News Bits (& A Score)
West Virginia 82, Stanford 77 OT Freshman phenom Ebuka Okorie once again carried the Cardinal with 34 points in addition to five assists, three rebounds and two steals, and teammate AJ (Marin Catholic) Rohosy posted a 10 point, nine board line but the rest of the Stanford-ites didn't rise enough to the occasion in the College Basketball tourney quarterfinals in Las Vegas.
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Jason Linkins: "back when I was a first year (1990), a guy asked me who I liked for the final four and I was like, “I think UConn is gonna do really well” and he was really taken aback and later he told me that he thought I was saying “Yukon” like some Arctic Circle Cinderella."
The moral: be selective who you talk with during the Big Dance.
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Jon Chepkevich: "NEWS: Long Beach State’s Gavin Sykes intends to enter the transfer portal, his agent Aman Dhesi of pnwsportsgroup tells DraftExpress. The 6’4” guard was the nation’s 7th leading freshman scorer, trailing only AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff, Ebuka Okorie, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. Brings good positional size and an ability to knock down shots both on and off the ball."
A lot of coaches missed on this young man. Another one where it will be fascinating where he ends up--can he combine solid NIL money with a winning program?
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Sam Kayser: "NEWS: Montana junior Money Williams is entering the transfer portal, he told LeagueRDY. The 6-foot-4 guard was named First Team All-Big Sky this season after playing the last three seasons at Montana. He averaged 20.6PPG, 4.7APG and 4.3RPG this season."
The 6-foot-4, 210 Williams deserves to make very good NIL money, especially since he is the sole breadwinner for his family, and he will. If he is surrounded by talented teammates so that he won't face as much pressure to create points as at Montana, Williams will post a better assist-to-turnover ratio than 160/139, as he did this past season. No knock at Travis DeCuire but here's hoping Williams lands with a developmental coaching staff WHILE playing alongside other pro prospects. Then he hopefully won't be burdened with the need to force things. Next season is going to be a fascinating one for him.
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De La Salle Basketball: "Congrats to alumnus Justin Argenal class of ‘04 and former head coach (‘16-‘21) on his new position with BeaverMBB. Justin joins DLS grad and new HC Justin Joyner on staff. Joyner a sophomore and Argenal a senior in 2004 when Spartans won NorCal Title!"
Coach Joyner is building a young but very solid coaching staff. Who will nab the DominicanU opening now?
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"Former Washington Basketball Starter is NCAA Tournament Bound—Sort Of"
Vanderbilt enjoyed a tremendous season at 27-9. Tyler (Granada High) Harris didn't.
But first some background. Harris initially played high school ball at Salesian Prep and then his senior year at Granada High.
The 6-foot-7, 210 junior is in Nashville after his freshman season at Portland and a sophomore sojoun to Washington. Beggining as a Pilot, he started 21 of 22 games and averaged 12.1 points, shooting 46%. Harris grabbed 7.3 rebounds a night and blocked 1.0 shots per contest. It was a remarkable start.
While in Seattle, he made 27 starts in 30 games and averaged 11.8 points plus 5.0 rebounds, shooting 49.5% on three-point attempts as well as 49.2% overall. Harris was credited with 32 blocked shots. Another very commendable season.
Landing at Vanderbilt earned him the largest amount of NIL money of his career although an exact figure is unknown. But in 30 games and two starts this season (he didn't make an appearance in the last seven contests), Harris averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Plus, with two games in the Big Dance, (a 10-point victory versus McNeese State and a two point loss to #4 Nebraska), Harris didn't play a minute. He was healthy and available but only in case of emergency as the article above details.
Was it a bad pairing with the design of his team's offensive system? Did his skill level simply reach its zenith? Was he surrounded by more talented teammates than in the previous two seasons and thus earned fewer offensive touches?
Maybe more importantly, looking forward, does he remain at Vanderbilt? Does he forsake highest NIL money (if even still available?) to find a new home that will be a better fit? Here's hoping his senior season is a blossoming one and he goes on to play in the NBA.
Verbal Commits: "Cal State Monterey Bay (DII) G/F Michael Mora is transferring to Wyoming."
Good for him! He's out of Palo Alto High. Send him a warm coat.
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Sam Kayser: "NEWS: San Francisco guard Ryan Beasley is entering the transfer portal, his agent Qais Haider told LeagueRDY. The 5-foot-11 guard is one of the top floor generals in the WCC and has spent the last three seasons with the Dons. Was named Second Team All-WCC in 2025-26. He averaged 13.6PPG, 4.0APG, 3.4RPG and 1.2SPG this season. Top-5 in the country at getting to the FT line."
He shot 40% overall, 33% on three-pointers so those need upping a bit but he also performed minus a true center. Beasley enjoyed a 124/51 assist-to-turnover ratio along with 37 steals. It makes sense to go for a financial payoff in his final season and with a team that is a 'guarantee' to enter The Big Dance.
