Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Portal 2025
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FJC31
2/22/2025 1:02 PM
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Last Edited: 2/22/2025 1:08:08 PM by FJC31
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FearLeon
2/22/2025 1:20 PM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Thanks to FJC31 for getting this started. Always one of our favorite threads. Let's keep all 2025 college basketball/MAC portal news here and away from the 2024 portal/MAC threads to avoid confusion moving forward.
Last Edited: 2/22/2025 1:20:41 PM by FearLeon
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BillyTheCat
2/22/2025 9:15 PM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
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greencat
2/23/2025 8:17 AM
Somebody is bound to ask, so here it is in advance. How this works....

The 2025 NCAA men's and women's basketball transfer portal window will be open from Monday, March 24 through Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

How does the transfer portal work?

The transfer portal allows student-athletes to switch programs.

When a student-athlete wants to transfer, their school has two business days to enter their name into the transfer portal.

Once a student-athlete's name is in the portal, other coaches can contact them.

Other transfer portal rules:
There are existing exceptions for head coaching changes, loss of athletic aid, or the discontinuation of a team.

Student-athletes whose head coach leaves the school have an additional 30-day transfer window.
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FJC31
2/23/2025 10:13 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
I hope we’re all over a player like this because it’s the type of profile we need.
Last Edited: 2/23/2025 10:14:04 AM by FJC31
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OhioCatFan
2/23/2025 11:42 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
I hope we’re all over a player like this because it’s the type of profile we need.
Maybe, but somehow this reads like a potential IJ "Bahamas" Ezuma type situation. Why has he not played for so long. Perhaps, I'm not reading this correctly, but this seems to have some red flags to me.
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FJC31
2/23/2025 12:47 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
I hope we’re all over a player like this because it’s the type of profile we need.
Maybe, but somehow this reads like a potential IJ "Bahamas" Ezuma type situation. Why has he not played for so long. Perhaps, I'm not reading this correctly, but this seems to have some red flags to me.
I couldn’t find anything specifically as to why he hasn’t played in so long. Looks like he’s staying in shape via content.

To be clear, Chuks doesn’t need to be the guy we land. Just landing a 5 that can give us similar production during that 10 game stretch is the profile I hope we bring in.
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BillyTheCat
2/23/2025 1:16 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
I hope we’re all over a player like this because it’s the type of profile we need.
Maybe, but somehow this reads like a potential IJ "Bahamas" Ezuma type situation. Why has he not played for so long. Perhaps, I'm not reading this correctly, but this seems to have some red flags to me.
Exactly! Has red flags 🚩 all over it.
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greencat
2/23/2025 1:36 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Per request, getting this started (mods can you please pin?). As we creep into conference tourney season, the floodgates will begin to open. This year’s first entrant:

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1892307745832878547?...

Chuks Isitua from IUPUI/Fresno State. He hasn't suited up since 5 games into the 22/23 season. Taking a deeper dive, in his final 10 games at IUPUI which were all starts averaging at least 25 mins a game, he put up 9PPG, 8.4RPG, 1.5BPG, while shooting 49%.

Give me that all day from a starting 5.
Akron will be all over a player like this.
I hope we’re all over a player like this because it’s the type of profile we need.
Maybe, but somehow this reads like a potential IJ "Bahamas" Ezuma type situation. Why has he not played for so long. Perhaps, I'm not reading this correctly, but this seems to have some red flags to me.
Exactly! Has red flags 🚩 all over it.
There will be academically strong solid citizens that were highly regarded in high school but got buried on the bench at (name of well-known p4 school here) that can be obtained. Like a 6-foot-8 version of Pav. If we have enough schollies open, getting several would be nice, that way Hadaway won't forced to play center.
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MonroeClassmate
2/24/2025 12:09 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
Somebody is bound to ask, so here it is in advance. How this works....

The 2025 NCAA men's and women's basketball transfer portal window will be open from Monday, March 24 through Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

How does the transfer portal work?

The transfer portal allows student-athletes to switch programs.

When a student-athlete wants to transfer, their school has two business days to enter their name into the transfer portal.

Once a student-athlete's name is in the portal, other coaches can contact them.

