In April 2025, just a year ago, Richard Pitino walked into the Cintas Center with no returning scholarship players, a roster assembled from scratch, and a preseason poll that placed his Xavier Musketeers eighth in an eleven-team league. The Big East coaches, in their collective wisdom, had seen enough. This was a program in transition. A program that would need time.
Pitino did not ask for time. He asked for the portal window to open.
The transfer portal opened on April 7, 2026. Within eight days, Xavier secured four transfers: a frontcourt anchor from LSU, a sharpshooter from Texas A&M, a defensive specialist from Miami, and a combo guard from UAB who led the American Athletic Conference in assists. After finishing 15-18 in Pitino's first season, Xavier now enters the offseason recognized for assembling one of the nation's top transfer classes.
The portal window closes April 21. While Xavier has addressed key needs at guard and center, sources indicate the staff may still pursue a versatile wing or backup big to complete the roster. Several potential targets have emerged, fueling speculation among fans. As the deadline approaches, expect Xavier to remain proactive.
The Year That Came Before
To appreciate Xavier's current progress, it is important to recognize the challenges the program recently overcame.
When Pitino arrived in spring 2025, he inherited a roster with no returning scholarship letterwinners. Sean Miller had left for Texas immediately after the Musketeers' NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois, leaving the program without any returning scholarship players. According to the Xavier athletics department, this was the first time in program history an incoming head coach faced such circumstances.
Pitino assembled a new team, finishing 15-18 overall and 6-14 in the Big East. The season included a 41-point loss to Creighton, the largest in Cintas Center history, but also a victory over Cincinnati in the Crosstown Shootout and a Big East Tournament win against Marquette. While the wins were limited, the experience provided valuable lessons.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Pitino closely evaluated his roster, the league, and the transfer portal. When the portal opened at the start of the 2026 offseason, he acted quickly to strengthen the team.
The Frontcourt Anchor: Mike Nwoko
The first commitment arrived on April 8, 2026, when LSU center Mike Nwoko chose Xavier just one day after entering the portal with a 'Do Not Contact' tag, which did not deter the Musketeers.
Nwoko is a 6-10, 261-pound junior from Toronto who started every game at LSU last season, averaging 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shooting 61 percent. He had five 20-point games and improved to 76.1 percent at the free-throw line, scoring 16 against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament.
Xavier will be Nwoko's fourth school in as many years. While such movement once raised concerns, it now reflects his experience and growth at the highest levels of college basketball. Adjusting to a new team can be challenging, but Nwoko's background in adapting to various systems and locker rooms should help him integrate quickly and offer leadership to teammates facing similar transitions.
The Sharpshooter: Rubén Dominguez
On April 11, 2026, Xavier addressed a longstanding need by adding a shooter who consistently draws defensive attention beyond the arc.
Dominguez, a 6-6, 213-pound sophomore from Spain, started 27 of 34 games for Texas A&M, averaging 10.2 points and 86 threes on 40 percent shooting — fifth in the SEC. He made 2.53 threes a game and helped the Aggies reach the NCAA Tournament's second round.
"He is one of the best three-point shooters in the country," Pitino said, "and was an integral part of an NCAA Tournament team last year."
Dominguez brings the confidence of a player experienced in major conference play. For a Xavier offense that ranked 185th nationally in offensive rating last season, his shooting will force defenders to extend coverage, opening driving lanes and stretching the floor. His ability to create space aligns with Pitino's up-tempo, guard-driven system, enabling the team to play at a faster pace and keep defenses off balance.
The Reunion: Tru Washington
The third commitment, announced April 13, 2026, carried the most personal history.
Washington, a 6-4, 204-pound guard from Phoenix, played for Pitino at New Mexico and later Miami, where he averaged 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and shot 44.3 percent for a tournament team. He led Miami with 56 steals.
Washington is known primarily for his defense, having established this reputation through four years of consistent performance. He made game-winning free throws in Miami's comeback at NC State and scored 17 points off the bench in the ACC Tournament win over Louisville. His presence consistently makes teams more competitive.
He is also familiar with Pitino's system, expectations, and team culture. This familiarity is valuable both on the court and in the locker room, providing continuity as the program continues to develop.
The Closer: Chance Westry
The fourth commitment, announced Wednesday, may be the most impactful addition.
Westry, a 6-6, 190-pound guard from Harrisburg, began his career at Auburn as a four-star recruit. After missing two seasons due to knee injuries at Auburn and Syracuse, he completed his first full healthy season at UAB this year.
Westry averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 32 games, shooting 48.7 percent from the field. He led the American Athletic Conference in assists. He was named second-team all-conference. He is rated the No. 34 overall prospect in the 2026 transfer portal by 247Sports.
With Westry, Xavier gains a lead guard capable of scoring, creating, defending, and playing at the pace Pitino's system demands. Last season, the Musketeers ranked 311th nationally in defensive rating. Pairing Westry with Washington provides the program with two of its most disruptive on-ball defenders in recent years.
What Pitino Has Built
Xavier returns Jovan Milicevic, who averaged 12.4 points and made 67 three-pointers last season. Pitino brought him from New Mexico, and he now enters his junior year. Gabriel Pozzato, who missed last season due to a knee injury after averaging nearly 15 points per game as a freshman at Evansville, is healthy and returns to the lineup. Three high school signees join the roster, increasing competition for rotation minutes. Guards Elijah Carson and DeShawn Lewis, both capable contributors, will compete for roles alongside the new arrivals. Versatile forward Tyler Grant, who provided energy in limited appearances last season, could secure a key reserve role. With increased depth, preseason camp will feature intense competition for playing time. The four incoming transfers—a proven SEC center, a top SEC three-point shooter, a defensive specialist familiar with Pitino, and the AAC's leading assist provider—further strengthen the roster.
Pitino has a proven track record. At New Mexico, he inherited a program ranked 294th nationally and transformed it into a Mountain West regular-season champion with consecutive top-50 finishes and NCAA Tournament appearances. He achieved this by recruiting players who fit his high-tempo, defensive-minded, guard-driven system and developing them rapidly.
Last year, the Musketeers were projected to finish eighth in the Big East. With the addition of proven high-major transfers and returning talent, Xavier is now expected to make a significant leap in the conference standings. Early projections place the Musketeers in the top four of the Big East and firmly in the NCAA Tournament conversation for 2026. For the first time in years, fans can anticipate Xavier contending for a top league position and potentially gaining national attention in March.
Stay tuned for what's next.