Robert Vaihola, a 6-foot-8 forward and center from San Mateo, will return to the San José State men’s basketball team for the 2026-27 season, head coach Tim Miles announced on May 19. Vaihola previously played for the Spartans in the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons before transferring to Minnesota.
Vaihola is notable as the first player to transfer back into the Spartans’ program since the NCAA introduced its transfer portal in 2018. He joins San José State as a senior after appearing and starting in five games at Minnesota during the previous season.
During his earlier time with San José State, Vaihola contributed significantly. In his most recent season with the Spartans (2024-25), he started all 31 games, averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting .536 from the field. His performance helped lead the team to its first National Invitation Tournament appearance since 1981. In conference play that year, he averaged among the top rebounders in both total and offensive boards within Mountain West competition.
Vaihola ranks tenth all-time at SJSU in career blocks and has recorded seven double-doubles as a Spartan. His collegiate career began at Fresno State before moving on to San José State and then Minnesota.
Coach Tim Miles said about Vaihola: “We are thrilled to bring Rob back home to SJSU. In Rob’s two playing seasons as a Spartan, he helped lead the program to 36 wins, the first two Mountain West tournament wins in school history, and two postseason appearances. Rob is a winner both on and off the court.”
Vaihola graduated from Archbishop Riordan High School.
