Wednesday Recruiting Notebook: D-I Transfers
The transfer portal has been the most hectic it’s ever been since its inception and several former Oregon prep basketball stars have been right in the middle of it. The past few weeks a number of them have made their new college homes known and here’s a look at some of the ones who were at NCAA Division I programs last season and where they’ll be playing starting in 2021-22.
Perhaps the biggest former Oregon prep name to make a recent decision on his next collegiate home is Marcus Tsohonis (2019 Jefferson). The former 6A Player of the Year was coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 10.4 points and had some big games for the Huskies during a challenging season. But with his playing time at times sporadic, Tsohonis decided a new change of scenery was needed and he’ll definitely get that by going cross-country to play at Virginia Commonwealth with three more years of eligibility, a bit of a surprise to many as it was expected he would stay on the West Coast.
“Anything can happen in the transfer portal,” said Jefferson head coach Pat Strickland. “(VCU) was the top program that showed the most interest. I like their style of play and Marcus is most likely going to be a starter there and that was important to him.”
???? pic.twitter.com/BJ4OmGtfjS
— Marcus Tsohonis (@MmayesTsohonis) April 17, 2021
Tsohonis’ teammate in high school, Kamaka Hepa (2018 Jefferson), is also headed for a new spot at the D-I level. The 6-foot-9 forward was originally going to redshirt this season but ended up getting off the bench in nine games and averaged 2.9 points and 1.0 rebounds. The Alaska native got plenty of interest after entering the transfer portal and ultimately decided to head back to the West Coast – and even further west as he’ll be finishing his college career at Hawaii.
It's official…Kamaka Hepa is a Rainbow Warrior! Welcome to the 'ohana Kamaka! ????????
More ➡️ https://t.co/tJpt9ZViBW #HawaiiMBB | #GoBows ???? pic.twitter.com/vf7DhQvuOj
— HAWAII BASKETBALL (@HawaiiMBB) April 28, 2021
The other recent D-I transfer decisions are from former preps choosing to finish their careers at the D-II level. Ja’Vary Christmas (2017 De La Salle North) had a solid past two seasons at Idaho after playing in junior college, and averaged 6.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 2020-21. With a year of eligibility remaining thanks to the waiver for everyone this year, instead of finishing things out in Moscow the 6-foot-3 guard will complete his career at New Mexico Highlands.
“It really came down to asking myself what my goal was with this game we play – do I want the fame and flash or do I want to go pro,” Christmas said. “I’ve seen it all and one thing I’ve learned is that regardless which level you choose, you have to go somewhere where the staff and the system will compliment your game. Coach Dominguez has been recruiting me since Day 1 and believes I can come help the team win immediately while achieving my dream of going pro.”
Kyle Greeley (2018 West Salem) is also headed to D-II but closer to home. After redshirting his first year at Portland State, the 6-foot-5 wing has spent the past couple of years coming off of the bench, averaging 4.9 points in almost 13 minutes per game. While thankful for the opportunity and development the Vikings program gave him, Greeley determined that he’d look for a better fit and he found that in St. Martin’s where he’ll team up with former high school teammate Tyke Thompson.,
“When I decided to transfer I was looking for a few things – it was important for me to stay on the West Coast somewhat remotely to home and St. Martin’s is just up the road,” Greeley said. “They have a terrific campus and a system that fits my personal game offensively and defensively. I love how important skill development is to this program/coaches and most importantly, I love the vision they have for the program moving forward to win games. I’m looking forward to winning some big games and having fun.”
lets run it???????? #newchapter@SMUSaints_MBB pic.twitter.com/TurzURxcX9
— Kyle Greeley (@kgreeley5) April 11, 2021
Additionally, Darius Guinn (2018 Grant) has found a new home in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The 6-foot-7 forward was all set to play this season at Bryant but a torn labrum shelved those efforts. Although he wasn’t able to play, he had a good experience his one year at the Division I level but next year he’ll get to playing again at Alaska-Anchorage.
“I wanted to go somewhere that had a sense of loyalty and both Coach (Rusty) Osborne and Coach (Ryan) Orton have shown me that,” Guinn said. “They were the first school to offer me last year and while I went in another direction, they were the first to offer me when I hit the transfer portal within the first two days. I visited and a lot of people have a misconception of what Alaska is like. It was really nice and their facilities were amazing. It felt like the right spot to be at.”
Proving myself right…???? #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/AczaJVJ8jE
— Darius Guinn (@GuinnDarius) April 15, 2021
Two guys that played Division I last year that recently entered the transfer portal and are looking for new homes are Jaden Nielsen-Skinner (2019 South Salem) and Wilfried Likayi (2017 Parkrose). Nielsen-Skinner – best known as “Skinny” – played last season at Portland State as a redshirt freshman and averaged 2.1 points and 2.1 assists in 10.8 minutes per game. He’ll have four years of eligibility remaining. Likayi, who redshirted in 2019-20 due to a knee injury, averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.