Who’s left?: The best available college basketball transfers

By Scott PhillipsMay 2, 2014, 3:30 PM EDT

Now that we’ve entered the month of May, rosters are beginning to take shape for the 2014-15 college basketball season but there are still plenty of talented available players available.

CBT already profiled the best high school seniors that are left in the college basketball recruiting world earlier on Friday and now we take a look at some impact transfers that are still without a new home.

WHO’S LEFT?: High School Prospects | Junior College Transfers

Here’s an update on some of the best college basketball transfers that are still out there:

1. Ryan Anderson, Boston College: A 6-foot-8 junior and California native, Anderson was supposed to help Boston College turn it around this season as he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on solid 48 percent shooting from field and 73 percent shooting from the free-throw line. The Eagles never found their footing during the 2013-14 season, however, as they finished near the bottom of the ACC and head coach Steven Donahue was let go. Anderson has official visits lined up to Iowa State (May 2), Indiana (May 5) and Arizona (May 8), per his Twitter account. Anderson will only have one season left of eligibility, but he’s talented enough on the interior to be a major contributor in his senior season.

2. Kareem Canty, Marshall: The 6-foot-1 freshman point guard from New York led Marshall in scoring (16.3 ppg) and assists (5.5 apg) during his initial campaign but tallied poor shooting percentages as he shot 37 percent from the floor and 30 percent from three. Canty has already taken a visit to Auburn and is scheduled for three more official visits to South Florida (May 2-4), Penn State (May 9-11) and UNLV (May 12-14). Canty was wild at times during his freshman season, but he has two years of eligibility left (he began as a partial qualifier) and is talented enough to be a difference-maker down the road.

3. Ian Chiles, IUPUI: The 6-foot-1 senior guard from Louisville has one season of eligibility remaining after averaging 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season while shooting 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range. With Chiles having immediate eligibility, he’s a valuable graduate transfer as Chiles has already taken a visit to Auburn and has interest from Maryland, South Florida, Tennessee and Western Kentucky, according to ESPN.com’s Jeff Goodman. Chiles was asked to do a lot for struggling IUPUI last season, but could be a nice complimentary player in his final season if he opts to go to a power conference.

4. Eron Harris, West Virginia: Harris had a tremendous sophomore season for the Mountaineers as the 6-foot-3 sophomore averaged 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Harris won’t receive his official release until the end of the semester at West Virginia — so not much is known on his current recruiting situation — but he does want to play closer to his native Indianapolis, according to Rivals.com‘s Jeff Rabjohns. Don’t be surprised if local programs Butler, Indiana and Purdue all inquire about Harris once he receives his release.

5. Danuel House, Houston: The 6-foot-7 sophomore wing had a solid season in the American as he averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from three-point range. UCLA is already involved with House and will likely receive a visit, while USC is also in the mix according to ESPN.com‘s Jeff Goodman. House has some transfer restrictions to work through as he leaves Houston, but the sophomore is still big enough and athletic enough to be an impact wing in his final two seasons.

6. Cole Huff, Nevada: The 6-foot-8 sophomore had a breakthrough sophomore season for the Wolfpack as Huff saw his minutes and seasonal averages increase across the board. Huff averaged 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting it well from all over the floor (45% FG, 82% FT, 40% 3PT). The forward is now down to Creighton and Iowa, according to grassroots coach Clint Parks, and Huff visited the Bluejays last week and is currently on a visit in Iowa City. With another year of development, it will be interesting to see how Huff would contribute in the Big East or Big Ten.

7. TaShawn Thomas, Houston: The 6-foot-8 junior forward averaged 15.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game on 59 percent field goal shooting for the Cougars. Once new head coach Kelvin Sampson was hired at Houston, however, Thomas wanted to pursue other options. Those other options include a visit to Miami and schools like Oklahoma and Oregon showing interest, according to ESPN.com‘s Jeff Goodman. Thomas could be a major impact as an interior scorer and defender in his final season of college basketball, as he led the Cougars in points, rebounds and blocks.

8. Byron Wesley, USC: The 6-foot-5 junior had a solid season during head coach Andy Enfield’s first year on the job as Wesley put up 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three-point range. Wesley is down to three now, as he’s scheduled visits to Oklahoma State (May 2), Gonzaga (May 9) and Pitt (May 16), according to Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com. Wesley will have one more year of college basketball left and any of those three programs could use an additional scoring threat from the wing.

