Freshman Dorsey decides to opt out

He’s the third Lobo to leave since August

Freshman point guard Nolan Dorsey has become the third University of New Mexico men’s basketball player since midAugust to opt out, citing the unusual COVID-related circumstances surrounding the UNM basketball season.

Dorsey, who did not accompany the team to this week’s twogame series in Fresno, Calif., posted on social media on Saturday morning he would be leaving the team and transferring.

“Upon consideration of my well-being, I have decided to opt out of this season and will be entering the transfer portal. Thank you UNM and Lobo Nation,” Dorsey posted on his Twitter account.

The 6-foot-5-inch freshman from Knightdale, N.C., played in eight of UNM’s 15 games, scoring in one (seven points in the second half of the Lobos’ 36-point loss to Utah State on Jan. 8). He averaged 8.1 minutes and 0.9 points per game.

In mid-August, senior guard Zane Martin, who would have been the team’s leading returning scorer, announced he was transferring, citing the uncertainty at that time around whether there would even be a season for the Lobos due to New Mexico’s public health order.

Earlier this month, senior guard Keith McGee, citing concerns for his mental well-being related to the team being relocated out of the state to practice and play games this season, announced he was opting out of the season.

He has not said if he plans to transfer.

The NCAA has ruled the 202021 season one that won’t count toward the playing eligibility of any player, so Dorsey will still have four years of playing eligibility wherever he ends up.