Arizona State transfer Austin Nunez pledges to Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard and his staff haven’t taken many days off since getting the job, and that hard work is paying off as the Rebels have landed their second transfer commitment. On Monday, Arizona State guard Austin Nunez pledged his commitment to play for Beard and Ole Miss.

(Stay up to date with all the transfer portal action on our Rebel Walk Basketball Tracker. Click here!)

Nunez took to social media to announce his decision. On Twitter he posted a picture of himself in an Ole Miss uniform with the quote, “2 steppin to the sip #committed.”

2 steppin to the sip 🔴🔵#committed #hottytoddy #cometothesip #olemiss pic.twitter.com/isks5jdscv

— Austin Nunez (@theaustinunez) April 24, 2023

A 6-foot-2 guard, Nunez played in 28 games for Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils this past season. Beard had recruited Nunez out of high school but got a chance to recruit the guard for a second time.

On the year, Nunez averaged 4.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. Ole Miss now has transfer pledges from both Nunez and Georgetown wing Brandon Murray.

The news broke only a few days after Nunez wrapped up his visit to campus. Reports surfaced a couple of weeks ago that Nunez, considered a top-25 point guard in the transfer portal, would visit both Ole Miss and Notre Dame.

Growing up, Nunez attended Wagner High School just outside of downtown San Antonio. Considered a four-star prospect by multiple recruiting sites, Nunez enjoyed a decorated high school career where he averaged 28.1 points his senior year while shooting 40% from deep with 104 makes in 27 games.

Nunez, chosen as a McDonald’s All-American nominee, elected to go to Arizona State over the likes of Texas (under Beard), Creighton, Hofstra, Texas A&M, Houston and others.

Earlier in the year, Nunez earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors when he put together back-to-back double-digit performances in two neutral-site wins against VCU and Michigan. Against VCU, Nunez scored 10 points in the four-point win and followed it up with a season-high 15 points in the 25-point win against Michigan on the next day.

He suffered a concussion in February and made his final appearance for the Sun Devils in a game against Utah.

What Nunez Brings to Ole Miss

Starting with the physicals, Nunez is listed at 6-foot-2, 170 lbs. He is listed as a point guard but can play both on and off ball and can really bring some energy to the game. Synergy Sports Technologies has him listed as a secondary ball handler, but Nunez has the quickness and handle to break down defenders off the dribble in the half court. Nunez loved to get in transition in which he would get out and go for 26.5% of his offensive play types.

A lefty, Nunez is a very effective shooter. In high school, Nunez made 3.85 threes per game. In college he shot the three at 37.7%. He was at his most effective shooting the three in spot-up situations where he made them at a scorching 52.4%. These spot-up attempts came on base catch-and-shoot opportunities as well as some step back threes where he drove right.

Nunez has solid passing ability with the ability to make live dribble passes with either hand but can work on tightening his handle. His ability to get the defense on its heels and knock down shots from the outside will provide Ole Miss with an instant impact threat when he’s on the court.

Defensively, Nunez had a very underrated season with a 2.4 STL%. Per 40 minutes, that number equaled out to 1.7 per game. His quick feet allow him to stay with attackers and his explosive burst allows him to quickly swipe the ball attacking from the weak side on post feeds. As a defender, his opposing .664 points per possession ranks him in the 93rd percentile on Synergy. On 90 total half-court attempts, Nunez held opponents to 31.1% from the field.

With Nunez, Ole Miss is getting a highly explosive player who has significant potential and could be an impact player on both sides of the ball for Chris Beard early next season.

Where the Ole Miss roster sits at this point

Ole Miss has seen its fair share of turnover this offseason. Beard has had to come in and recruit and re-recruit players from last year’s team. In the first couple of weeks, Beard was able to get pledges from Jaemyn Brakefield, and TJ Caldwell. Matthew Murrell is testing the NBA draft waters but has maintained his collegiate eligibility. Those three and Robert Cowherd make up a core unit returning to Oxford next season.

Add in the additions of Brandon Murray and Austin Nunez and Ole Miss has begun to shape its roster for next season.

There is still plenty of work to be done. Ole Miss has recently hosted North Texas transfer Tylor Perry. The CUSA player of the year will make his decision on May 2nd. Florida and Kansas State are also heavily involved.

The Rebels also hosted Western Kentucky center Jamarion Sharp, who was a two-time defensive player of the year.

Chris Beard will also be bringing in a pair of forwards for a visit here soon as well. UTEP Center Ze’Rik Onyema is rumored to take a visit at some point in the future. He averaged 7.1 PTS and 4.4 REB last season for the Miners. Class of 2023 center Cameron Barnes is scheduled to visit Ole Miss on April 26th.

Former Ole Miss guard Amaree Abram is transferring to Georgia Tech. He averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists this past season for the Rebels while starting 22 games.

Check our Basketball Tracker for more updates as they happen!