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NCAA tweaks rules on block/charge calls in men’s basketball

Associated PressJun 8, 2023, 9:14 PM EDT

Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA is tweaking how block/charge calls are made in men’s basketball.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes on Thursday that require a defender to be in position to draw a charge at the time the offensive player plants a foot to go airborne for a shot. If the defender arrives after the player has planted a foot, officials have been instructed to call a block when there’s contact.

Defenders had to be in position to draw a charge before the offensive player went airborne under previous rules.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee members made the proposal after NCAA members complained that too many charges were being called on those types of plays.

The panel also approved reviews of basket interference calls during the next media timeout – if the official called it on the floor – a shot clock reset to 20 seconds on an offensive rebound that hits the rim, and players being allowed to wear any number between 0 and 99.

A timeout also will be granted to an airborne player with possession of the ball, and non-student bench personnel will be allowed to serve as peacekeepers on the floor if an altercation occurs.

Charlotte head coach Ron Sanchez resigns after winning CBI title

Associated PressJun 7, 2023, 1:39 PM EDT

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ron Sanchez resigned as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers.

Sanchez took over the 49ers on March 19, 2018, inheriting a team coming off a 6-23 campaign. In five years Charlotte went 72-78 under Sanchez, highlighted by winning the College Basketball Invitational championship this past season, the Niners’ first post-season tournament title in school history.

The 22 wins this past season are the most for Charlotte since 2001.

“Ron took over a proud but struggling program and carefully rebuilt it into a 22-game winner. He has led with class, dignity and devotion to our young men,” Charlotte director of athletics Mike Hill said. “His decision to step down from Charlotte was a difficult one for him and everyone associated with our program. We wish him and his family every happiness.”

Hill said the team has already begun a national search for a replacement.

“This is a bittersweet day for me and my family as I step down to pursue other opportunities,” said Sanchez, who came the 49ers after working as an assistant coach at Virginia under Tony Bennett. “It has been a tremendous privilege to lead the 49ers basketball program over the past five years and I want to thank Niner Nation for its support. I will be forever grateful to my staff, players and the university.”

Marquette extends Shaka Smart’s contract through 2029-30 season

Associated PressJun 6, 2023, 9:55 PM EDT

Adam Cairns/USA TODAY NETWORK

MILWAUKEE — Marquette coach Shaka Smart has received a contract extension after leading the Golden Eagles to their first outright regular-season championship and tournament title in the Big East.

Smart’s contract now runs through the 2029-30 season. This is the first extension Smart has received since signing a six-year deal when he took over as Marquette’s coach in 2021.

Marquette didn’t release financial terms of Smart’s deal.

“In a very short period of time, Shaka and his staff have done a tremendous job of establishing a winning culture, both on and off the court,” athletic director Bill Scholl said in a statement. “Shaka’s vision for the program is focused on extended, sustainable success. The individuals who interact with the team on a daily basis are able to observe frequent examples of growth and the excitement around the program is contagious.”

Marquette has gone 48-20 in Smart’s two seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament each of those years.

The Golden Eagles went 29-7 and won the Big East’s regular-season and tournament championships last season after the league’s coaches had picked them to finish ninth out of 11 teams. Marquette’s season ended with a 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.

Purdue’s Edey returning to school at NBA draft deadline; Kentucky’s Tshiebwe stays in

Associated PressJun 1, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue’s Zach Edey decided it was the right call to go back to school instead of staying in the NBA draft. His predecessor as national player of the year, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, is sticking with his pro pursuit.

And Connecticut’s reign as NCAA champion will begin with multiple starters having left for the NBA draft and one returning after flirting with doing the same.

The 7-foot-4 Edey and UConn guard Tristen Newton were among the notable names to announce that they were withdrawing from the draft, the NCAA’s deadline for players who declared as early entrants to pull out and retain their college eligibility.

Edey’s decision came in social media posts from both the center and the Boilermakers program that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament behind Edey, The Associated Press men’s national player of the year.

But Tshiebwe announced late in the afternoon that he would remain in the draft after a college career that included being named the AP national player of the year in 2022.

For the current champions, Newton (10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds) is returning after being one of four Huskies to declare for the draft after a run to UConn’s fifth national championship in early April. He scored a game-high 19 points to go with 10 rebounds in the victory over San Diego State in the title game.

