Dayton landed one of the top rebounders on the transfer “market” Thursday night, as NBC Sports confirmed that former Bradley forward Josh Cunningham has decided to transfer to the Atlantic 10 program. News of Cunningham’s transfer was first reported by the Joe Henricksen of the City/Suburban Hoops Report.
Cunningham, who will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2015-16 campaign, averaged 7.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season and earned Missouri Valley All-Freshman Team honors. The 6-foot-7 forward reached double figures in rebounds in nine games a season ago, including a 21-rebound outing (along with 15 points) in a three-point loss at Missouri State in late February.
Cunningham’s a quality pickup for Archie Miller’s Flyers, and they’ll lose two forwards in Dyshawn Pierre and Bobby Wehrli at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Dayton, which once again reached the NCAA tournament (and won two games once there) despite dismissing their two tallest players from the roster, will have more front court options in 2015-16. In addition to Pierre, one of the top players in the Atlantic 10, and Wehrli the Flyers return Kendall Pollard and add five players.
Included in that group are three true freshmen, a transfer in Charles Cooke who sat out last season after arriving from James Madison, and 6-foot-11 redshirt freshman Steve McElvene. McElvene was not cleared to play in games last season.