San Diego State University's men's basketball program has filled a critical void in its roster, securing a commitment from standout Boston University point guard Chance Gladden. The announcement came Monday, marking the third transfer to join the Aztecs this offseason.
The team desperately needed a point guard after three of the four players who handled the position last season departed. Gladden, a 6-foot-4 guard, chose SDSU after a swift two-day recruitment process, picking the Aztecs over power conference programs such as North Carolina State, Notre Dame, and Mississippi.
Gladden brings a decorated resume from his freshman year. He was the first Boston University player since 2013 to be named to both the Patriot League’s all-conference and all-rookie teams. He started 31 of 33 games, averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. His impressive 86.7% free-throw shooting ranked second among all freshmen nationally.
A history of clutch performances
While his analytics may not immediately stand out, Gladden's on-court achievements and clutch play certainly do. He is noted for his ability to perform under pressure, twice hitting buzzer-beating shots to win games. Most famously, he secured a 73-72 victory over Navy in the Patriot League tournament semifinals with a deep three-pointer after dribbling the length of the court with only seconds remaining.
I just wanted to go somewhere I would be appreciated and loved and be given an opportunity to make an impact. San Diego State hit all my terms, with the culture and them really believing in me. They really fit all my criteria.
His freshman season also included several other milestones. He was the first Terrier in nine years to record a double-double in points and assists, a feat he accomplished twice. He first posted 10 points and 12 assists against Lehigh, and then 14 points and 11 assists at Army a month later. In a double-overtime game at Bucknell, he scored a career-high 34 points, the most by a Terrier in six seasons, going 17-for-18 from the free-throw line.
Gladden’s performance at the collegiate level comes after a dominant high school career at Ravenscroft High in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was a two-time all-state selection and averaged 26 and 29 points in his junior and senior seasons, respectively. He says that he felt overlooked during his high school recruitment.
“I definitely do think I was overlooked, especially in my state,” Gladden said. “I put up great numbers my junior and senior years that I thought would have got more attention than it did, so that definitely put a chip on my shoulder. And now coming from a low major and transferring up, it’s a great way to show myself on a bigger level.”
A strong athletic lineage
Gladden comes from a family with a strong athletic background. His father was a football and track athlete at East Carolina University. His grandfather, Kim Huband, was a shooting guard for three seasons at the University of North Carolina under the legendary coach Dean Smith. Huband was part of the 1971-72 Tar Heels team that reached the NCAA Final Four.
This rich athletic heritage has undoubtedly contributed to Gladden's competitive drive and basketball IQ, qualities that will be invaluable as he joins an Aztecs program with high expectations. The team is not far removed from its historic 2023 season, which saw them reach the NCAA Championship game for the first time in program history, a run that captivated the city of San Diego.
Head coach Brian Dutcher, praised by Gladden for the culture he has built over his 26 years with the program, is rebuilding a roster that looks to continue that level of success as the university prepares to join the Pac-12 conference in the 2026-27 season.
Building the 2026-27 roster
Gladden is the third transfer to join the Aztecs, alongside 6-foot-11 centre Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry from Sacramento State and 6-foot-4 shooting guard Nick Anderson from Rice. SDSU also recently confirmed the return of four key players from last season: Elzie Harrington, Tae Simmons, Latrell Davis, and Thokbor Majak. The addition of Gladden provides crucial depth at the point guard spot, allowing the versatile 6-foot-5 Harrington to play multiple positions. Similar to the unexpected success Gladden found in his transfer to SDSU, Southeastern Baptist had a notable baseball season.
With incoming freshman Zach White, the roster currently stands at eight players. The team is expected to finalize a deal with a European big man this week, bringing the total to nine. The newly formed team will look to build chemistry quickly ahead of the new season.
The new additions and returning veterans create a promising foundation for Coach Dutcher's squad. As the Aztecs look to defend their reputation as a dominant force in college basketball, Gladden's proven scoring ability and knack for clutch moments will be a key factor in their success. His arrival signals a clear intention from the program to not just compete, but to win at the highest level.
