Potpourri, May 4

News Bits

Ryan Kartje: "USC snags its fifth player in the transfer portal as Hawaii guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor commits to Eric Musselman and the Trojans. Hunkin-Claytor’s previous season was cut short due to injury. He averaged 6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a sophomore."

signing article

Moving from the Big West Conference to the Big 10 Conference. The 6-foot-3 Selesian Prep grad posted a 67/32 assist-to-turnover ratio in his short season. Drake U'u is his agent.

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Kevin John: "Sacramento State transfer Mark Lavrenov announces his commitment to New Mexico State. The Rocklin High School product averaged 9.9 points and 7.0 rebounds a game as a true freshman."

"Sacramento State F Mark Lavrenov Signs with NM State" (scroll down a bit to get to the article)

The Sac Bee's Joe Davidson writes about Lavrenov just as he entered the transfer portal. San Jose State University expressed interest in Lavrenov but recently signed a power forward from ColumbiaU.

He's not a leaper so he won't produce blocked shots but he works hard and powers into opponents. Effort and physicality are never a question with him. His intriguing rebounding splits this season: 80 offensive, 139 defensive. Congrats.

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Leo Ricketts: "God created me, momma raised me, juco changed me."

After a year at Sacramento State, the 6-foot-1 guard went south to Citrus College and earned South JUCO Player of the Year honor this season. He averaged 19.7 PPG on 49% from the field, 48% from 3, 83% from the line, and 4.0 APG.

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Verbal Commits: "Dartmouth G Connor Amundsen is transferring to Pacific."

His father, Tony, is a Pacific alum from when the Tigers were in the Big West Conference. He also played at Newark Memorial High and Chabot College and currently heads the Clovic North High buys basketball program. His 6-foot-2 son posted a 96/29 assist-to-turnover ratio last season at Dartmouth and should fit in well with Coach Dave Smart's overall offensive scheme.

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Blurt Reynolds: "Tyler Harris SF transfer from Vanderbilt has committed to UNLV via IG."

UNLV will have an almost completely new team this coming season and the 6-foot-7 Harris will likely be positioned at the three spot. He's out of Granada High as well as Portland, Washington and Vanderbilt collegiately.

"Tyler Harris to join UNLV Men’s Basketball program"

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Transfer Portal: "BREAKING: Tennessee transfer guard Clarence Massamba has signed with UC Davis, PeteNakos reports."

Massamba is a 6-foot-5 freshman out of Francewho was injured (hip flexor) and played in 12 games this season for 39 minutes.

"The 6-foot-5 shooting guard came to Tennessee from AS Monaco, a professional team in France. A 19-year-old, Massamba played mostly on AC Monaco’s B team (U21) where he averaged 9.8 points on 45% shooting from the field and 34% shooting from three-point range. He added 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The France native played two prep seasons at The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida, before joining AS Monaco for the 2024-25 season."

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Rocco Miller: "Ben Oosterbaan has committed to San Francisco, per WEAVE"

and for some background:

Sam Kayser: "NEWS: St. Thomas sophomore Ben Oosterbaan is entering the transfer portal, his agency WEAVE told LeagueRDY. The 6-foot-6 wing out of Hinsdale, Illinois averaged 7.6PPG, 4.2RPG and 1.6APG this season. Shot nearly 50% from the floor, 37% from 3."

Looks promising as he entering his upperclassman years. Let's see if he makes a jump in production.

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"Brandon Bracy hired as new Vallejo High basketball head coach"

Vallejo will become a player again.

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"Nevada basketball earns commitment from Cal Poly transfer Peter Bandelj"

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Matt Zenitz: "Washington State has signed Oregon guard transfer Jamari Phillips, chris hummer and I have learned. Former top 50 overall recruit."

Phillips is a 6-foot-4, 195 sophomore originally out of Modesto Christian High. He played just 11.3 minutes this season with Oregon.

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Verbal Commits: "Stanford G Ryan Agarwal is transferring to Loyola Chicago."

The 6-foot-6 backcourter will likely enjoy the opportunity for more playing time at his new location. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

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"SPARTANS SIGN SUN BELT SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR JOEY CHAMMAA"

Out of Los Angeles, USan Diego and Arkansas State, he was named the Sun Belt Sixth Man of the year this season. A 5-foot-11 guard, he averaged 9.9 points and 1.8 assists in 2025-26, shooting 42% from the field, 33% from three-point range and 82% at the foul line. His 101 made foul shots led his squad.

and

Travis Branham: "San Jose State transfer Ben Roseborough has committed to Towson, his agent Darius Graham at vantasportsmgmt tells 247Sports. Averaged 12.0 PPG, shooting 41.1% from three this season."

Out of Monterey Trail High, the 6-foot-4 guard missed his freshman season due to a foot injury and then played in 11 games, 27.5 minutes a night this season before different injuries sidelined him for the rest of the season. If healthy, he can be an integral scorer so here's hoping he remains injury free even if it's on the East Coast (Maryland). He'll be a sophomore.

