Tag: Keeshawn Barthelemy

5 players in the transfer portal Oregon could pursue to replace Eric Williams

A look at five players currently in the transfer portal who Dana Altman and the Ducks could pursue to help replace the minutes vacated by Eric Williams.

The 2021-2022 college basketball season is wrapping up, with the Final Four taking place over the weekend among Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Villanova.

The Oregon Ducks are already on vacation, but coach Dana Altman and his staff have plenty of work to do to reshape the roster heading into next season. They are coming off a year in which a late-season collapse cost them a chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

While there are plenty of players who could depart, either via the transfer portal or the professional ranks, so far the only rotation player to hit the road is wing Eric Williams, who entered the transfer portal earlier in the week.

Williams is a 6-foot-6 combo guard who averaged 27 minutes per night for Oregon this past season, scoring 8.4 points and grabbing 4.6 rebounds while shooting 35.1% from the 3-point line.

Replacing his production is no easy task, although the Ducks have plenty of talent joining the team in their outstanding recruiting class of 2022.

Still, a veteran wing who can score, play solid defense and shoot from the 3-point line would be a really nice addition to this team via the transfer portal, in part to replace Williams and in part to add experience to a team that is losing Williams as well as Jacob Young.

The portal isn’t lacking options that fit those parameters. Below is a list of five candidates currently available that Altman and his staff should pursue if they want to help supplement the young talent on the roster with some experience and shooting.

Buffs guard Keeshawn Barthelemy enters transfer portal

CU point guard Keeshawn Barthelemy has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Keeshawn Barthelemy, one of the leading scorers for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2021-22, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. While not the most surprising news, the Buffs are now faced with the task of replacing the substantial point production that the sophomore point guard brought to the court.

Barthelemy averaged 11.1 points per game and had 78 assists (second-most on the team) last season. But as the season went on, freshman guards K.J. Simpson, who led the squad with 86 assists, and Julian Hammond III both quickly became deserving of increased minutes.

Besides Jabari Walker and his decision of whether or not he will declare for the 2022 NBA Draft or return to Colorado for his junior season, the rest of the Buffs roster is “in with two feet” and committed to staying in Boulder, according to Tad Boyle.

Although the loss of Barthelemy isn’t a small one, it’s possible Colorado could look to bring in some external talent through the portal. With all of the young talent on the roster, however, it may be wise for the Buffs to focus on developing their own guys like Lawson Lovering and incoming freshman Joe Hurlburt.

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Tad Boyle confident in K.J. Simpson and Keeshawn Barthelemy dynamic

K.J. Simpson and Keeshawn Barthelemy will frequently be on the floor together.

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Following the graduation of McKinley Wright IV, there is an opportunity at guard for the Colorado Buffaloes. We saw flashes of sophomore Keeshawn Barthelemy last year and he is now expected to get plenty of minutes at the point. But, freshmen K.J. Simpson and Julian Hammond impressed Tad Boyle in the summer and through the first two weeks of preseason practice.

While both are capable of leading the point, Boyle said that both Simpson and Barthelemy will play together “a fair amount.” The speedy duo should leave teams winded, even away from Boulder.

“When they’re on the court together we got two of the fastest, quickest guards,” Boyle said. “I’d like to see a backcourt in America that’s faster and quicker than those two. They’re going to be terrific together. They both can play on the ball. They both can play off the ball. They both can score the ball and they can pass the ball. I’m looking forward to seeing them. Throw Julian in the mix and our backcourt is again, very inexperienced, but very talented. They’ll make some mistakes early, there’s no doubt about that, but they’re really talented guys and explosive.”

From Simpson’s perspective, he has learned from Barthelemy while also growing their chemistry.

“Every time we’re on the same team, we win the competitions,” Simpson said after practice on Friday. “It’s been good to be able to learn from him as well because he’s learned so much, especially under McKinley when he was here (and) he was able to go at him at practice. Now it’s my turn to go at Kee at practice. We just learn from each other and build that chemistry to be ready for the games when they come.”

After two exhibition games in late October, Colorado will open its season with Montana State on Nov. 9.