New Zealand big brings size, efficiency, and playmaking to Steve Lutz’s frontcourt as Cowboys continue portal haul for 2026-27
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State basketball coach Steve Lutz continued reshaping his roster on April 27, landing Georgetown transfer center Julius Halaifonua out of the portal.
The 7-foot-0, 259-pound sophomore from Auckland, New Zealand, committed to the Cowboys over reported interest from schools including BYU, North Carolina, and Villanova. Halaifonua has two years of eligibility remaining and becomes the fifth transfer portal addition for the 2026-27 season.
In his sophomore campaign with the Hoyas in 2025-26, Halaifonua started 28 of 32 games and averaged 9.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.3 steals in 19.8 minutes per game. He shot an efficient 60.8% from the field, 27.3% from three (on limited attempts), and 74.7% from the free-throw line. His breakout included a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the Big East tournament quarterfinal upset over Villanova.
As a freshman in 2024-25, he played just six games before a foot injury, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.2 minutes.
Born May 9, 2006, Halaifonua attended Rosmini College in Auckland before joining the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. There he averaged 12.8 points per game on 57% shooting across 16 games and earned MVP honors at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta.
He represented New Zealand internationally, earning silver at the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship (9.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG), placing third at the 2022 U16 Asia Championship (12.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG), and competing in the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup (10.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 BPG in the latter).
Scouts praise Halaifonua’s basketball IQ, passing vision, and footwork for a player his size. He excels as a post scorer with soft touch around the rim, using drop steps, hooks, and fadeaways, while serving as a pick and roll pro who reads defenses and delivers timely passes.
Though he doesn’t have crazy bounce, his mobility, physicality, and high release make him effective in the paint and as a secondary creator. Defensively, he provides rim protection and battles on the glass.
This skill set meshes well with Steve Lutz’s schemes at Oklahoma State. Lutz’s teams emphasize toughness, ball movement, and competing in the Big 12.
Halaifonua adds a true interior anchor and efficient finisher, complementing returning bigs while providing variety in the frontcourt. His passing fits an up-tempo, read and react offense, and his length adds to help defense and rebounding, areas Lutz has targeted for improvement.
As the tallest player on the roster, he gives the Cowboys a rim running, paint protecting presence that can punish mismatches and open driving lanes for guards.
Halaifonua joins a new transfer class that already includes wing Luka Bogavac (North Carolina), defensive standout Kashie Natt (Sam Houston), guard Jacob Walker (Sam Houston), and stretch forward Andrija Grbovic (Arizona State). The addition brings OSU’s projected roster to 13 players, five via the portal plus four high school signees, giving Lutz depth and experience heading into 2026-27.
For Oklahoma State basketball, Halaifonua’s arrival significantly strengthens the paint in a conference that rewards size and physicality. He should immediately contend for starting minutes, boosting scoring efficiency inside, rebounding, and defensive versatility. With proven production against Power conference competition and international pedigree, the almost 20 year old provides Lutz with a high floor piece who can develop into a leader and two-way force over the next two seasons.
Cowboy fans can expect Halaifonua to bring international grit and polished big-man skills to Gallagher-Iba Arena. In an almost completely new roster phase under Lutz, this move signals a clear commitment to building a frontcourt that can bang with the Big 12’s best.