News Bits
Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Iowa State transfer big man Dishon Jackson has committed to Pitt, he tells On3sports. The 6-11 senior averaged 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season."
He achieved those numbers in less than 20 minutes per game -- it was always curious why he played limited minutes. Out of St. Patrick St. Vincent High, he chose Washington State, then transferred to Charlotte (curious move) then to Iowa State where he played on a very solid roster and successful Big Dance team and now Pitt (17-15, 8-12 another curious choice.)
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PortalUpdates: "Green Bay transfer Anthony (Dublin High/USF) Roy has committed to Oklahoma State, per multiple reports. The 6’5” senior guard appeared in 11 games before suffering a season ending injury. Roy averaged 25.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, and shot 43% from 3 (48/111). Oklahoma State lands a great scorer. Will be joining Mississippi State transfer Kanye Clary, and Seton Hall transfer Isaiah Coleman."
Okie State went 17-8 this past season, 7-13 in the Big 12 Conference. Roy keeps up with his jagged track record: USF (eight games), Wenatchee Valley College, New Mexico State, Langston University (NAIA).
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Wow! Wow! Wow!
Jon Rothstein: "Sources: Tyrone Riley will withdraw from the transfer portal and return to San Francisco next season."
That so really helps. So what was it? Did a USF alum kick in an enormous donation? Other than Bluegrass State hoops and Arizona, the list of those pursing him wasn't all that terrific. Solid but not overwhelming.
Kentucky really wanted him and what KY hoops wants, $$$ is no object. In fact, "...Kentucky assistant Jason Hart flew to California to meet with Riley before the current recruiting dead period..."
Here's the list of his 'met' or 'zoom met' schools.
The Dons will again be very competitive in the WCC. Now get Malik Thomas to come back.
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Sam Kayser - 24/7 High School Hoops: "NEWS: San Francisco guard Malik Thomas is entering the transfer portal, he told LeagueRDY. Thomas began his career playing two seasons at USC before spending the last two at San Francisco. Was named First Team All-WCC this season. He averaged 19.9PPG, 3.9RPG and 2.1APG in 24-25."
This doesn't just hurt, it really, really hurts the Dons. The reality now is a complete re-build every season for almost every team, but especially so for those programs connected to minimal NIL $$$.
What is both remarkable and fascinating is that St. Mary's in 2025 hasn't lost anyone thus far to the transfer portal or maybe I should write anyone of any consequence. However, Coach Randy Bennett did lose Aidan Mahaney a season ago.
AND
USF is bringing in ... wait for it ... Legend Smiley, a 6-foot-6 prep shooting guard, with an All Best Basketball name.
"San Francisco lands class of 2025 shooting guard Legend Smiley"
AND
Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Oregon transfer forward Mookie Cook, a former McDonald’s All-American, has committed to San Francisco, he tells On3sports."
He's a 6-foot-7 sophomore who played little this season but was a McDonald’s All-American.
AND
Rocco Miller: "Rhode Island transfer, David Fuchs, has committed to San Francisco. The 6-9, 245 pound big man has two years of eligibility left. One of the top defensive rebounders in the country and projects to be a major contributor for the 2025-26 USF Dons."
In 29 games/no starts and 20.7 minutes a night, Fuchs averaged 7.4 points (59%, 29% and 59% shooting respectively) and 7.5 rebounds this past season.
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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Ylan Esso-Essis has received an offer from Division 1 UNLV (Mountain West Conference)"
Coming from France (being a foreigner, no knock on any country outside the U.S.) he cannot receive NIL $$$. But I believe he can still use his name, image and likeness to his financial benefit in his home country. Might that restriction level the field to a degree regarding his school decision?
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Jake Lieberman: "6'5 2026 Junior College combo guard Damarion Vann-Kelly has been offered by Arkansas State. Former FIU commit. Averaged 16.0 points on 48.7% 3PT this season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Held prior offers from Central Michigan, UTSA, Stetson, Southern Indiana, +."
He's out of Monterey Trail High. In Nor Cal, I know Sacramento State at the very least could use him. How about USF now?
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The Portal Report: "Isaac Williams IV will take the following visits after the dead period, per source:
- LA Tech
- New Mexico St.
- San Jose St."
He's a 6-foot-2 point (a gigantic need for the Spartans) who averaged 10.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game this season for Texas A&M Corpus Christi. He posted a solid assist/turnover ratio of 71/39 while scoring a commendable 10.8 points per game as a freshman while shooting 44% overall, 22% on 32 three-point attempts plus 45% on 92 free throw attempts. The latter is scary if the ball is in his hands late in a tight game which tends to be the case for a point.
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Verbal Commits: "Sacramento State G Leo Ricketts has entered the transfer portal."
