Agree that’s off. But he was effectively the 3rd string point guard, played it some when Knapper missed a game this year, and in limited minutes other times; the same in 2023/24.
And some of the recruiting websites such as Verbal Commits list him as a PG….might be as simple as that. Boatload of guys entering the portal, media and talking heads aren’t spending much time vetting role/position.
McKeever out as predicted
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This is like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
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And another one. Tony Duckett
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If it’s okay with everyone, I’m not even going to try to keep track of WCC portal names this off-season as I’ve attempted to do the past two seasons. I’m not sure I have the time, and it’s way too chaotic especially with this current system of “declaring an intention to enter the portal” before the portal actually opens after the National Championship.
Chaos reigns once again.
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Our returners will be announced starting this week, beginning with one today.
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SCU’s Basketball IG announced just a bit ago that Francis Chukwudebelu will return next year.
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Patty, completely understandable. I’ll handle for you.
West Coast Conference Players in the Portal:
Everyone.
DONE!
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@getnashty That’s good news. Very high upside for Francis but like all frosh bigs, he needs some time to adjust to the D1 game and fine tune his skills. I really like his court vision, and obviously his size and strength are huge assets. I would love for him to develop into something like Tilly with a bit more aggression down low.
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Two dons in the portal: Legend Smiley & Tyrone Riley IV
Jack and I recap the last game of Bronco basketball and what’s ahead…
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This is terrific. He was offered by Kansas in high school and is going to be terrific . He really moves well and is tough as nails. Go Francis!
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Do appreciate you attempting to keep us up to date!
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If Santa Clara manages only 1 transfer out, I’d like to think it’s not only a testament of the players’ respect for how our program is trending but also their enjoyment of attending SCU as a university.
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Whatever the reason, it’s good. Remember that Carlos Stewart left and then came BACK. That’s rare as far as I know.
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Is Hammond definitely gone? Or just testing the waters, maybe to use as a bargaining tool with SCU? I really don’t know what the rules are for entering the portal.
I really doubt that we manage only one out in this era. But I do think SCU sells itself well. We have always seemed to have a relatively low transfer rate compared to conference peers even going back to Keating. Guys like Foster, Trasolini, Payne, Brownridge, Vrankic all could have left for greener pastures if they wanted. That was a different era, though.
Santa Clara has much more talent on the bench in any given season than it used to, and it’ll be hard to keep every guy happy with playing time and role. Meanwhile, Santa Clara has proven to be such an effective development program, so guys like Hammond will get their shot at bigger money if they do well at SCU. Until Congress intervenes to allow the NCAA to put in enforceable structures, it’s just going to be a rollercoaster in April and May each year.
That this season was largely the result of a homegrown team–of the contributors, only Sash and Thierry spent meaningful time on other teams of comparable level–is rare and something to be proud of. But just last year, SCU’s success was much more the result of a blend of transfers (Bal, Bryan, O’Neil) and homegrown guys (Tilly, Tongue, Knapper, Ensminger).
Anyways, I’m sure that there’s at least one more transfer out somewhere on the roster. I’m not hoping for it, but I would be surprised if no one else elects to leave. I’ll just be content for now that Santa Clara is doing better with retention to date than its conference mates in a pretty challenging time.
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