https://x.com/JosephDworak/status/2043021603433517481
Showing interest in Illinois guard Mihailo Petrovic.
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And Hammond ranked #56 on this list giving Santa Clara 2 players in the transfer portal top 60.
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Perhaps following in the footsteps of Podz.
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For a moment I wondered if Mihalo is Drazen’s son. Then I did the math that Drazen died 33 years ago. Mihalo may be old for a college player (will be 24 years old by next season’s end) but he’s not THAT old.
Striking gold again with another Illini transfer seems unlikely.
He played only ~100mins over 19 games, <6/game. I recognize the Illini were very good and he had talent ahead of him but the fact he is already 23 and yet didn’t crack the regular rotation is a bit concerning. That said, he appears to be a PG, maybe the logic is to secure an older, mature player and steady hand to at least replace what BK provided, even if he isn’t the next Podz.
After looking at the source’s X account, he might just be assuming Santa Clara and UNLV are interested because both have had successful experiences with Illinois transfer guards.
That said, we definitely need guards so Petrovic does seem like a logical person to reach out to.
Only other name I have seen is VCU forward transfer Christian Fermin. And this one comes from the reliable Jon Rothstein
https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/2042278288593227875
Also, Rothstein broke that USF’s Tyrone Riley has committed to Oregon.
Hammond committed to NC State. It’s an interesting move. I’m sure he’ll make considerably more money, but it’ll be a much more fluid situation on the court as Justin Gainey gets his feet under him.
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I wish him luck but hope we keep the light on for him.
Not sure it is official but if so I think the ACC is a good fit for him. The Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC are so physical top to bottom, but the bottom half of the ACC is pretty underwhelming. There are more games where you can find a rhythm.
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Bukky entered the portal, Broncos will have to replace 6 of their top 7 players
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That is a big bummer. Just hard to replicate guys with that bounce and size.
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At this point we should seriously consider retiring Ensminger’s jersey if he stays and I am only half joking.
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Yes. He deserves all the rewards we can give him.
I think the portal system has effectively relegated teams like ours to being a G-League for high major programs with more cash to dole out. Very disappointing. I can’t help thinking about what our team would be like if it remained intact. I also think about what else is lost with all this movement: Nash, Garnett, Cam Tongue, and so many more played all four years and the strong bonds they established with their teammates persist to this day. It’s a different NIL, maybe Network of Inspired Lives. At the same time, the players need to do what is best for them, and these opportunities can be life changing and they need to act on them. No hard feelings here, just some gratitude for the time here and grief for losing you all too soon. Safe journeys to all entering the portal!
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Can you add Cams there too? He stayed faithful through it all - despite several programs reaching out and questioning his underutilization.
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Could not say more positive things about Cam (added him to the above post) and the difference he made here. We could add BK and many others who have made us successful competitors and a stronger community.
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It does seem like at the very least we could have a wall or joint banner where all 4(or 5 year) players at SCU get their name placed. It would be a nice token of appreciation and a reminder that all those players will forever have a place they can call home.
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I agree with Femme. Cam deserves our respect and support for his loyalty, performance, and high character.
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Cam was indeed a credit and asset to the program. He played at a with passion and effort. What’s often overlooked was he was so fundamentally sound. His box outs and footwork were excellent. It’s too bad he had very few opportunities to be on the floor with another, bigger player. I think he would have shined.
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Just read Aidan Mahaney entered the transfer portal. Not sure how a player who has played 135 games in his college career thinks he has way to get an extra year of eligibility
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Not very committed to anything , is he?
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