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Jon Chepkevich: "NEWS: Saint Mary’s big man, Drew (Granada High) McKeever, intends to enter the transfer portal, his agent George S. Langberg of GSLSportsGroup tells DraftExpress. The 7’3” 285 pound center led the WCC in rebounds this season and is the conference’s all-time leader in career rebound percentage. Joins Aday Mara as the only NCAA 7-footers this season with a 15.0+ AST% and 10+ dunks, showing intriguing passing flashes at his size."
and
Transfer Portal: "NEW: Saint Mary's guard Dillan Shaw plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per JoeTipton.Shaw was named to the WCC All-Freshman Team this past season."
A SoCal native, he's 6-foot-7, 205 and averaged 7.5 points plus 5.4 rebounds alongside 30 steals and a 51/34 assists-to-turnover ratio. In 33 games, he played 28 minutes a contest.
and
Transfer Portal: "NEW: Saint Mary’s guard Liam Campbell plans to enter the transfer portal, his agency ADS Sports tells JoeTipton. Campbell shot 52% from three-point range this past season."
He played just 14.6 minutes an outing but he's a shooter -- 51%, 52%, 80%. He's a 6-foot-4, 205 redshirt freshman.
and
Roy Kane: "BREAKING: Tony Duckett Enters Transfer Portal 🚨 [he tells me]
Saint Mary’s guard Tony Duckett has officially entered the transfer portal, becoming a notable name to watch this offseason. The 6’5 combo guard out of Carlsbad first broke out at San Diego, averaging 10.4 PPG and earning WCC All-Freshman honors before transferring to Saint Mary’s.
Duckett brought scoring ability, size, and versatility to the Gaels’ backcourt, showing flashes of high-level potential—including a 30+ point performance in conference play.
Now back in the portal, Duckett offers proven production and upside, making him an attractive option for programs looking to add a dynamic guard..."
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Jon Rothstein: "Sources: Arizona State’s Randy Bennett is hiring Cal Baptist head coach Rick Croy as Associate Head Coach."
There certainly is going to be greater energy expression on the AZU bench this season - at least from a certain someone. So who will be the Randy Bennett's designated successor? Croy or Joe Rahon since both are now associate head coaches? Croy had been as successful as possible at Cal Baptist (in the Big Dance this season) but had come as far as he could with the resources available there. A pay raise is certainly involved, too.
and
Jeff Borzello: "David Patrick is expected to join Randy Bennett's Arizona State staff as associate head coach, sources told ESPN. The two coached together at Saint Mary's from 2006-10. Patrick, a proven overseas recruiter, has head coach experience at UC Riverside and Sacramento State."
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Former Saint Mary’s, Cal Baptist assistant added to Justin Joyner’s coaching staff at Oregon State
So it's Lippi and Justin Argenal so far.
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VerbalCommits: "2026 Citrus College (CA) G Leo Ricketts has received an offer from USC Upstate."
Certainly better than nothing but not quite the offer the 6-foot-1 Ricketts wants.
and
Verbal Commits D2: "2026 Citrus College (CA) G Leo Ricketts has received an offer from California Baptist."
This is a strange one considering Croy is no longer there and no replacement has been named as yet. At his Twitter site, Ricketts has the USC Upstate offer posted but not the Cal Baptist one.
Then, Verbal Commits: "2026 Citrus College (CA) G Leo Ricketts has received an offer from Ball State." This one seems viable.
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Verbal Commits: "UC Davis G Jalen Stokes is entering the transfer portal."
This one is surprising (but there really are no no surprises when NIL funding dictates the college basketball universe) considering as a freshman, he started seven games, played in 27 at 14 minutes a clip, shooting 45%, 33% and 88%.
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The Field of 68: "NEWS: Sacramento State freshman forward Mark Lavrenov intends to enter the transfer portal, per source. The 6-8 forward averaged 9.9 ppg/7.0 rpg. Started 21 games and played 25.9 mpg."
He could aid any of the Nor Cal D1 programs at the four spot. Sure, his numbers were inflated a bit since the Hornets lacked an actual center for most of the season and he isn't a shotblocker (nine on the season) but he has three more years of eligibility, plays hard and with enthusiasm.
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Jeff Goodman: "Dartmouth sophomore point guard Connor Amundsen will enter the portal, his agent Clay Mallory of One Motive Sports told TheFieldOf68. Amundsen, who is from California, started 53 games in two seasons, averaging 10.1 points, 3.4 assists while shooting 39% from 3. Dartmouth recently parted ways with head coach David McLaughlin."
Does he return home to play for Coach Vance Walberg at Fresno State? The top assist guy for Fresno just entered the transfer portal. Amundsen posted a 96/29 assist-to-turnover ratio and can run a complex offense.
