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10 Sit-out Transfers To Watch In 2020-2021
They did their time on the bench this past season while their teammates did the heavy lifting, now it’s their turn.
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Malachi Flynn or Jalen Harris? Who’s got next in the Mountain West come 2020-2021?
It was originally announced that the NCAA Division I council could take an official vote regarding a one-time transfer waiver granting all first time transfers currently sitting in the transfer portal immediate eligibility. That vote was scheduled to take place yesterday May 20th during their next meeting, but it appears to have been pushed back to as late as January of next year.
This was the fear of some after the NCAA’s Board of Directors announced there was no necessary legislation to the current system at this time, earlier this month. This coming despite advice from the very group they assigned to brainstorm the ongoing transfer influx problem in favor of a one-time waive, the Transfer Waiver Working Group.
It’s an interesting debate for fans, as having a much-needed player sooner rather than later could make or break a season for some teams. But on the other side, what if that year away from live games, simply adjusting to your new program and evolving your game is what makes the impact players like Jalen Harris or Malachi Flynn have possible? It’s easy to argue for the former from the fan perspective, but some don’t think the proposed headaches coaching staffs would suffer building rosters year in and year out is a big deal given their current freedom of movement within the same structure.
Either way, any constructive discussion on the matter by the folks in charge has simply been delayed, so for now the tradition of sitting out a year for “some” players won’t change in time for next season. So for the guys who have paid their dues to the NCAA, let’s take a look at ten transfers who actually sat out the 2019-2020 season per the established rules a little deeper.
Andrew Dieckhoff gave a very similar preview last June, but rosters have changed in a year’s time and there are some new names added to the list as well as a couple missing because of even furthering transferring.
First up: The Lone Wolves
Ignas Sargiunas | Junior Guard | Colorado State
Formerly Of: Georgia (SEC)
Measurables: 6-5 205 lbs
Past Stats: 1.8 PPG 0.5 APG & 0.5 RPG in 20 games (0 starts) in 2018-2019
Sargiunas is going to be just one of many talented guards on this Colorado State team next season. The backcourt became a little less crowded with a transfer or two at the end of the season but should be one of the deeper ones in the conference with the likes of reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year Isaiah Stevens and more.
Sargiunas is a former four-star recruit coming to the states from his native Lithuania in the class of 2018. He brings plenty of national team experience at the U-15 through U-17 levels, winning Medals throughout. But he couldn’t find a place in the SEC at Georgia and opted for a move out west before the start of last season. With one of the best floor generals in the conference, Sargiunas may find himself on the wing as a shooter than as a primary ball handler, which should work out fine either way.
Marco Anthony | Junior Guard | Utah State
Formerly Of: Virginia (ACC)
Measurables: 6-5 225 lbs
Past Stats: 1.2 PPG 0.5 RPG & 0.5 APG in 22 games (0 starts) in 2018-2019
Though seldom used at Virginia, Anthony was a part of a NCAA championship squad with some spurts of promise during his time with the Cavaliers. It’s questionable to say if his year sitting out and past experience will translate to a role as Sam Merrill‘s replacement, but it’s possible. He may not be the offensive weapon Merrill was (who is though?), but his combination of size at the two spot and athleticism should fit nicely with an already solid returning group.