Portal Season 2025

[TopperNation]

I forget the name, but the player that transferred from Fairmont State a few years ago and was the first guy off the bench for Baylor's national championship team in 2021 sealed the deal for guys seeing that they could quickly jump from D2 to a great situation in D1. Of course, that was before the portal morphed into what it has become now, but you see the point.

The norm anymore is 3-4 schools for these basketball players. Just thinking about it for the individual on a personal level, I don't understand how you can take that approach - but they all do now. Picking up and moving (even as a college student) is hard. The logistics of that on a personal level have to be overwhelming. Academics aren't even part of the conversation anymore. I often catch myself wondering how an individual that goes between 4 schools in 4 years actually ever graduates. There's no chance all of their credits are transferring.

I think you are referring to Dale Bonner who played at Fairmount State then transferred to Baylor, then eventually transferred to Ohio State.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I forget the name, but the player that transferred from Fairmont State a few years ago and was the first guy off the bench for Baylor's national championship team in 2021 sealed the deal for guys seeing that they could quickly jump from D2 to a great situation in D1. Of course, that was before the portal morphed into what it has become now, but you see the point.

The norm anymore is 3-4 schools for these basketball players. Just thinking about it for the individual on a personal level, I don't understand how you can take that approach - but they all do now. Picking up and moving (even as a college student) is hard. The logistics of that on a personal level have to be overwhelming. Academics aren't even part of the conversation anymore. I often catch myself wondering how an individual that goes between 4 schools in 4 years actually ever graduates. There's no chance all of their credits are transferring.

Most, my guess, are not.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It wasn't Baylor I was thinking of, but that's a great example. Part of me thinks it might be been FAU in their first run? But maybe not.. definitely a "mid-major" team in which the coach brought D2 players with him and they made a huge run.

I refuse to call these players student athletes anymore. They are just athletes. Well - 88%+ id say.

I think you are thinking of the St. Thomas Aquinas coach who went up and took half his team with him. They had a great first season. Tanked in Year 2. He got fired. Welcome to D1.

[TheBigCat2192]

Hes reuniting with a former HS teammate that graduates this year. His signing was announced and within an hour or so Sheltons commitment was announced.

I also think seeing what Omajafo did at RMU and now he's jumping again... if he makes a decent school - I think we're going to see even more D2'ers going to D1 after a good year or so.

Who was the D1 team like 2 years or so ago that made it to like the S16 or E8.. and 3 of their starters were D2 transfers the coach brought with him.

All these kids need is a chance.

I’m curious why people are so convinced that Omajafo is going to move to a substantially better program. He was a roughly league average player in the NEC, which is a garbage conference. If he was dominating the competition I could see a team from a stronger mid-major throwing him an offer but nothing about his play this year really showed that he was playing below his station at RMU and he’s old enough that I’m not sure if there’s some hidden potential for another staff to tap into.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I’m curious why people are so convinced that Omajafo is going to move to a substantially better program. He was a roughly league average player in the NEC, which is a garbage conference. If he was dominating the competition I could see a team from a stronger mid-major throwing him an offer but nothing about his play this year really showed that he was playing below his station at RMU and he’s old enough that I’m not sure if there’s some hidden potential for another staff to tap into.

Personally, I think he'll elevate a bit but he's not going to the SEC. I think he'll land in a better conference ... i.e. up a rung.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

One of the St. Francis (PA) players has surfaced ... sophomore SG Bobby Rosenberger III has signed with Nova Southeastern.

Another, who was more of a deep bench guy, has signed with Lock Haven.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Former Cal player Keith Palek has signed with Missouri State.

[IUPalum]

Former Cal player Keith Palek has signed with Missouri State.

Where??? lol

[bballfan03]

I think you are thinking of the St. Thomas Aquinas coach who went up and took half his team with him. They had a great first season. Tanked in Year 2. He got fired. Welcome to D1.

Could be. I just remember it was a D2 coach in his first year D1.. had his 3 stars from D2 starting with 2 transfers and a D2 6th man and they made a run to either S16 or E8.

It was fun to watch, but also sad to think that couldve been a D2 national champion had they stayed.

[bballfan03]

I’m curious why people are so convinced that Omajafo is going to move to a substantially better program. He was a roughly league average player in the NEC, which is a garbage conference. If he was dominating the competition I could see a team from a stronger mid-major throwing him an offer but nothing about his play this year really showed that he was playing below his station at RMU and he’s old enough that I’m not sure if there’s some hidden potential for another staff to tap into.

Yeah but he also was a little above average at gannon.. he averaged 19ppg "in the system" of a team averaging 101ppg.

A lot of transfers who are going from low to mid dont have spectacular numbers... but they're showing they can perform to league standard where ever they go - and that's what coaches are going for.

omajafo isnt going to a P4... but I could see him going up a level or 2 from RMU.

[Scrub]

Nova's star (and Bevo Francis finalist) MJ Iraldi is now in the portal. He'll likely get quite a few phone calls.

[Scrub]

Donovan Hill, formerly of Ship, has found a home. St. Leo's in FL.

[Chuck Norris]

Where??? lol

Missouri Valley Conference. Not a bad jump straight from D2, but Missouri State hasn’t been very good of late. I suppose that might boost his chances of getting decent playing time.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Auburn has signed (D2) Lincoln Memorial transfer Elyjah Freeman.

6"8" G / 19.3 ppg / 9.1 rpg / 46% from deep

He chose Auburn over Tennessee.

Three years' eligibility.

[TheBigCat2192]

Missouri Valley Conference. Not a bad jump straight from D2, but Missouri State hasn’t been very good of late. I suppose that might boost his chances of getting decent playing time.

I believe Missouri State is moving to C-USA this year.