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Verbal Commits: "San Francisco G Legend Smiley is entering the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-5 freshman scored 8.1 points per game this past season, shooting 42% on three-pointers, 46% overall. He started 14 of 33 games with 20 assists versus 26 turnovers. He is out of Seattle.
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Sam Kayser: "NEWS: San Francisco forward Mookie Cook plans to enter the transfer portal, he told LeagueRDY. The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American played one season at San Francisco after beginning his career at Oregon. He averaged 7.6PPG, 4.2RPG and 1.5APG this season."
Cook is a 6-foot-6, 215 junior.
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GZY Sports: "Barry is a 6’9, 245lbs forward from Xuzhou, China. In his junior season at the University of San Francisco, he averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game, and made 24 starts of 33 games."
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Verbal Commits: "San Francisco G Tyrone Riley IV is entering the transfer portal."
The 6-foot-6, 200 two guard earned Second Team All-West Coast Conference honors based on his 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds an outing but didn't take as big a step up as expected. Maybe that will come in his junior season. TR4 also entered the transfer portal after his freshman year but withdrew. He's out of southern California and went with USF over California and LSU as a graduating HS senior.
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Jeff Goodman: "Cal freshman point guard and sixth man Semetri (Archbioshop Riordan/Redwood High) Carr will return to the Golden Bears, he told TheFieldOf68. Carr had a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio this past season."
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Ersin Demir: "At 5'11", Trey (Moreau High) Knight is a gifted floor general and playmaker ready to start for every low-major program out there. Consistent downhill driver with good footwork and great court vision. The sophomore led Region 22 in assists this season!"
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Navaughn Long: "I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal. Open to all opportunities."
Long is a 6-foot-6, 180 redshirt freshman shooting guard out of Granada High who is departing Portland. In 14 games and 10 minutes a contest this past season, he 50% overall and 56% on three-pointers.
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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Max Manfredi has received an offer from Division 2 Quincy University (GLVC)."
The 6-foot-6 sophomore is out of Ponderosa High.
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Bellevue University Men's Basketball: "Welcome DaMarcus Collins to the Bellevue program! Super excited about this young man and what he can do for the Bruins. DaMarcus comes to us from College of San Mateo, hometown of Union City, CA!"
Collins is a 6-foot-2 sophomore out of California High. He scored 8.8 points this season on 48%, 40% and 84% shooting. Bellevue Head Coach Lucas Gabriel has assisted at Chico State and Fresno CC. BC is located in Nebraska.
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Bellevue University Men's Basketball: "🚨NEW SIGNING ALERT 🚨 Welcome Tyree Gill from College of the Sequoias! Tyree is a dynamic/explosive wing looking to make a big impact as a Bruin."
Out of Burbank High, the 6-foot-4 Gill averaged 15.0, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 47%, 34% and 71%.
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William Amoah: "After a great conversation, I’m grateful to receive an offer from CSU Pueblo! Appreciate Coach Rueb and the staff."
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William Amoah: "After a great conversation, I’m grateful to receive an offer from Adams State University! Appreciate Coach Tripp and the staff."
Out of Canada, Amoah is a 6-foot-8 sophomore at West Valley College and earned First Team All Conference honors this past season after averaging 10.5 points and 9.0 rebounds.
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"How Catholic universities helped forge 4 Black college basketball stars' lives"
Bill Russell, Bill Cartwright, Bob Lanier and Lloyd Walton. Excellent article.
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and
"What Does “Feel for the Game” Mean in Basketball? Why Instinct Separates Impact Players"
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The Portal Report: "WVSU (D2) transfer Trey Harris has received interest from the following programs, he tells TPR:
- Nevada
- LMU
- UC Santa Barbara
- San Francisco"
and about 20 other schools.
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The Portal Report: "Update on Jojo Wallace’s recruitment, per source:
VISITS:
- Sacred Heart
- Montana
INTEREST:
- Stanford
- Santa Clara
- Tennessee
- Baylor"
and about 20 other schools.
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The Portal Report: "The Portal Report: "Davis & Elkins (D2) transfer Matt Gray updates TPR on his recruitment:
VISITS:
- Missouri State
- Southern Illinois
INTEREST:
- California
and about 20 other schools.
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"Dan Hurley’s ‘head-butt’ showed Black coaches aren’t given the same grace as white coaches"
"However, something strange happened after Mullins’s shot. UConn’s head coach Dan Hurley approached referee Roger Ayers and touched foreheads with the official while glaring into his eyes. It wasn’t quite the “head-butt” some called it on social media but it was an eye-catching scene. For his part, Ayers told ESPN the incident was “absolutely nothing” but it wouldn’t have been unusual for Hurley to be given a technical foul, which would have given Duke free throws and a chance to win the game with 0.4 seconds left."
Possibly the ref didn't want such an important game decided on a tech.
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