[ad_1]
It pays to be a late addition to the transfer portal – in some cases quite literally. And while the deadline has long passed for college basketball players to toss their name in, exceptions are made when a head coach departs – giving players 30 days to decide if they want to go portaling.
That’s exactly what 6’8 rising junior forward Duncan Powell did when his coach, David Patrick, left Sacramento State after two seasons to become an associate head coach at LSU.
Powell redshirted his first season at North Carolina A&T in 2021-22, and then played 22.5 minutes per night as a sophomore averaging 8 points and 5.7 rebounds. He transferred last offseason to Sacramento State in the Big Sky and had the best year of his career, averaging 12.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 54% on two pointers and 28.6% from three.
While his numbers aren’t elite, his size and experience is enough for him to garner attention from some of the premier programs in college basketball, including Bill Self and Kansas. Teams who lost players to the NBA draft process are looking to fill open scholarships, so the timing for Powell is pretty good.
Below is a look at six high-major schools who are known to have contacted Powell since he entered the transfer portal, and how he might fit each program in 2024-25:
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas already has perhaps the best transfer portal class in the country, landing Wisconsin star guard AJ Storr, Zeke Mayo from South Dakota State, and guard Rylan Griffen from Alabama.
But once Johnny Furphy opted to keep his name in the draft process, Bill Self started looking for another body to fill a depth role as this team looks to get back on top in the Big 12. Powell may not see big minutes in Lawrence, but a chance to play for a blue blood program – and make some NIL cash – will certainly appeal to the junior forward.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Rodney Tery and the Texas Longhorns lost Dylan Disu to eligibility and Dillon Mitchell to the Cincinnati Bearcats, and while they have done a great job of adding marquee guards in the portal – including Tramon Mark from Arkansas and Jordan Pope from Oregon State – a forward who can come in and fill a role off the bench is a key area of need.
Enter Powell, a native of Dallas who could return to his home state and play for a huge brand as the program transitions into the SEC. Terry has brought in quite a few mid-major transfers in recent years, and Powell looks capable of filling a much needed role for this team in 2024-25.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
NC State’s surprise run to the Final Four last season has spurned more interest in the program, but Kevin Keatts has a tough task replacing star forwards DJ Burns and Mo Diarra who both moved on to the professional ranks.
The Wolfpack did add Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Dontrez Styles from Louisville and Georgetown, respectively, but the frontcourt could use more help and Powell should slot into a decent sized role while getting a chance to compete in the ACC.
Powell spent the first two years of his college career in Greensboro, so he’d be in a familiar place a short hour away if he were to commit to NC State and play in Raleigh.
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
The transition year post Bob Huggins was quite the fiasco in Morgantown, with a ton of late departures, a suspension for Kerr Kriisa, injuries in the frontcourt, and eligibility concerns for a few additions making it nearly impossible for the squad to put together a good season.
Former Drake coach Darian DeVries took over early this offseason and brought his son, 20 point per game forward Tucker DeVries, along with him.
Still, the Mountaineers still have room to make more additions, and Powell could come in and compete in the best basketball conference in the country with an opportunity to play real minutes on the wing.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech, like many mid-level high major programs, is undergoing a significant roster churn this offseason. Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss) and Lynn Kidd (Miami) represent big losses via the portal, while the team did bring in Ben Burnham from Charleston, Toibu Lawal from VCU, and former Duke guard Jaden Schutt among others.
Powell is among the better forward options still on the board, and the Hokies are in need of more help if they want to compete in the ACC with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
At this point in the offseason, Florida State has seen 10 players enter the transfer portal – including star wing Jamir Watkins – while only adding two players via the portal themselves: South Dakota forward Bostyn Holt and Hampton wing Jerry Deng.
With Watkins and Baba Miller out the door, coach Leonard Hamilton desperately needs some size and length at forward – and while Powell isn’t a star by any means he can contribute for this team on both sides of the ball. If they can convince Powell to come to Tallahassee it will likely be by selling him on more playing time than he’d get at the other five schools on this list.
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #Transfer #Portal #target #Duncan #Powell #hearing #Kansas #Texas
Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/kansas-texas-transfer-portal-duncan-powell-basketball/