It was an emotional Friday night at Viejas Arena as San Diego State honored its 2026 senior class before their final home game in front of the Aztec faithful.
Seniors Miles Byrd, Jeremiah Oden, Reese Dixon-Waters, Cam Lawin and Sean Newman Jr. were all recognized during the pregame ceremony, each taking a moment to reflect on their time in the program while receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd.
The night ended the way the Aztecs hoped it would, with a win.
San Diego State held off conference rival UNLV in a tightly-contested matchup, securing an 89–86 victory to send its seniors out in style during their final game at Viejas Arena.
Reese Dixon-Waters led the way among the seniors, finishing with 19 points and playing a key role in helping the Aztecs close out the victory. After the game, he reflected on what his time in the program meant to him.
“It means a lot coming from another program. It was pretty different. It was more of a family vibe here,” he said. “I’m very thankful for my time here.”
Dixon-Waters also spoke about the biggest lesson he learned during his time as an Aztec.
“I would say, just take it day by day, not look into the future. The future is not promised.”
The senior class leaves behind a meaningful legacy within the program. Byrd was a member of the Aztecs roster that made the historic run to the national championship game, one of the greatest seasons in program history. Oden brought toughness and veteran leadership to the lineup during his time with the Aztecs, while Dixon-Waters provided explosive scoring after transferring into the program from USC. Lawin, a walk-on, became a fan favorite for the high energy he brought in limited minutes, making the most of every opportunity he got on the floor. Newman Jr., in his first season with the program, stepped into the role of floor general off the bench, helping run the offense and providing steady leadership at the point guard position. Each one of these Aztecs left their mark on the program in a unique fashion.
Head coach Brian Dutcher praised the senior group for both their impact on the court and the example they set off it.
“Proud of all of them, what they’ve meant to this program, the class that they’ve lived their lives as students, athletes and good people. That’s the perfect combination.”
For Dutcher, the result made the night even more special.
“It’s a great way to send our five seniors out.”
While their time at Viejas Arena has come to an end, the senior class still has unfinished business. With the regular season wrapping up, the Aztecs now turn their focus toward the postseason. They head to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Tournament, hoping to extend their time in an Aztec uniform for a few more games and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament later this month.
Regardless of how far this senior class goes, Friday night served as a celebration of a group that helped carry on the legacy of Aztec basketball.
