ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jake Hall is coming back to New Mexico after a brief stay in the transfer portal. The move returns a key player to the Lobos. Hall said he did not want to leave without a championship.

Hall cited family ties, his bond with coach Olen and unfinished goals as reasons to return. He said those factors pushed him to come back to Albuquerque.

Hall also talked about reaching out to other programs before his decision. “You know, it was hard. I mean, at the end of the day, I thought I learned a lot from being able to, you know, talk to these schools, talk to these coaches and, you know, kind of bring back feedback,” Hall said. “And ultimately, I think our timelines just didn’t line up with each other.”

He said the conversation with coach Olen helped. “And, you know, I’m super grateful that Olen took it the way he did and, you know, offered open arms back,” Hall said. “And, you know, I just thought this was the right decision at this point in my career.”

Hall believes the program is heading in the right direction. “And with those people, in the New Mexico building, like, they’re building something special over there,” Hall said. “You know, I got big goals and aspirations for myself as well.”

The Lobos get a familiar player back for the run ahead. Hall says he still wants to win before he leaves. The team and fans will watch how this decision plays out next season.