Tag: CJ Wilcher

HC Buzz Williams praises Texas A&M’s offseason transfer portal additions

Texas A&M’s transfer portal additions, including Zhuric Phelps, Pharrel Payne and CJ Wilcher have helped lead the Aggies to an 11-2 record

Texas A&M’s 11-2 record in nonconference play represents the best start for coach Buzz Williams amid his sixth season with the program, mainly due to the returning veterans from the 2023-2024 roster, led by senior point guard Wade Taylor IV.

After losing veteran guard Tyrece “Boots” Radford to graduation, Williams knew that the only way the Aggies wouldn’t drop off from a production standpoint, especially in the backcourt, was to add a veteran guard to pair with Taylor. This led to the landing of former SMU guard Zhuric Phelps.

Needing an athletic forward to pair with Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, Williams gained a commitment from former Minnesota big game Pharrel Payne. At the same time, the final addition of transfer guard CJ Wilcher rounded out the most successful transfer portal haul in several offseasons.

So far, Phelps is second on the team with 12.9 points per game and a team-leading 2.6 steals per game, while Pharrel Payne has begun to ascend (7.3 ppg), and CJ Wilcher leads with Aggies from beyond the arc (39%)

During Tuesday’s Aggie Basketball Hour, Williams discussed the impact the transfer additions have made both culturally and on the court before hosting the Texas Longhorns to open SEC play on Saturday night:

“The staff has been near perfect in the vetting of those young men. Those decisions have to be made quickly with the portal changing each hour. If their character fits, it allows us to gain traction.”

Williams is known for recruiting character-rich players who fit his demanding defensive system, and so far, all three players have fit the mold, especially over the last month.

Texas A&M will host Texas on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7:00 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Instant reaction to Texas A&M basketball’s win 92-54 over Abilene Christian

Texas A&M will go into SEC play on a six-game winning streak after defeating ACU 92-54 at Reed Arena

Texas A&M (11-2) extends its winning streak to six after beating Abilene Christian (8-6) at Reed Arena Saturday afternoon.

The initial half of this contest resembled a fast-paced track meet between two highly athletic teams.

In contrast to their start against HCU last week, Texas A&M showcased improved efficiency, shooting over 60% from the field, with CJ Wilcher scoring 12 points and sinking four three-pointers to top all scorers in the first half. The defense also excelled, forcing 12 turnovers and limiting the opposition to just 11 successful shots, resulting in a 48-29 lead at halftime.

A&M slowed the pace just a little bit in the second half, but the defense stayed relentless. Wade Taylor IV is back in the lineup and picked up his offensive output, scoring double digits in the half and finishing his first double-double. The Maroon & White cruised to a 92-54 victory in which all 12 players scored at least once.

GAME NOTES:

  • Wade Taylor’s 15 points and 10 assists gave him his first career double-double
  • Texas A&M outrebounded ACU 41-21
  • 58.5% FG / 40% 3PT / 73.3% FT

Note: Wade Taylor has passed Vernon Smith for second place in Texas A&M basketball’s all-time scoring list and is now 212 points away from Bernard King as the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Texas A&M will start conference play against the Texas Longhorns at Reed Arena on Jan. 4 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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Former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope will announce his transfer decision on Wednesday

It’s down to Texas or Texas A&M for former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope, who will make his announcement on Wednesday

Texas A&M Basketball has already landed two key players from the transfer portal in the last two days. Former Nebraska guard CJ Wilcher and former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne will move to College Station for the 2024-2025 season.

Combined with the official return of star guard Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M’s roster is in good hands once again, but to finally take the next step after falling to the No. 1-seed Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament last month, more help is needed through the portal.

Already hosting a bevy of talent this month, one of the top available guards is set to make his decision after visiting the program last week, as former Oregon State leading scorer Jordan Pope will announce his decision between Texas and Texas A&M on Wednesday evening, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.

In what could be an elite backcourt for the Aggies next season if Pope were to commit, he definitely proved his ability in 2023, leading the Beavers with 17.6 points, shooting 45% from the field, 37% from 3-point range, and 87% from the stripe.

While Texas certainly needs a replacement for the departing Max Abmas, Tyrece Radford’s Aggie career has also ended, providing Pope with a clear path to a starting spot opposite Taylor and incoming senior Manny Obaseki.

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Texas A&M lands a commitment from former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne

Texas A&M Basketball has landed another commitment from the transfer portal, as former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne is making his way to College Station

Texas A&M head basketball coach Buzz Willimas has acquired two players through the transfer portal in the last two days, as former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne will make his way to College Station for the 2024-2025 season, coming off his productive 2023 season.

After the announcement that starting guard Wade Taylor IV would officially return next season, the Aggies are just a couple of transfer additions away from earning a potential third consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Needing to fill several holes on the depth chart after the departure of veteran guard Tyrece Radford, while the reveal of senior forward Julius Marbles’ legal issues eliminates his future on the roster, Williams’ addition of former Nebraska guard CJ Wilcher, who shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc last season, was just the first step.

With Tuesday’s addition from Pharrel Payne, who stands at 6-9 and 255 pounds, Payne averaged an impressive 10 points and 6.1 rebounds during his 2023 sophomore season while shooting 60% from the field. Payne is a dominant inside presence, bringing elite athleticism and plenty of offensive upside. He also averaged 1.4 blocks in 2023.

With plenty of talent remaining in the transfer portal, especially at guard, the expectations have just been heightened.

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