Former UC Davis point and Sac High grad Darius Graham is his agent.

and

Melvin Bell Jr.: "🦬! #committed #gobisons"

He'll play at North Dakota State University as a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard. Bell Jr. averaged 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds this past season. He's out of Chicago so North Dakota's climate won't bother him.

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St. Mary's Hoops: "He’s back!!! Please join us in welcoming back to Moraga Rob Jones ‘12 as our newest assistant coach!"

Seems so right.

and

Portal Updates: "Saint Mary’s transfer Tony Duckett has committed to UC Riverside. The 6’4” sophomore guard appeared in 22 games, averaging 3.1 points per game. Duckett previously played at San Diego during the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Was named to WCC All-Freshman Team."

Back to SoCal to play for Gus Argenal.

and

Travis Branham: "2026 6-8, 190 F Mading Kuany of Iowa United and COE Australia will take an unofficial visit to Saint Mary's today, a source tells 247Sports. Very long and athletic forward that makes for a high level defender and can make shots from three."

and

Jon Chepkevich: "NEWS: Miami transfer, Salih Altuntaş, has committed to Saint Mary’s, his reps at gershbasketball tell DraftExpress. The 6’11” 270+ pound Turkish center notched a 65.7 FG% and 6.1 BLK% in a limited role for the ‘Canes. Firmly on sophomore breakout watch with the Gaels."

This season: 32 games, 7.9 minutes a contest, 13 blocked shiots. But he is a freshman.

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Jayden Johnston: "6’7” Brandon Hahn has received an offer from UC Riverside. Hahn had an impressive junior year at Granada High School, averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds. He also put up a season high 36 points and 19 rebounds vs Bishop O’Dowd in the NCS D1 Title game. Hahn will be one of the top seniors in the state of California to watch this year."

He plays with Lakeshow Hoops.

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West Valley College Men's Basketball: "We want to congratulate our sophomore Ryan Roth on his commitment to NCAA Division 2 UC Merced! Ryan Roth spent 2 years with West Valley and had a phenomenal sophomore year, averaging over 8 points per game on 41% from 3 point range. Go Bobcats!"

The 6-foot-2 guard played as a senior at Monterey High.

"The Herald’s Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year: Roth changed the dynamics of Monterey’s offense"

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des.sicat2026: "After a great visit, I am blessed to receive an incredible offer from Pacific University! Thank you Coach Justin Lunt and Coach BHellstrom for believing in me."

Sicat is a 6-foot-1 point attending Castro Valley High. He sports a 4.2 grade point average.

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"Report: Illinois star Andrej Stojakovic enters 2026 NBA Draft, leaves option open to return to Fighting Illini"

The Jesuit High star will be coming back to college. He has a number of improvements to make in his game to reach consistent production and a real chance to play in the NBA.

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"Ebuka Okorie's NBA Future Comes Down to the Next Few Weeks"

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"EJ Rowland joins Arizona State Basketball Staff as Assistant Coach"

Another St. Mary's/Randy Bennett assistant is making ASU his new domicile.

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Simply Basketball: "Brendan Williams (2028) has received an offer from Stanford."

He's currently 6-foot-10, attends Moreau Catholic High and plays AAU ball with Team Lillard.

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Prince Oseya has received an offer from Division 2 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (PacWest)."

At 6-foot-10, 230, he averaged 11.0 points and 8.6 rebounds with 69 blocked shots in 27 games as a sophomore this season. He's out of Modesto Christian High and from The Congo.

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Daniel Huerta has received an offer from Division II Dominican University of California (PacWest)."

Dominican is still seeking a head coach with Justin Argenal moving on to Oregon State. Huerta is a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard out of St. Mary's High-Stockton who averaged 12.8 points and 5.7 boards this season.

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CBB Portal Now: "West Valley (juco) F William Amoah has committed to Colorado State-Pueblo

  • 10.5 PPG on 53% FG and 9 RPG
  • Great touch around rim + mid range
  • Active! Great rebounder with high motor
  • Skilled! 6’8 can dribble pass and shoot

Amoah will be one of the better forwards in the RMAC next season! Be on the lookout!"

He's a 6-foot-8 sophomore out of Canada.

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"Jase Butler Emerging as a Key Piece for Colorado State After Late-Season Breakthrough"

Butler stands 6-foot-4 and is out of The Branson School. He transferred to Colorado State from Washington.

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"Concordia Names Scott Clark As New Men’s Basketball Head Coach"

Clark is a Cal Poly Humboldt graduate. A Pleasanton native, heos out of Foothill High and then graduated from Ohlone College before heading north.

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Verbal Commits: "Montana G Tyler Isaak is transferring to Concordia Irvine (DII)."

Out of San Ramon Valley High and Citrus College, he's a 6-foot-4 junior who scxored 6.1 points this season, shooting 41%, 31% and 85%.

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Verbal Commits: "Montana G Chase Henderson is transferring to Cal Poly Humboldt (DII)."

He's a 6-foot sophomore who played in 20 games at a 6.8 minute clip.