Coach Henry Bibby's new roster will be fascinating to see once he completes it. A freshman out of De La Salle High, Ricketts played in 16 games with four starts at 15.4 minutes a contest. He shot 40%, 28% and 75% respectively, averaging 4.6 points an outing with 19 assists versus 14 TOs. The latter isn't a bad ratio for a freshman on a poor shooting team. Does he play JC next year? D2? Or does another D1 squad nab him?
AND
"THE BIBBY ERA BEGINS; MEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS FORWARD SHAQIR O’NEAL"
He's the 6-foot-8, 200 pound son of Shaq.
AND
Portal Updates: "UNLV transfer Jeremiah Cherry has committed to Sacramento State. The 6’11” junior started 32/33 games played, averaging 9.9 points on 63% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game."
The center spot is now filled and with much higher production than last season.
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Dushawn London: "San Francisco transfer Tyrone Riley has met with or conducted zooms with the following schools per his agent Paolo Zamorano of Prodigy Sports Group.
- USC
- Arizona
- Texas
- Kentucky
- Washington
- Arkansas
- Grand Canyon
- Creighton
He is also in contact with Miami, Arizona State and Ohio State."
How'd Grand Canyon get in there?
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Robel Zemmo: "After a great visit, I’m blessed to receive an offer from Chico State. Thank you Coach (Cevin) Meador and the entire staff for believing in me."
Chico will be in a rebuild mode but is a great place to land and plenty of playing time will be available to be earned for the 6-foot-2 West Valley College student-athlete and Oakland Tech grad.
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Jake Lieberman: "6'2 transfer guard Jojo Murphy from Chico State (D2) has visited Seattle U. Averaged 20.7 points (39.0% 3PT), 4.7 rebounds & 4.0 assists. Led Chico State to 24 wins."
C'mon Nor Cal D1 programs -- keep him here.
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"I think the kids understand if they're here and they're sophomores and they have a big year, and a Group of Five or Power Five (program) approaches them – and they have the finances to pull them out of here and I can't match the finances – then you know what, they're going to go. That's part of it. Coaches have been doing it for years. So we shouldn't get mad as coaches when these kids make decisions to take care of their family. But I also think there needs to be a buyout. If they move up from me and go to the Group of Five or the Power Five, I should get kind of a compensation for that. So, NCAA, if you're listening to me, I need a buyout." – Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph on transfer portal movement."
Why are the basketball powers going to allow this? But it makes sense since so many schools are actually situated in the lower leagues but ripe for talent picking if a prospect blossoms. It's like having a minor league system for big NIL programs, even moderate NIL entities.
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Verbal Commits D2: "Cal Poly Humboldt F Jaeden Hutchins has entered the transfer portal."
A freshman, he stands 6-foot-8, weighs 200 pounds and is out of Prolific Prep and Half Moon Bay High. He likely needs to go the JC route to get solid playing time.
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Verbal Commits: "Belmont G Aidan Braccia has entered the transfer portal."
A 6-foot-1 sophomore walk-on out of Sacred Heart Prep, Braccia redshhirted this season and played little the previous season. It appears he'll need to go D2 if playing time is desired. He is Frankie Ferrari's cousin -- they must have had some real battles on the court outside when their families got together for the holidays.
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The Portal Report: "Sonoma State (D2) transfer Chris Holley has committed to Cal State San Bernardino!
- 6'2 guard
- 14.1 PPG | 5.2 APG
- 43% 3FG
- Began career at D1 Sacramento State"
Holley will be playing for Coach Gus Argenal. He is out of Jesuit High and also Santa Rosa JC.
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"Academy of Art University in S.F. cuts sports program amid financial struggles"
The players will be transferring (if they wish to continue playing) but Men's Basketball Head Coach Scott Waterman and Assistant Coaches Booker Harris, Gabe Palmquist-Clark and Adam Cave are out of work.
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PortalUpdates: "UC Davis’ Pablo Tamba has entered the transfer portal, as a grad transfer. The 6’7” forward started all 32 games played, averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game."
This hurts. The Aggies have at least a couple of high school guards coming in who should be very solid -- how quickly they can quickly contribute is a key. Davis needs a couple of immediate help frontcourters.
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CC San Francisco Men's Basketball: "Congrats to State Champ Antonio Pusateri on committing to Lubbock Christain University (in Texas)."
He's a 6-foot-7 forward who came off the bench for the state champions. Pusateri prepped at Archbishop Riordan.
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Conor Maguire: "100% Committed to University of Puget Sound."
The 6-foot Maguire is a lefty point attending International High in San Francisco. BTW, it costs $63K annually to go to school at IH, which has to be much more than UPG.
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