Other transfer portal rules:
There are existing exceptions for head coaching changes, loss of athletic aid, or the discontinuation of a team.

Student-athletes whose head coach leaves the school have an additional 30-day transfer window.
Curious, when the school has two days to put in the name do they also hand the player a bill for the remainder of the education period? Or do those going into the portal just leave and forfeit whatever course work had been completed during the semester if they don't wish to pay?
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OhioCatFan
2/24/2025 1:06 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
Curious, when the school has two days to put in the name do they also hand the player a bill for the remainder of the education period? Or do those going into the portal just leave and forfeit whatever course work had been completed during the semester if they don't wish to pay?
Good question. I would suspect that in many cases it might be the latter, since the "education thing" seems to be a relatively minor consideration these days in many cases.
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BillyTheCat
2/24/2025 3:42 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
Somebody is bound to ask, so here it is in advance. How this works....

The 2025 NCAA men's and women's basketball transfer portal window will be open from Monday, March 24 through Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

How does the transfer portal work?

The transfer portal allows student-athletes to switch programs.

When a student-athlete wants to transfer, their school has two business days to enter their name into the transfer portal.

Once a student-athlete's name is in the portal, other coaches can contact them.

Other transfer portal rules:
There are existing exceptions for head coaching changes, loss of athletic aid, or the discontinuation of a team.

Student-athletes whose head coach leaves the school have an additional 30-day transfer window.
Curious, when the school has two days to put in the name do they also hand the player a bill for the remainder of the education period? Or do those going into the portal just leave and forfeit whatever course work had been completed during the semester if they don't wish to pay?
Depends, if they stay in school for the semester and finish, then no, the student completed their yearly agreement. If they quit, yes the school can go after the money. Many do not.
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M.D.W.S.T
2/26/2025 10:15 AM
Can we steal the C from Buffalo?

6'8" and mobile. Averaging 7/6. Give him some space to work with our shooters.
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FJC31
3/2/2025 7:00 PM
Let speculation begin — UWG (didn’t realize it was in ASUN ) forward Shelton Williams-Dryden entered the portal 22 hours ago and Boals started following.

6’6 while averaging 18ppg and 8rpg. Not a true big or production we’ve had success landing in previous portal cycles, but felt relevant to share.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...
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M.D.W.S.T
3/4/2025 9:30 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Let speculation begin — UWG (didn’t realize it was in ASUN ) forward Shelton Williams-Dryden entered the portal 22 hours ago and Boals started following.

6’6 while averaging 18ppg and 8rpg. Not a true big or production we’ve had success landing in previous portal cycles, but felt relevant to share.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...
Former JUCO All-American after averaging 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game on 63 percent shooting... Recorded 15 double-doubles.

I wonder if he knows JP? They're from 100 miles apart, but with AAU and so many regional games these days..
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FJC31
3/4/2025 12:31 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Let speculation begin — UWG (didn’t realize it was in ASUN ) forward Shelton Williams-Dryden entered the portal 22 hours ago and Boals started following.

6’6 while averaging 18ppg and 8rpg. Not a true big or production we’ve had success landing in previous portal cycles, but felt relevant to share.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...
Former JUCO All-American after averaging 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game on 63 percent shooting... Recorded 15 double-doubles.

I wonder if he knows JP? They're from 100 miles apart, but with AAU and so many regional games these days..
Yea, I saw Shelton came from JUCO. I would find it ironic if Boals had real interest in Shelton.

You'd think it'd make more sense to just go straight to the original source (JUCO) at a lower cost for roster construction, rather than wait a season for the stock to rise at this level with a potentially higher price tag.

I imagine Shelton will garner a lot of interest from a variety of schools.
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FJC31
3/6/2025 3:50 PM
Given our restraints, this could be an under the radar target for a 5/interior presence. 6’9 Luke Davis. Doesn’t jump out at 4ppg and 3rpg on the season, but his final 6 games playing at least 21 mins a game he averaged 11.5ppg and 8rpg. Most importantly, looks like he plays in the paint from the clips.

