Could Magoon Gwath become SDSU’s best defensive player ever?
Credit: Don De Mars/ EVT Sports
A star is born at San Diego State University.
Magoon Gwath is making waves for the Aztec men’s basketball team as they are deep into conference play.
The redshirt freshman has emerged as an elite rim protector. Gwath has recorded 56 blocks, breaking the Aztecs’ blocks record by a freshman.
Skylar Spencer, the previous record holder, needed 34 games to reach his total, and Gwath surpassed him in just 21 games.
The record is his
@magoongwath breaks the freshman blocks record
: @CBSSportsCBB pic.twitter.com/m4jWJLXk15
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) February 9, 2025
Gwath is currently eighth on the Aztecs’ single-season record for blocks. With seven games left in the regular season, Gwath is averaging 2.5 blocks and is on pace to finish top five on the Aztecs’ single-season blocks leader. His 2.5 blocks per game is also 10th in the country.
According to CBB analytics, Gwath is fifth in the nation in steals + blocks percentage, known as the “Hakeem Percentage.”
Gwath draws comparisons to NBA players like Dereck Lively II and Evan Mobley for their ability to erase shots by pinning them off the glass and timely defense to protect the rim.
To go down as potentially the best defensive player to don the scarlet and black, Gwath would need to stay at SDSU for at least one more season (if not all of his eligibility) and break more SDSU records by his sophomore or junior year. Although it would be nice, Gwath does not need to play four seasons at SDSU to establish himself as the greatest defensive player.
Despite it being rare, if the redshirt freshman can develop the ability to be serviceable at guarding 1-5 and staying out of foul trouble, that will only help prove his case.
He has the versatility, athleticism, and IQ to time his shot-blocking. Once he perfects his skills, he will be even better at blocking shots.
As much as he can clean up for his teammates on the defensive end, they, too, will need to be solid enough not to put a burden on him. One example is sophomore Miles Byrd. He is an excellent lengthy defender who can play the passing lanes and score easy, fast-break points. Byrd’s strong defense can put Gwath in positions to be successful.
Opposing offenses are continuing to challenge Gwath’s rim protection. If Gwath can reach a trajectory where opposing offenses are deterred from taking shots at the rim because of his presence, he will certainly receive multiple defensive awards.
Longevity will be key since he has the capability to break numerous SDSU defensive records.
Gwath can certainly challenge former Aztec Lamont Butler, who won Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year (2024) and made the Mountain West All-Defensive team three consecutive years (2022-2024).
Another @magoongwath block leads to a shot clock violation!
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) February 12, 2025
Gwath is averaging 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game on 49/34/65 shooting splits and has incredible upside.
For a player with a 7-foot frame, Gwath moves with fluidity, has good hands around the rim, and covers ground with ease. In other words, he moves like a wing player despite his size.
Over his last five games, Gwath has continued to strive. He’s scored in double figures in four of his five games. He’s grabbed at least ten rebounds in three of the five games — something that he achieved only twice this season.
Another emerging star is on the rise for SDSU basketball … and his name is Magoon Gwath.
Mac Pham, a San Diego State alum, graduated with a distinction in Cum Laude and a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications. He formally served as the vice president for SDSU’s Asian American Journalist Association chapter.