1.) Greg Gordon – UAB
Prior to arriving at Iona ahead of the 2023/24 season, Gordon was one of the top JUCO recruits in all of college basketball having emerged from Dyersburg, a community college in western Tennessee. There, Gordon averaged a double-double with 23.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG and 2.0 APG on his way to be selected as a two-time NJCAA Division I All-American and the 2022/23 TCCAA Offensive Player of the Year.
Despite interest from high-major programs, Gordon opted to join the Gaels and while he only made 24 appearances due to personal reasons, the Chicago, IL native showed his development at the DI level early on.
In his lone season in New Rochelle, NY, Gordon averaged 16.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 1.5 STLPG as Iona’s primary offensive threat despite a lackluster first season for head coach Tobin Anderson. Gordon’s a productive and athletic scorer who excels at getting to the basket and his influence was evident last season with the Gaels struggling after his exit from the program.
Undoubtedly, to be the primary ball handler for UAB Gordon is going to need to improve as a passer and ultimately his defense is inefficient for an oversized guard. However, head coach Andy Kennedy’s scheme has previously worked well with highly skilled offensive guards and Gordon absolutely fits that build.
2.) Jevon Porter – Loyola Marymount
Despite so much talent gracing Pepperdine’s roster over the past two seasons, the Waves have struggled as a program amassing just a combined 22-42 record from 2022-2024. While its been an uphill climb for Pepperdine, undoubtedly one of the bight spots has been the development of the 6-foot-11 Porter who’s been a consistent contributor amidst the turmoil.
Averaging 12.1 PPG and 7.2 RPG while starting all 31 contests for the Waves during the 2022/23 campaign, Porter was selected to the WCC All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, his offensive abilities only improved, averaging a career-high 16.2 PPG while adding 1.0 BKPG on the defensive end.
Possibly nowhere in college basketball will you find a more skilled 6-foot-11 big man than Porter and while his development would suggest he could have played for a high-major program he’ll instead take his talents to Loyola Marymount.
The Lions have found some success during Stan Johnson’s tenure as head coach and with an opportunity to stay in conference, Porter already looks like a potential breakout star for the LMU next season.