Chris Howell and Milos Vicentic Sign with Lobo Basketball
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball program announced Wednesday the addition of two more transfers to the 2025-26 roster. Guard Chris Howell and forward Milos Vicentic have signed with the Lobos after transferring from UC San Diego, where they both played for Eric Olen last season.
Howell, a 6-6 guard from San Diego, spent last season at UCSD after beginning his collegiate career at Saint Mary’s. The younger brother of Lobo assistant coach Mikey Howell, he was named the 2024-25 Big West Best Hustle Player by the league’s coaches when he ranked 15th nationally in steals with 76 last season, while averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Before transferring to UCSD, Howell redshirted his freshman season at Saint Mary’s in 2021-22 before appearing in 58 games off the bench over the next two years for the Gaels.
“Chris impacts winning as much as anyone I’ve been around, but it doesn’t always show up in the box score,” said head coach Eric Olen. “His feel for the game along with his versatility on both ends of the floor will raise the level of everyone around him. He’s exactly the kind of competitor and leader we want representing Lobo basketball. We’re fired up to welcome Chris and his family to the Lobo family.”
“I chose to come to New Mexico because this staff truly is my family,” said Howell. “Hearing all about the culture of the program and the support of the fan base, playing at a place like this is something I have always dreamed of. I am excited to be able to compete at such a high level and try to win some championships.”
Vicentic, a 6-7 forward, played last season at UCSD after four years at Division II McKendree. He played just one game for the Tritons in 2024-25, suffering a season-ending injury in the season opener against San Diego State. While at McKendree, the native of Belgrade, Serbia, scored 1,226 career points and was a Division II All-American in 2023-24. During his senior season, he averaged 21.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 42 percent from three-point range. In a preseason exhibition against Northwestern, he scored 19 points on 7-11 shooting, including 5-7 from deep.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Milos to the Lobo family,” said Olen. “His ability to score in a variety of ways makes him difficult to defend. Lobo fans are going to enjoy getting to know Milos and his infectious personality.”
“I chose New Mexico because of the basketball culture here,” said Vicentic. “Coach Olen gave me an opportunity to come to UCSD and he still believes in me. I think this is the perfect place for me to continue my basketball career and finish college.”