Texas basketball coach Sean Miller continued to rebuild his roster with the portal commitment of former TCU forward David Punch, according to a report by The Athletic.
The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Punch will likely step into the starting power forward role next to 7-foot post Matas Vokietaitis, who announced his decision to return to Texas Friday. Last season, Punch averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.98 blocks a game while becoming one of the Big 12’s best two-way power forwards.
Punch, who has two remaining years of eligibility, joins former Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson as the two portal players who have committed to Texas. Punch and Johnson ranked seventh and 12th, respectively, in ESPN’s list of the top 60 available transfers.
Miller and Texas general manager Chris Ogden still have some work to do since the Longhorns lost seven of the eight players in their rotation during an NCAA Tournament run that ended with a 79-77 loss to Purdue March 26 in the Sweet 16. Guards Tramon Mark, Chendall Weaver and Jordan Pope used up their eligibility, and Miller lost starting forward Cam Heide, reserve forward Nic Codie and reserve guard Simeon Wilcher to the transfer portal.
Forward Dailyn Swain declared for the NBA draft after an All-SEC junior season.
But a starting rotation is starting to take shape. Vokietaitis and Punch will likely start in the front court, and Johnson will likely start alongside 6-5 McDonald's All-American recruit Austin Goosby, the jewel of the Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class. A starting wing to replace the departed Swain seems like a top priority, along with guard depth.
A set of forwards in rising sophomore Declan Duru and rising redshirt freshmen John Clark and Lewis Obiorah are expected back, since none have yet announced any intentions to transfer. Incoming freshman Coleman Elkins will be another forward on next year’s roster.
Miller will also welcome in two more freshmen in shooting guards Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling. Ogden, the son of Texas general manager Chris Ogden, recently earned the All-CenTex player of the year award from the Austin American-Statesman after leading Westlake High School to the state tournament.