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Potpourri, Apr 27

News Bits

Sam Kayser: "NEWS: Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis has committed to Texas, he tells LeagueRDY. The 6-foot-3 guard also was considering Vanderbilt, Washington, Oregon and Villanova amongst others. He averaged 13.9PPG, 2.7RPG and 2.1APG this season."

"Mikey Lewis becomes 5th transfer to join Texas basketball as Sean Miller continues rebuild"

A Prolific Prep grad, he'll be playing in the SEC now and likely replacing graduating senior Jordan Pope who signed with Oregon State after three years at Prolific Prep before heading to Austin.

and

John Chepkevich: "NEWS: UNLV transfer, Myles Che, has committed to Saint Mary’s, his agent Grant Zhou of GZY Sports tells DraftExpress. The 6’3” Taiwanese-American guard medically redshirted this season with a foot injury. Honorable Mention All-Big West with 30+ win UC Irvine as a sophomore."

With UC Irvine, he put up 12.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game, shooting 40% from the floor, 43% on 3-pointers and 84% at the foul line. He should have two remainiung seasons of eligibility.

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Jon Rothstein: "Source: Gonzaga transfer Ismaila Diagne has committed to San Francisco."

Sizewise, the 7-foot, 235 Diagne fills a major hole for the Dons. He played 197 minutes this past season and blocked 17 shots.

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Verbal Commits: "Pepperdine G Ty Virgil is transferring to Idaho State."

Virgil is a 6-foot-6 guard who redshirted this past season at Pepperdine. He started out at Sheldon High before transferring to a couple of Arizona prep schools.

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"How losing his brother taught Aaron Gordon ‘what life is really about’"

One terrific 'inside' article on the former Archbishop Mitty talent.

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"I WISHED FOR MY OWN INJURY — AND THEN IT HAPPENED"

We have no idea what is rampaging through the mind of anybody at any one time, let alone that of a college basketball player. Yet we envy them and sometimes wish we were them. Julian Rishwain fills us in and it's fascinating. Rishwain played at USF among other teams.

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Travis Branham: Houston transfer Jacob McFarland has committed to Pacific, his representatives at WME told 247Sports. Former four-star recruit."

McFarland's 6-foot-11, 220 and played in four games for 11 minutes this past season. He should have solid defensive basics or at least potential if Kelvin Sampson originally signed him and Pacific needs a consistent contributing big. He'll have one or possibly two seasons of remaining eligibility as he broke his leg a season ago and then eventually needed to have the rod replaced this season.

and

Team Arsenal: "Congrats to Jaylen Thompson on his commitment to University of Pacific."

The 6-foot-7, 210 Thompson played in 20 games (six starts) and 11 minutes a contest game at Stanford as a redshirt sophomore.

and

Sam Kayser: "Stetson transfer Ethan Copeland, one of the top shooters in the portal, has recently taken Zooms with Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount and Pacific, source tells LeagueRDY. The 6-foot-2 guard is also receiving interest from VCU and Marshall amongst others. Native of Sunnyside, Washington. He averaged 15.0PPG, 3.7RPG, 2.1APG and 1.5SPG while shooting 43% from 3."

and

6-foot-7 wing Kellen (Moreau Catholic High) Hampton, who redshirted this season at Pacific, has landed at Hawai'i.

"UH men’s basketball lands 6-7, 220-pound transfer"

"...But Hampton chose Pacific largely because of assistant coaches Clay Wilson and Senque Carey. Both coaches left UOP ahead of the past season, with Wilson joining the UH staff..."

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Team Arsenal: "Congrats to Mario Williams on his commitment to MSU Denver."

He's a 6-foot-5 shooting guard departing University Colorado-Colorado Springs. Williams graduated from Venture Academy in Stockton.

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Verbal Commits: "San José State C Marcus Overstreet is transferring to Southern Miss."

He had multiple chances this past season but didn't step up often enough. Has one year orf remaining eligibility.

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Channel Tree Sports: "Stanford MBB has offered 2028 G Quentin Mosby, the top rated sophomore in Washington. I expect his recruiting ranking to climb this summer. The Cardinal are his first power conference offer."

He's a 6-foot-2 point.

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Myles Wiggins: "Let's work."

The 6-foot-6, 215 Wiggins out of Destiny Christian Academy in Sacramento and is headed to College of the Sequoias to play for Coach Dallas Jensen.

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Malachi Miller is transferring away from Western Washington. A graduate of Central Catholic High and Modesto Junior College, the 6-foot-3, 200 Miller currently owns offers from Cal Poly Humboldt and Newman University (Kansas).

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"Warriors reportedly grew tired of Steve Kerr’s political activism"

"The Warriors' summer of uncertainty starts with Steve Kerr"

If only owner Joe Lacob would stay out of the personnel decisions -- his draft input has been especially atrocious. The problems with the Warriors have zero to do with Kerr's political activism. Own it management.

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"Rebounding and defense: My story as a practice player"

This article contains some surprises for the reader.

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