College Basketball Transfer Portal: (3/31/20)
College Basketball Transfer Portal: (3/31/20)
There are few things that are percolating in the world of sports right now. One is the college basketball transfer portal. As of the last day of March, there are 572 college basketball players who have entered the transfer portal. About half of them have signed or at least agreed to move on with another program.
Many of these transfers have to sit out a year and some are grad transfers. The grad transfers don't have to sit out because they graduated at their current school and have a year (or two years) left of eligibility. Some of that could be due to injuries, while other players are on their second or even third program. There is a shot
We'll take a look at the key players that entered the portal on Tuesday, March 31. Some of these players have signed already. Some programs, like Maryland, have lost or about to lose their entire frontcourt. The Terps lost the Mitchell twins (both around 6-9) to Rhode Island and Ricky Lindo just announced he was transferring on Monday. Add a probable loss as Jason "Stix" Smith to the NBA and Maryland is going to be very active in the transfer portal. Most likely looking at players who are immediately eligible. However, there is still a shot that the NCAA decides to allow every transfer to become immediately eligible, so stay tuned for that potential bombshell. Some players can get a waiver from the NCAA to play right away.
Here are the key players who have left their program according to media reports, Verbal Commits.com, Rotowire.com, Twitter and other social media. Stay tuned as we will update this list every day and eventually compile the entire list of key players with their stats. Key players are listed in alphabetical order.
March 31
Andre Allen (6-9, 210). Former school: Arizona State. New school:?
Comment: Allen is a well-traveled big man who played in just for games for ASU. Came from Arizona Western, where he averaged 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds. Should be eligible right away.
Jonathan "Bernie" Andre (6-6, 210). Former school: Northern Arizona (11.2ppg, 6.5rpg). New school: Vermont.
Comment: The rich get richer because Andre will be available since he also played junior college basketball at Wallace State C.C. Big pickup for the Catamounts.
Destin Barnes (6-7, 215). Former school: Jacksonville (12.1ppg, 32.5% 3pt). New school: ?
Comment: A grad transfer, who started his career at Boston University.
J.J. Caldwell (6-1, 185). Former school: New Mexico (5.8ppg, 5.7apg, 2.2spg). New school: ?
Comment: A pretty talented point guard with a red flag. He was suspended in December due to an accusation of domestic battery and was reinstated, but never played again. Began his career at Texas A&M and already sat out one season. Will have to sit out again.
Carter Diarra (6-4, 185). Former school: Kansas State (13.3ppg, 4.2apg, 30.5% 3pt in 2019-20). New school: Virginia Tech.
Comment: Solid pick up for Hokies. They just lost guard Isaiah Wilkins and he can play right away.
Michael Flowers (6-1, 195). Former school: Western Michigan (16.9ppg, 42.8% FG, 36.8% 3pt). New school: ?
Comment: Very good guard for a MAC school with just one year left. Will get high-major looks.
Rey Idowu (6-9, 240). Former school: Illinois State (4.4ppg, 3.2rpg). New school: Tulsa.
Comment: Played two seasons so will need to sit out. Never bad taking a chance on a big man with some skills.
Teyvion Kirk (6-4, 185). Former school: Ohio U. (14.1ppg, 5.5rpg, 41.1% FG. New school: Illinois-Chicago.
Comment: This is a strange one. He originally transferred to Colorado State (never played) and will now go to Illinois-Chicago with two seasons left.
Miles Latimer (6-3, 190). Former school: Stony Brook (7ppg). New school: Bucknell.
Comment: Pretty good guard who had a better freshman season averaging 8.8 points. Will have two seasons left, but will need to sit out.
Charles Minlend (6-4, 208). Former school: San Francisco (14.5ppg, 29% 3pt). New school: ?
Comment: Talented guard who has one year left. Was second-team all-WCCC in 2018-19.
Aanen Moody (6-3, 175). Former school: North Dakota (6.6ppg). New school: ?
Comment: Guard played just nine games last season. In his freshman season, he shot 41% from beyond the arc and averaged 9.7 points in 2018-19.
Jeff Otchere (6-11, 243). Former school: Stony Brook (2.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5bpg). New school: ?
Comment: One year left for a defensive big man who can protect the rim and rebound. Also played junior college ball.
Koreem Ozier (6-1, 180). Former school: Sacred Heart (14ppg, 35.5% 3pt). New school:?
Comment: Productie guard with two years left. May want to go to a bigger school, but the NEC is pretty low as a conference.
Drew Peterson (6-8, 185). Former school: Rice (11.1ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.5apg, 32.8% 3pt). New school: ?
Comment: Solid wing who is very versatile and good passer. Has two years left.
Malik Riddle (6-4, 188). Former school: Morehead State (5.5ppg). New school: ?
Comment: Decent bench player who will have to sit out.
Isaiah Wilkins (6-4, 225). Former school: Virginia Tech (4.3ppg, 2.6rpg). New school: ?
Comment: Big guard who struggled with weight problems. Shot just 34% from the field. Will have to sit out the season.