Men's Basketball Signs JUCO Transfer Ezzeddine

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team has added Northwest Florida State College transfer Karim Ezzeddine to the 2018-19 roster, the program announced Friday. Ezzeddine signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to join the Lobos next season.

The 6’9″ forward originally from Paris, France averaged 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore last season at Northwest Florida State College, starting 33 games. He helped lead the Raiders to a 31-3 season, competing in all 34 games, while helping the squad to a Region 8 Title before the Raiders were eliminated in the Elite 8 of the NJCAA Tournament in March.

“Karim is a mature young man we became very impressed with during the recruiting process,” head coach Paul Weir said. “On the court, he is a hybrid post player that exactly fits our system at both ends. It’s the perfect match for both of us and we are ecstatic to have him on board as a Lobo.”

Ezzeddine shot 48.3 percent from the floor on the season, 35.5 percent from behind the arc, and tied for the team lead in blocks with 17. As a freshman, he saw action in 29 games shooting 52.6 percent from the field.

“I chose UNM because I had a great feeling with Coach Weir and Coach Mason,” Ezzeddine said. “I feel really comfortable with Coach Weir’s philosophy, playing up-tempo and playing mostly four out and one in. My goal is to win and I think with the squad we have, we will be a real problem in the Mountain West.”

As a junior college transfer, Ezzeddine will be eligible immediately and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.