College Basketball Transfer Portal: (4/8/20)

College Basketball Transfer Portal: (4/8/20)

It just doesn't stop. We're into Wednesday this week and the movement in the transfer portal in college basketball is heating up again. There are now 688 transfers as of 4pmET on Wednesday, April 8. Now, the biggest news to come out today was that Duke transfer Alex O'Connell selected Creighton as his next school.

Let's take a look at the key players that entered the portal on Wednesday, April 8.

Here are the key players who have left their program according to media reports, Verbal Commits.com, Rotowire.com, Twitter and other social media and the latest ones who committed to a school. 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.

April 8 (before 4pmET)

G Jair Bodden (6-3, 215). Former school: South Carolina (8.5ppg). New school: ?

Comments: Bodden played two seasons at George Washington, averaging 11.2 points per game as a sophomore. He averaged 8.5pg and 41.2% 3pt shooting with South Carolina last season. Should have some mid-major interest as a grad transfer.

C Dawson Carper (7-0, 250). Former school: Hawaii (6ppg, 3.9rpg). New school: Missouri State.

Comments: The big man from Colorado Springs will have two seasons left. He improved in his sophomore season with Hawaii and will have to sit out a season. It's never a bad thing to take a chance on a 7-footer.

F Samba Diallo (6-7, 195). Former school: UMass (6.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 43.1% FG). New school: Manhattan.

Comments: Diallo should flourish in the MAAC, after playing significant minutes in the Atlantic 10. At least Manhattan knows, they'll be getting a good rebounder. He does need to work on his three-point shot.

G Kevin Johnson (6-0, 160). Former school: Nicholls (9.8ppg, 3.9apg). New school: ?

Comments: Johnson has just one year left and should have some suitors. He a better season as a sophomore when he dished out 5.1 assists. This year, he improved hit three-point shot (36.4%) and also shot 81.5% from the line.

C Hayden Koval (7-0, 220). Former school: Central Arkansas (12.2pg, 7.6rpg, 3.1rpg). New school: ?

Comments: Koval is getting serious interest and it's understandable. He's a 7-foot grad transfer, terrific shot blocker and can shoot the three.

G Jhery Matos (6-4, 196). Former school: Dayton (1.8ppg). New school: Charlotte.

Comments: Matos struggled last season and played just 8.7 minutes per game on one of the premier teams in the nation. He has two seasons left and a move to Charlotte should help increase his playing time.

G Ja'Cor Nelson (6-3, 185). Former school: Campbell (7.5ppg). New school: ?

Comments: Nelson has played three years to he might be eligible right away. Not a good three-point shooter, but did average 1.6 steals per game. Might just be a rotation player somewhere.

F Alex O'Connell (6-6, 190). Former school: Duke (5.2ppg, 40.5% FG, 27.3% 3pt). New school: Creighton.

Comments: O'Connell will have just one year left, but apparently will have to sit out. He's a talented player that just never got more than 14 minutes per game at Duke and his shooting numbers have gone down in each season. But a very good pickup for Creighton.

G Deandre Thomas (6-4, 190). Former school: Samford (6.8ppg, 27.8% 3pt). New school: Mount St. Mary's.

Comments: Thomas has two seasons left and will likely have to sit out. He's from Richmond so he will play closer to home. Started 24 games last season and his shooting numbers were atrocious (34.9% FG).