Two Division I transfers bolster future Bulldogs backcourt

The Fresno State men’s basketball team has bolstered its backcourt with the addition of two transfers.

Noah Blackwell (Long Beach State) and Braxton Huggins (New Mexico State) will redshirt next season in accordance with NCAA rules before both become eligible in 2018-19.

Blackwell shared starting point guard duties for Long Beach State the past two seasons. In 2016-17, the 6-foot-2 Roseville native averaged 8.1 points while shooting a team-high 38 percent from 3-point range for a 49ers squad that finished 15-19 overall.

Recruited by Bulldogs coach Rodney Terry out of Woodcreek High, Blackwell has two seasons of college eligibility remaining.

Huggins, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds last season for a New Mexico State squad that reached the NCAA Tournament and finished 28-6 but lost coach Paul Weir to rival New Mexico. The Bakersfield native led the WAC in 3-point accuracy, hitting 42 percent from beyond the arc.

Huggins has one season of eligibility remaining.

The Bulldogs, coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons, return their three top guards in Deshon Taylor, Jaron Hopkins and Jahmel Taylor. However, Hopkins and Jahmel Taylor are seniors, which should clear the way for Blackwell and Huggins to get playing time when they become eligible.

Fresno State cannot comment on Blackwell or Huggins until each signs a national letter of intent.

This story was originally published June 1, 2017 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Two Division I transfers bolster future Bulldogs backcourt."