New Lobos Basketball Players Face Challenges of High Altitude and Expectations

New recruits for the University of New Mexico's basketball team were welcomed to the Lobo community with excitement this past week. Arriving at the Sunport on Sunday, they experienced enthusiastic greetings from fans eager for autographs and selfies. By Wednesday, media representatives flocked to the Pit for the team's inaugural summer practice, eager to capture the first glimpses of a squad that holds a special place in the hearts of local supporters.

However, just days into their journey, the newcomers were hit with a stark reality. Charisse Williams, the second-year strength and conditioning coach, took the team to the UNM track for an initial summer assessment: the dreaded mile run. Many of the freshmen, still adjusting to the thin air at an elevation of over a mile, found the task daunting. As they prepared, they were casually passed by Habtom Samuel, an accomplished collegiate runner gearing up for the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

After four grueling laps, the first to cross the finish line was freshman Dax Hall, clocking in at 5 minutes and 40 seconds, an impressive feat considering he had just returned from sea level in San Diego. He was closely followed by Uriah Tenette, Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi, and Rytis Petraitis, all of whom appeared less than thrilled with the intensity of their first workout. Coach Eric Olen noted, “They’re all feeling the elevation this week,” underscoring the adjustment period for the team.

Petraitis, who previously played at Air Force Academy and California, shared his motivations for joining UNM, emphasizing the unique culture surrounding Lobo basketball. “It’s fun to be a Lobo basketball player in Albuquerque, but that privilege doesn’t come without some lofty, maybe even mile-high expectations,” he remarked. He expressed a strong desire to compete in the NCAA Tournament, stating, “I want to win. I want to play in the (NCAA) Tournament. That’s my goal, that’s my dream.”

In addition to preparing for the upcoming season, the Lobos will participate in a four-team event in California this December, alongside Boise State, Oregon State, and Santa Clara. Specific dates for the games are set between December 21-23, although contracts are not yet signed.

For younger fans, Lobo basketball will host its first kids camp starting Monday, where boys and girls in grades one through eight can participate in activities at the Pit. A second camp is scheduled for late July, while a team camp for high school junior varsity and varsity squads will take place later this month. Additionally, former Lobo stars Donovan Dent and Dairese Gary will lead a separate kids camp in Ojo Caliente on June 15.