Men's Basketball Signs Caldwell

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Head Coach Paul Weir and The University of New Mexico men’s basketball program officially announced the signing of JJ Caldwell on Friday. Caldwell will join the team beginning in the 2019-20 season as a redshirt-junior with two years of eligibility remaining. He will be eligible immediately.

Caldwell began his collegiate career at Texas A&M after finishing high school as the nation’s fifth-ranked point guard recruit as well as the country’s No. 30 overall recruit as ranked by well-known recruiting expert Bob Gibbins. A member of the ESPN Top 100, Caldwell was listed as a four-star prospect by ESPN, 247 Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com. 

“JJ is a terrific point guard with the type of speed and passing ability that will be a tremendous boost for our team,” Weir said. “He loves the game of basketball and we look forward to his impact on the court for the Lobos.”

Caldwell redshirted at Texas A&M for his true freshman season in 2016-17 before seeing his first collegiate action as a redshirt-freshman in 2017-18. That season, he competed in 16 games including five starts and averaged 16.0 minutes per contest. He averaged 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per outing while compiling 41 assists, 12 steals and two blocks.

His best game as an Aggie came against No. 1/2 Florida in which he scored nine points and dished a career-best seven assists against the Gators. 

The 2019-20 season will mark Caldwell’s return to the court as he dons the Cherry & Silver. 

“I chose UNM for the great tradition and the coaches,” Caldwell said. “The coaching staff told me the truth from the start and told me it was not going to be easy. I’m just glad I get to represent the Lobos and hopefully help reach our goals.”

Caldwell will begin workouts with the rest of the Lobos this summer in preparation for the 2019-20 season.