New Mexico State’s most highly touted recruit this decade has entered the transfer portal as part of a mass exodus from a program that was shut down in midseason in the wake of hazing allegations and a fatal shooting involving a team member.

New Mexico State has hired longtime Sam Houston coach Jason Hooten to try to restore a program that was shut down in the middle of the season after one player was involved in a fatal shooting and another accused teammates of hazing.

An independent law firm investigating a fatal shooting by a New Mexico State basketball player recommended the school enhance its weapons policy and “strengthen a culture that encourages student-athletes to adhere to the integrity and values of NMSU at all times.”.

The chancellor at New Mexico State expressed his confidence in athletic director Mario Moccia less than a week after the men’s basketball team was shut down for what the chancellor said was a culture of bad behavior, egregious violations of the student code of conduct and other “despicable acts.”.

New Mexico State has fired basketball coach Greg Heiar in the wake of hazing allegations on the team that shut down the program for the rest of the season.

The chancellor at New Mexico State says players on the basketball team were interviewed by school personnel about an alleged hazing incident that led to the suspension of the program.

New Mexico State has suspended operations of its men’s basketball program placed its coaching staff on paid administrative leave due to allegations unrelated to a fatal shooting last year.