HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse men's basketball announced its third addition of the 2026 offseason on Sunday, as NKU signed transfer forward Noah Pagotto. The Wollongong, Australia native most recently played at East Texas A&M. 

"Noah brings much-needed size, physical toughness, and experience on the interior," stated Norse head coach Darrin Horn. "In addition, he is versatile and has a great feel and IQ required for our bigs because of how they are used both inside and on the perimeter. We expect him to excel as one of our bigs who can post, make shots, and make plays and decisions with the ball."

Pagotto spent his freshman and sophomore campaigns at West Texas A&M before transferring to East Texas A&M, where he spent the 2025-26 season. Pagotto made 32 appearances and 22 starts with the Lions, playing 26.1 minutes per game and posting 10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Pagotto shot 55.1% from the field and 37.3% from three on 1.6 attempts per game, and 76.8% from the free-throw line. Pagotto put up a trio of double-doubles last season, all in conference wins, including a 12-point, 14-rebound effort. He tied a career-high with 26 points on 11-14 shooting with eight rebounds in a late-season game against Incarnate Word, reflective of his play over the second half of the season. In all games after the calendar turned to 2026, Pagotto averaged 12.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the floor. 

In Pagotto's sophomore campaign, the 6'8" forward earned Lone Star Conference Second Team All-Conference and Academic Player of the Year honors, while also being named a CSC Academic All-American with the West Texas A&M Buffaloes. Pagotto averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 31 starts, shooting 48.6% from the floor. He scored 20-plus points four times, including 26 points twice. He helped guide the Buffaloes to a 19-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his sophomore campaign. As a freshman at West Texas A&M, Pagotto was a key player off the bench, as he averaged 5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds as he appeared in all 35 games on the season, helping the Buffaloes clinch a Lone Star Conference regular season title and an appearance in the Final Four. 

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