Reports: Texas hosting rising G Brendan Wenzel on Thursday

Currently at 13 scholarships for next season with Thursday’s declaration for the NBA Draft by freshman forward Jaxson Hayes, the Texas Longhorns are preparing for the possibility that someone on the current roster could transfer by hosting Helotes O’Connor shooting guard Brendan Wenzel on Thursday, according to Texas Top 100 and Ani Umana.

An unranked 6’6, 180-pounder, Wenzel originally signed with UTEP, but asked for and received his release when assistant coach Lamont Smith resigned following his implication in the college admissions bribery scandal that also resulted in the resignation of Texas men’s tennis coach Michael Center. Another Miners assistant coach was fired prior to Smith’s resignation.

Wenzel is now receiving interest from schools like Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, and SMU and also holds offers from Army and Incarnate Word. Texas assistant Darrin Horn made contact with Wenzel the day after he announced his release from UTEP.

What makes Wenzel appealing is combination of height and shooting ability. At 6’6, he has legitimate size for a college wing and has a pure, smooth stroke with virtually unlimited range and the ability to hit in catch-and-shoot situations and off the bounce.

As a senior at O’Connor, Wenzel averaged 24.1 points per game on 41 percent shooting from three-point range, according to MaxPreps.

“My decision is based on a school that has a good relationship with me and my family. Also somewhere where I know the staff is stable and will be at the school for some time,” Wenzel told 5statehoopreport.com. “Distance isn’t really an issue but I don’t want to go anywhere that’s really far away. My dream is to play in the NCAA Tournament and I would go somewhere that I can excel on the court but also have the chance to play in March.”