas transfer)
F Daniel Thomas, 6-8 (incoming freshman)
G Tru Washington, 6-4 (returning)
G Quinton Webb, 6-6 (returning)