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1897736973999390941?...
Last Edited: 3/6/2025 3:53:18 PM by FJC31
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FJC31
3/7/2025 2:25 PM
Another interesting lower level big in the portal. Georgia Southwestern (D2) Josiah Shackelford. 17ppg and 7rpg (2.2 being offensive). 6’9 and 1 year of eligibility. Spent previous season at FGCU.

https://x.com/verbalcommitsd2/status/1898088733708370360?...
https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1898089736398586106?s=46&...
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FJC31
3/8/2025 11:16 AM
Today’s portal big obscurity is Ubongabasi Etim from Central Arkansas. 6’9 junior. Overall stats are not impressive, but his game log paints a different picture.

I’m not sure what happened to his PT, but a 3 game stretch where he was playing at least 24 minutes, he put up 6ppg and 9rpg. Including 8 points and 7 rebounds against Oklahoma. Ball State is among one of the first schools to reach out.

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1898398499470762282?...
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamel...
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M.D.W.S.T
3/10/2025 9:53 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Another interesting lower level big in the portal. Georgia Southwestern (D2) Josiah Shackelford. 17ppg and 7rpg (2.2 being offensive). 6’9 and 1 year of eligibility. Spent previous season at FGCU.

https://x.com/verbalcommitsd2/status/1898088733708370360?...
https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1898089736398586106?s=46&... [/QUOTE][QUOTE=FJC31] Given our restraints, this could be an under the radar target for a 5/interior presence. 6’9 Luke Davis. Doesn’t jump out at 4ppg and 3rpg on the season, but his final 6 games playing at least 21 mins a game he averaged 11.5ppg and 8rpg. Most importantly, looks like he plays in the paint from the clips.

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1897736973999390941?...
I'll take both.

CC: Jeff Boals
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shabamon
3/11/2025 11:09 AM
If we have a scholarship coming open and we're looking to the portal, it should be to someone we can easily envision as the starting center. Someone who averaged 4 and 4 on a horrible Southland roster should not be in consideration just because he had three good games at the end.
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FJC31
3/11/2025 1:20 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
If we have a scholarship coming open and we're looking to the portal, it should be to someone we can easily envision as the starting center. Someone who averaged 4 and 4 on a horrible Southland roster should not be in consideration just because he had three good games at the end.
Not that I'm advocating for Luke Davis specifically, but why exactly not? It was six games of an uptick in playing time (21 minutes or more) to conclude the season that saw a significant uptick in his production. He also had just as many double-doubles in that 6-game span as AJC has had all season.

8 points and 7 rebounds against McNeese, I'd see no downside adding a player like that. Especially when we've swung and missed on two P5 transfers already.

If I recall, you've posted about American East bigs averaging 6ppg and 4rpg ending up in the Big East. If that's really the case, then the Luke Davis' of the world might be the types we have to take a chance on if we're looking for plug and play 5's.
Last Edited: 3/11/2025 1:40:25 PM by FJC31
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FJC31
3/11/2025 5:53 PM
Some staff started following recent D2 portal entry Aaron Jacob from Cameron University.

6’8 16ppg and 6rpg. He’s listed as a small forward, but looks like he played in and out. We certainly have a type.

https://x.com/tp4pt/status/1897053073924821126?s=46&t=hCM...
https://cameronaggies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/a...
Last Edited: 3/11/2025 5:57:25 PM by FJC31
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greencat
3/11/2025 6:58 PM
Jacob is shooting 39% from three.

And...

2021-23 AD Honor Roll, All Academic GAC, President's Honor Roll, VP Honor Roll (2022-23) and Academic All GAC Team

Being able to actually be eligible and play is a plus.
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FJC31
3/11/2025 7:49 PM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Another interesting lower level big in the portal. Georgia Southwestern (D2) Josiah Shackelford. 17ppg and 7rpg (2.2 being offensive). 6’9 and 1 year of eligibility. Spent previous season at FGCU.

https://x.com/verbalcommitsd2/status/1898088733708370360?...
https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1898089736398586106?s=46&...
This is probably the level where we need to and can realistically shop for portal size. App State, Chattanooga, and Ball State among early suitors here.

https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1899578853737234745?...
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