“Nothing,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said, “surprises you anymore.”
The latest example: Leading scorer Nick Boyd walked into Dutcher’s office Friday and informed him he plans to enter the transfer portal with the intention of playing his final college season elsewhere.
SDSU’s roster, like every roster across the nation, is in constant flux in the era of six- and seven-figure NIL inducements, but the 6-foot-3 starting point guard was one piece that many figured would return next season, forming a potent backcourt with Reese Waters and, assuming he doesn’t turn pro, Miles Byrd.
When Boyd arrived last summer from Florida Atlantic, he indicated it was a two-year commitment and he didn’t want to transfer again. As recently as 10 days ago, he privately said he planned to return but couched it with “you never know these days.”
And you don’t. The day after the season-ending loss against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, Boyd met with his family.
By Friday, he had made the decision to leave.
Boyd led the Aztecs with 13.4 points per game and was a second-team all-Mountain West selection. He started fast, had a lull through the middle of the season and finished strong, averaging 16.8 points and 4.3 assists over the final 10 games.
He also became the team’s most vocal leader.
“We just mapped out what the future looked like,” Boyd said Friday. “I spoke with my uncle, who is close to my heart. He advised me to come here, thought it was in my best interest. Everything he tells me, I take it and sit with it and see if it’s best for me.
“There’s no disappointment in the program. I had an awesome time. I love the program. I love the coaches. It was a tough choice. But it’s what my uncle thinks is the next step in my career. I believe in him and trust in him, and it’s something I want to do.”
Dutcher and his staff spent the past two days meeting with players to discuss their futures with the transfer portal opening Monday. That puts them further ahead in the process than the last two years, when the portal opened a week earlier and the Aztecs played deeper into the tournament.
The biggest unknown is 7-foot Magoon Gwath, the Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He remains undecided, although he said earlier this month that “I’m looking more towards trying to get to the pros.”
The rest of the talks seem to have gone well, though, with most of the roster either committed or strongly leaning towards staying. Boyd was the one unexpected development.
“It’s the world we’re living in,” Dutcher said. “That’s why you don’t take it personally. The fan base can’t overreact. It happens every day somewhere. There are enough good returning players, and we will add pieces. We always have.”
The MESA Foundation, SDSU’s basketball collective, does not publicize what it pays individual players, but Boyd is believed to be among the best-paid on the 2024-25 roster.
For players who are not on NBA draft radars, college often became their best earning years as a basketball player, particularly if you can command NIL in the high six figures. A year ago, point guard Lamont Butler transferred to Kentucky for his final season for what is believed to be $700,000, more than double what he would have received at SDSU.
“I have the utmost confidence in myself, my work ethic, my character,” Boyd said. “This is something I thought about and prayed on. I feel this is the best decision for myself. Wherever I go in my next stop, I’m going to work my butt off and live with the results.”
Boyd’s departure may increase the chances of SDSU keeping versatile 6-5 freshman Taj DeGourville, who developed into the backup point but might not have started next season with Boyd, Byrd and Waters all back. DeGourville has repeatedly said NIL is not the most important factor for him, turning down big-money offers out of high school to come to SDSU, but playing time might be.
The Aztecs are expected to have at least four scholarships available next season and possibly five should Gwath leave. The needs include a rebounder and, now, another point guard.
“Obviously, I love San Diego,” Boyd said. “I appreciate the coaches. When I spoke with them face to face, I told them I wouldn’t be in the situation to even have a choice to stay or leave if it wasn’t for them. I’m forever grateful for that. I loved playing at Viejas. The arena was rocking. You know how much I loved that.
“But I just feel like this is the next step for me.”
