The San Diego State Aztecs have landed their first transfer of the 2026 offseason. 6-foot-11 forward Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry was born in San Diego, but attended high school in Arizona at Saint Mary’s Catholic HS. Cherry announced his decision on Instagram.

Bear Cherry attended New Mexico Junior College for two seasons before transferring to UNLV for one season, starting all but one game in 2024-25. After his junior season, Bear transferred down to Sacramento State to play for head coach Mike Bibby, a former NBA star for the Sacramento Kings. However, an injury prevented Bear from playing the entire season, limiting him to just six games.

In those six games, Cherry averaged 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game. It was a small sample size, but Cherry seemed to be a star in the making for the Hornets. Cherry got injured in the first half against No. 17 UCLA and did not return for the rest of the campaign.

Against UC Davis, the big man scored 22 points and nine rebounds while going 9-20 from the floor. It seems that Cherry was going to be the star of the team before the injury.

Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry with the poster and-one dunk. #vegas #unlvmbb pic.twitter.com/5zTRlpgQ4D

— Mick Akers (@mickakers) November 15, 2024

Jeremiah "Bear" Cherry is the next JUCO star big man after Yaxel Lendeborg.

I love his footwork and craftiness to create the scoring angle from underneath the basket. He had 10 PTS, 8 REB, and 5 BLK in the W against New Mexico.pic.twitter.com/UF6TMB9xoI

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) November 24, 2024

This is a big get for the Aztecs. This team desperately needed a rebounder, and they are getting someone much more than just that. He can defend the rim and block at least two shots per game, which he did four times in six games last season. Not to mention, if he can average north of 10+ points per game by being a dominant force in the paint, then he could emerge as one of the better big men in the Pac-12. The deep ball isn’t a part of his game, but he did make one last season.

Bear Cherry lead UNLV in RAPM two seasons ago. Shot 63% from 2P and had a 79% RimRate

86%ile efficiency in PnR, solid as a post player, and good passer from inside the post as well.

— Aztec Analytics (@AztecAnalytics) April 11, 2026

New SDSU commit Bear Cherry’s advanced analytics stats per @CBBAnalytics

A monster on the boards who protects the rim and can guard without fouling

Offense needs improvement but addresses a huge need on the defensive end for the Aztecs. pic.twitter.com/KuVbezUhQq

— SD Sports Fiend (@sdsportsfiend) April 11, 2026

Coming in as a graduate student, Cherry is going to fight for the starting five spot. In all honesty, it should be his to lose at the moment, as even if Pharaoh Compton or Miles Heide returns, or even another lengthy transfer comes in, they likely won’t produce the numbers Cherry will in the starting five.

Cherry is going to thrive in this system in the pick-and-roll. Especially if the Aztecs are able to keep their starting caliber guards on the roster.

The Aztecs are still waiting to see the final decisions from Taj DeGourville, Elzie Harrington, and Tae Simmons. The fact that none of them have entered the transfer portal yet is a good sign. If Brian Dutcher is able to hold on to all three of them, then that is a grand slam of an offseason. Bringing in Cherry is an underrated signing as well. Bear Cherry would love playing with that group. Simmons already gives off a similar vibe to a smaller player.

Let’s see what else Dutch and his staff have in store this offseason. Stay tuned!

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.