Picture this: a college basketball practice grinding to a halt as the whole team drops what they're doing just to gawk at one guy's shooting prowess. That's the electrifying scene unfolding at Texas A&M, where newcomer Ruben Dominguez is turning heads with his jaw-dropping three-point accuracy. But here's where it gets controversial – is this the real deal, or just preseason hype that could fizzle out under game pressure? Stick around, because this story dives deep into how a Spanish sensation might just redefine the Aggies' game.
In College Station, tales from the court don't usually leave jaws on the floor, but that's exactly what happened during Wednesday's session at Reed Arena. Texas A&M guard Marcus Hill couldn't believe his eyes – or his teammate's shots. He reported that Dominguez, the team's fresh addition, nailed an astonishing 80 out of 85 attempts from beyond the arc in their very first practice of the season. For beginners in basketball, that's like sinking nearly every long-range shot in a row, a feat that demands pinpoint precision and confidence, especially in a sport where three-pointers are worth more points and can swing games.
Dominguez, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 213 pounds, hails from Puerto Real, Spain, and arrived in Texas to shine under new head coach Bucky McMillan's innovative 'Bucky Ball' philosophy. This style emphasizes relentless defense, a blistering fast pace, and a barrage of three-point tries to overwhelm opponents. Hill's account of Dominguez's performance sounded almost too good to be true, like something out of a highlight reel rather than a routine workout.
'Everyone's got their eyes on him,' Hill shared that day. 'His form is flawless. We were all like, "Did that just happen?" Our drills came to a screeching halt so we could watch him in action.'
The NCAA has awarded Dominguez two seasons of eligibility, a nod to his international background. Before joining the Aggies, he suited up for a year in Spain's premier professional league with Surne Bilbao Basket. On the global stage, Dominguez racked up impressive numbers: averaging 13 points per game with a solid 42.3% shooting clip across 35 appearances for Spain. This skill set could be a game-changer for a Texas A&M squad that ranked just 15th in the SEC last year for three-point shooting, hitting only 30.7% from deep. To put that in perspective, three-point shooting is crucial in modern basketball because it stretches defenses, creates open lanes for drives, and can lead to easy baskets – think of it as the high-risk, high-reward strategy that separates good teams from great ones.
Reflecting on his talent, Dominguez explained, 'Even as a child, it felt instinctive. I put in endless hours refining my shot, and eventually, it just clicked effortlessly.'
Coach McMillan doesn't mince words: Dominguez is 'one of the world's elite shooters.' The 'Bucky Ball' approach, which McMillan brought from Samford, is all about that aggressive flair. In the 2023-2024 season, the Bulldogs soared to fifth in the nation for scoring, pumping in 86.1 points per game on average. They also cracked the top 10 in three-point percentage (fifth at 39.5%), fast-break points (seventh with 15.20 per game), and effective field goal percentage (eighth at 58.1%). Effective field goal percentage, for those new to the stats, accounts for the extra value of three-pointers, giving a clearer picture of shooting efficiency.
Slotting in the 22-year-old Dominguez seems like a seamless match for this revamped Aggies identity. 'Ruben's renowned as Spain's top marksman,' McMillan noted. 'In fact, he's among the best globally. We scouted him closely, and he needed a system that matched his playstyle – and we've consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for three-point attempts.'
In his recent international competitions, Dominguez connected on 41% of his threes over two tournaments. During his stint with Bilbao Basket, he contributed 7.6 points and snagged 1.8 rebounds in just 16 minutes per outing. For the last six years, he's represented Spain at the under-16 and under-20 levels, helping the team claim gold at the 2019 U16 Euro Championship and the 2022 U20 event. In 2019, he even earned MVP honors, showcasing his early promise.
Dominguez isn't the only fresh face shaking things up; he's part of a wave of 14 newcomers flooding the A&M roster, with 14 others departing via transfers or graduation. Forward Chris McDermott is the lone survivor from the old guard. McMillan, who started his role in College Station on April 5 after a late hire, still orchestrated a transfer class ranked 20th by 247Sports. This haul includes seven players from Power Four conferences, one from Samford alongside McMillan, and the rest from mid-major or lower-tier programs.
Teammates like Hill, transferring from North Carolina State, and Mackenzie Mgbako – the highest-rated recruit ever to join A&M after his time at Indiana – are already buzzing about Dominguez's early impact. And this is the part most people miss: with such a roster overhaul, will the chemistry gel, or could the influx of new talent lead to growing pains?
The big question looms: Can Dominguez keep up this sharpshooting magic when the real season kicks off on November 3 against Northwestern State? His practice feats might sound like tall tales, but McMillan provides some grounding context.
'He drained 74 threes straight,' the coach recalled. 'Then the next day, he followed up with 73 in a row. That's not just good – it's extraordinary. We're not out here playing HORSE, but if we were, we'd dominate.'
For those unfamiliar, HORSE is a shooting game where players take turns making shots, and misses add letters to spell out the word – a fun way to build skills and confidence.
As the Aggies gear up for this bold new era, one can't help but wonder: Will Dominguez's international pedigree translate seamlessly to college hoops, or is there a risk of culture shock in the SEC's intense environment? And here's where it gets controversial – some might argue that relying heavily on a shooter's hot streak ignores the need for balanced play, potentially leaving the team vulnerable if defenses adapt. What do you think? Is Dominguez poised to be a superstar, or could this be another case of preseason optimism fading? Do you believe the transfer portal is revolutionizing college basketball for the better, or is it creating instability? Share your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear your take!
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more updates. Your subscription supports stories like this – check out our special offer for access to all our premium content.
October 9, 2025
Texas A&M Beat Reporter
Tony Catalina covers Texas A&M for the Austin American-Statesman. He previously reported on the Dallas Cowboys for Pro Football Network and contributed to the New England Football Journal.
