With the NBA announcing the official invitees for the NBA Draft Combine and that deadline to return to school inching closer and closer we’ve seen multiple big-time names declare their transfer destinations for next season over the last few days and heading into the weekend was no different. The Portal Report has you covered with all the latest news and highlights from Friday’s transfer portal movement.
Commitments
Three-time All-Atlantic-10 selection Kyle Lofton has announced he will use his additional year of eligibility and transfer to the SEC to join first-year Florida head coach Todd Golden. The former four-year starter at St. Bonaventure, Lofton averaged 13.9 PPG and 5.2 APG during his Bonnies career and as a senior was on the National Player of the Year and Point Guard of the Year Awards watch lists.
Former top-100 prospect Tre Mitchell will transfer a second time and has signed with West Virginia after averaging 14.7 PPG and 6 RPG across three seasons with UMass and Texas. The 2019-20 A-10 Rookie of the Year, Mitchell was dominant in his time with the Minutemen managing 18.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG as a sophomore but struggled towards the end of last season with the Longhorns as his production slumped.
Transferring for the third time, former Mount St. Mary’s, Siena, and Georgetown standout Donald Carey has announced that he’ll stay in the area but move to the Big Ten with Maryland. A 6-foot-5 guard, Carey averaged 13.5 PPG and 4.4 RPG under head coach Patrick Ewing and will use his last year of eligibility in college park next season.
Arkansas and head coach Eric Musselman continue with the offseason additions by adding 2021-22 AAC Sixth Man of the Year and AAC All-Freshman selection Ricky Council IV to the roster. A 6-foot-6 guard, Council averaged 12 PPG and 5.4 RPG coming off the bench last season with Wichita State.
Marking St. Bonaventure’s second transfer portal loss of the day, 6-foot-10 center Osun Osunniyi has announced he’ll be heading to Iowa State ahead of the 2022-23 college basketball season. The two-time A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, A-10 Tournament MVP, and three-time All A-10 selection averaged 11.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 2.9 BKPG last season and was a four-year starter with the Bonnies.
After struggling for minutes with Auburn and then transferring to South Alabama where he averaged 12.2 PPG and 7.8 RPG, Javon Franklin is transferring once again and has signed with Georgia Tech. A 6-foot-7 forward, Franklin shot 66% from the field last season and was a top-20 scorer in the Sun Belt Conference.
Following four seasons in the Big Ten, Ohio State sharpshooter Justin Ahrens is heading to Loyola Marymount with his last year of eligibility. Across 114 career appearances with the Buckeyes, Ahrens averaged only 4.3 PPG and 1.9 RPG while shooting just under 40% from three but can score in huge numbers highlighted by a 29-point performance against Iowa as a freshman.
2021-22 AAC Defensive Player of the Year Dexter Dennis will be joining Texas A&M as head coach Buzz Williams continues to build on an already exciting offseason transfer class. Dennis averaged 8.4 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1 BKPG with the Wichita State Shockers and adds to a great backcourt forming in College Station, TX.
Returnees
After sitting out the 2021-22 season with an ACL injury, Adam Miller will be withdrawing from the transfer portal and returning to LSU. The former top-50 prospect averaged 8.3 PPG and 2.8 RPG as a freshman starter at Illinois and if healthy will be a huge piece for the Tigers heading into next season.
