Rock out: Lobos 7-1 center JT Rock announces he's entering transfer portal, second UNM big man leaving

For about seven hours on Sunday, JT Rock appeared to be the starting center of the UNM Lobos. Sunday morning brought with it the expected announcement of the team's starting big man, 6-foot-9 Tomislav Buljan of Croatia, announcing he was entering the NCAA's transfer portal with one season of eligibility left. UNM had been expecting the news for weeks, well aware of the bidding war on the way for Buljan.

And the huge strides made this season by the 7-1 Rock, the former top 100 high school recruit who spent the previous two seasons at Iowa State, made losing one starter less painful knowing they already had another on the roster. But Sunday night, shortly after 6 p. m.

, Rock dropped a surprise social media post of his own, thanking UNM, Lobo fans and head coach Eric Olen for the opportunity this past year afforded him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JT Rock (@jt_rock12) "Lobo Nation, I want to say thank you to everyone who has embraced me and welcomed me to New Mexico. I've thoroughly enjoyed representing this university, and the memories I have made here will be with me for the rest of my life.

I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. I would like to thank Coach (Eric) Olen and all of the UNM staff for helping me grow on and off the court. I am thankful for the relationships that I have built with my teammates and with the Lobo faithful.