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Breaking: Texas lands hoops transfer David Punch

Texas has secured the commitment of transfer forward David Punch, addressing one of its most significant roster needs for the 2026-27 season. Punch went public with his commitment Sunday night, posting the news on Instagram.

A national top-100 recruit out of Harker Heights in the 2024 class, Punch joins the Longhorns after two seasons at TCU. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-7-inch, 245-pound Punch was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, averaging 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

Punch gives Texas a presence at the power forward spot it lacked during its run to the Sweet 16 in Sean Miller’s first season.

Along with his ability to keep the ball moving on offense, Punch should immediately help the Longhorns improve on the defensive end of the floor. Punch blocked 66 shots and recorded 45 steals in 34 games; Punch doubled Matas Vokietaitis’ team-leading 33 blocked shots this past season and only Dailyn Swain’s 59 steals topped Punch’s totals among Texas players.

The addition of Punch and the return of Vokietaitis give the Longhorns two tremendous frontcourt pieces for Miller’s second season. Currently, with Swain making himself eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, Texas has four starting spots penciled in for next season: Punch, Vokietaitis, Colorado transfer guard Isaiah Johnson and McDonald’s All-American guard Austin Goosby.

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

MikeH

Supporters

Man, what a monster frontcourt from a physicality standpoint. Fired up to see what else they can add. Miller is loading up!

BabyBevo

Supporters

What a weekend!! 

Joe Zura

Supporters
10 minutes ago, hookem1014 said:

@Joe Zura has yall blocked

Assault 

horn1

Members

Great pickup. Kinda reminds me of a Gabe Muoneke type player. Not quite the freakish athlete Muoneke was, but a very good athlete, very physical bruiser inside, very good passer. Good IQ. Thick ass legs.

Will make Matas & the team better because of his passing ability & high IQ. 

I wanna see how his defensive game translates to the SEC. 

Brett

Members
7 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

yes

Are we still getting that kam Taylor kid on campus?

Longhorn nation

Supporters

Is 
Neoklis Avdalas our top target for swain replacement 

THookem

Supporters

Can you tell us who will be next? 

Brett

Members
Just now, Longhorn nation said:

Is 
Neoklis Avdalas our top target for swain replacement 

No

hookemhorns15

Supporters

Gerry can you explain how Punch will fit with Matas. Is there no concern over having a 4man that can't stretch the floor / provide an outside shooting presence and give Matas room to operate?

Jordan91

Supporters
17 minutes ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

Yes, I cannot believe this.  That surprise Sweet Sixteen run was huge for this program.  The checkbooks are open wide and they smell blood.  Going all in for Miller like they did for Sark.

I think that team is really going to be remembered for starting this. 

Jordan91

Supporters
8 minutes ago, horn1 said:

Great pickup. Kinda reminds me of a Gabe Muoneke type player. Not quite the freakish athlete Muoneke was, but a very good athlete, very physical bruiser inside, very good passer. Good IQ. Thick ass legs.

Will make Matas & the team better because of his passing ability & high IQ. 

I wanna see how his defensive game translates to the SEC. 

Well Punch certainly describes Muoneke. 

TexasFanatic

Supporters
27 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Texas will be a top 10 ranked team preseason ... mark this one. 

They are far from done

Any chance they go after the VT kid? 

Brett

Members
1 minute ago, TexasFanatic said:

Any chance they go after the VT kid? 

they are not going after him 

NothinButDaHorns34

Supporters

A 6-7 guy who specializes in shot blocking? I love it. Hopefully we can get a back up big man who’s a rebounding and shot blocking fool

ChanmanV

Supporters
(edited)

Great pickup. He plays similar to a poor man's Cam Boozer. That physicality is going to go well with Matas. We should bully some teams now. 

Edited by ChanmanV

MikeH

Supporters
12 minutes ago, Longhorn nation said:

Is 
Neoklis Avdalas our top target for swain replacement 

I love Avdalas, but he doesn't really fit with the other pieces they've collected to this point. Ideal situation would be a 3&D wing to fill out the starting five and then some depth.

LonghornFan4Ever

Supporters
4 minutes ago, ChanmanV said:

Great pickup. He plays similar to a poor man's Cam Boozer. That physicality is going to go well with Matas. We should bully some teams now. 

I was watching some Cam Boozer highlights earlier today and thinking the same thing.  Similar build to Boozer too.  If Punch adds a consistent 3-point shot, that will make Texas' offense even scarier next season.

  • Moderators
20 minutes ago, Longhorn nation said:

Is 
Neoklis Avdalas our top target for swain replacement 

Not likely. Not unlimited $$$ 

Texas still has a plan if Swain ended up coming back. And one without him ... so it might play out into late May

  • Moderators

I'll say this ...

Texas really likes where John Clark is headed. 6-9 and strong. Can defend and rebound at the Texas level. Can play some backup 5 at times, but is more of a 4. Has to keep developing offensive game facing basket.

Lewis O. is a high-level shot blocker. So Texas thinks he can help in spurts after a summer of development. Legit 7-0.5 

 

  • Moderators
19 minutes ago, hookemhorns15 said:

Gerry can you explain how Punch will fit with Matas. Is there no concern over having a 4man that can't stretch the floor / provide an outside shooting presence and give Matas room to operate?

I would say ... I bet he improves shooting it from 3 next season in year three. They need him to be at 32-33% ... but Punch will absolutely help Matas maximize because he's a very good passer as a face up 4, and can put the ball on the deck vs. 4's to create rotation.

Texas will add another perimeter threat at guard. And Bo Ogden will absolutely provide perimeter threat in his double digit minute role year one. 

Brett

Members
2 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

I'll say this ...

Texas really likes where John Clark is headed. 6-9 and strong. Can defend and rebound at the Texas level. Can play some backup 5 at times, but is more of a 4. Has to keep developing offensive game facing basket.

Lewis O. is a high-level shot blocker. So Texas thinks he can help in spurts after a summer of development. Legit 7-0.5 

 

do you know who else Texas is looking at in the portal or just outside of that ( g league and international)

Jordan91

Supporters
4 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Not likely. Not unlimited $$$ 

Texas still has a plan if Swain ended up coming back. And one without him ... so it might play out into late May

Not easy handling that type of situation. 

  • Moderators
1 minute ago, Brett said:

do you know who else Texas is looking at in the portal or just outside of that ( g league and international)

That g-league guy isn't one factoring in for real - at this point. See if it changes

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