The others were Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo, wing Jordan Hawkins and versatile guard Andre Jackson Jr. Sanogo (17.8 points) and Hawkins (16.3) have made it clear they have closed the door on their college careers, while team spokesman Phil Chardis said that Jackson (6.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists) would remain in the draft.

The Huskies have 247sports’ No. 3-ranked recruiting class for next year to restock the roster, led by McDonald’s All-American point guard Stephon Castle.

The NBA’s withdrawal deadline is June 12, but is moot when it comes to college players returning to school due to the NCAA’s earlier timeline to retain playing eligibility.

STAYING IN SCHOOL

TREY ALEXANDER: Creighton gets back a 6-4 guard who averaged 13.6 points and shot 41% from 3-point range in his first full season as a starter.

ADEM BONA: The 6-foot-10 forward and Pac-12 freshman of the year is returning to UCLA after starting 32 games as a rookie and averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks – with coach Mick Cronin praising his toughness for “competing through multiple injuries for as long as he could” in a statement Wednesday.

EDEY: He averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 60.7% from the field. His presence alone helps Purdue be a factor in the Big Ten race.

JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: The 6-6 guard went through the NBA G League Combine and had workouts with multiple teams before opting to return to Tennessee for a fifth season alongside teammate Santiago Vescovi.

JUDAH MINTZ: The 6-3 freshman averaged 16.3 points and 4.6 assists for Syracuse, ranking third among Division I freshmen in scoring behind only Alabama’s Brandon Miller and Lamar’s Nate Calmese.

OWLS’ RETURNEES: Florida Atlantic got good news after its surprise Final Four run with the return leading scorers Johnell Davis (13.8) and Alijah Martin (13.4). ESPN first reported their decisions, while Martin later posted a social media statement.

TERRENCE SHANNON JR.: Illinois got a big boost with Shannon announcing his night in a social media post. The 6-6 guard is returning for a fifth college season after averaging 17.2 points.

SPARTANS’ RETURNEES: Michigan State announced that guards Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard have withdrawn from the NBA draft. Standout guard Tyson Walker had previously withdrawn in April, setting up Tom Izzo to have five of his top scorers back.

GOING PRO

KOBE BROWN: Missouri’s 6-8 swingman opted against returning for a fifth college season after being an AP first-team all-Southeastern Conference pick averaging 15.8 points last season.

JAYLEN CLARK: The third-year UCLA guard averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while leading the Pac-12 with 2.6 steals en route to being named Naismith national defensive player of the year. Cronin called him a winner with strong intangibles who made UCLA “a better program because he chose to be a Bruin.”

BRICE SENSABAUGH: The Ohio State freshman averaged 16.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 31 games before missing his final two in the Big Ten Tournament due to a knee injury. He’s a potential first-round prospect.

TSHIEBWE: The 6-9, 260-pound forward is a tough interior presence who led the country in rebounds for two straight seasons (15.1 in 2022, 13.7 in 2023) while racking up 48 double-doubles. But he faces an uncertain next stop and is projected at best as a second-round prospect.

North Carolina transfer Caleb Love commits to Arizona

Associated PressMay 31, 2023, 10:59 AM EDT

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Love is now headed to Arizona.

The North Carolina transfer tweeted, less than a month after decommitting from Michigan, that he will play next season with the Wildcats.

“Caleb is a tremendously talented guard who has significant experience playing college basketball at a high level,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said in a statement. “We look forward to helping Caleb grow his game at Arizona. And as we near the completion of the roster for the upcoming season, we feel great about how everything has come together. Now it’s time for the real work to start.”

A 6-foot-4 guard, Love averaged 14.6 points and 3.3 assists in three seasons at North Carolina. He averaged 17.6 points in seven NCAA Tournament games, helping lead the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game.

Love entered the transfer portal after leading North Carolina with 73 3-pointers as a junior and initially committed to Michigan. He decommitted from the Wolverines earlier this month, reportedly due to an admissions issue involving academic credits.

Love narrowed his transfer targets to three schools before choosing to play at Arizona over Gonzaga and Texas.

Love will likely start on a team that will have dynamic perimeter players, including Pelle Larsson, Kylan Boswell and Alabama transfer Jaden Bradley.