Portal Potpourri
As it relates to BYU Basketball
It was in October of 2018 that the NCAA allowed and instigated the now famous or infamous Transfer Portal.
Here is how it has impacted BYU Basketball since its inception for incoming transfer players.
2019-2000: Wyatt Lowell - UVU, Alex Barcello - Arizona, Jake Toolson - UVU, Jesse Wade - Gonzaga
2020-2021: Matt Harms - Purdue, Brandon Averett - UVU/OK State - Gideon George, New Mexico Military JC - Spencer Johnson - SLCC
2021-2022: Te’Jon Lucas - Milwaukee/Illinois - Seneca Knight - San Jose State/LSU
2022-2023: Noah Waterman - Louisville/BYU/Detroit Mercy/Niagra- Aly Khalifa - Louisville/BYU/Charlotte - Jaxson Robinson - Kentucky/BYU/Arkansas/Texas A&M, Dawson Baker - BYU/UC Irvine
2023-2024: Mawot Mag/Rutgers, Kanon Catchings/Purdue, Keba Keita/Utah
2024-2025: Kenard Davis/Southern Illinois, Dominique Diamonde/Washington, Tyler Mrus/Idaho/Alaska Anchorage, Nate Pickens/ UC Riverside, Robert Wright/Baylor
Based on the above information, it seems likely that transfers incoming to BYU Basketball and outgoing to other schools will continue like clockwork.
So, is it too early to be scouting for potential transfer prospects now even if you don’t know who the potential portal prospects will be for the coming year?
I don’t think so and, in my opinion, apparently neither does Kevin Young. He and his brother Justin, also on the current basketball staff, both were in Switzerland this past week for this tournament shown below.
Just my opinion, but I don’t think they weren’t there to scout AJ Debantsa who was voted MVP of said tournament which was won by team USA.
There were several other teammates who are currently rostered on other college teams. It would never hurt to scout those teammates in case one shows up in the portal next season. Plus, who wouldn’t enjoy a few days in Switzerland?
Just in case, I’m casually going to keep tabs on the following: Mikel Brown Jr., at Louisville, Koa Peat at Arizona, JJ Mandaquit at Washington, Jasper Johnson, Kentucky, Morez Johnson Jr. at Michigan, Nikolas Khamenia, at Duke and Daniel Jacobsen, at Purdue.
If you are interested in the tourney stats for our guy AJ, the MVP of the tourney, here they are:
I’m Still of the Opinion that McCae Hillstead will be the Starting QB for BYU to Open the Season
I also like it when someone else agrees with me.