Tag: transfer

Former Wisconsin transfer helps No. 1 Kansas notch a top-10 win

How AJ Storr performed against North Carolina

Former Wisconsin Badgers transfer A.J. Storr was at the center of No. 1 Kansas’ 92-89 win over No. 9 North Carolina on Friday night.

The former Badger scored 13 points in 27 minutes off the bench, also adding three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s win over Montana State

He is now up to 18 total points, four rebounds, five assists and one steal on 44% shooting and 40% from three-point range thus far through two games. His role and shot volume increased significantly from Kansas’ first to second game of the season — 15 minutes to 27 and five field-goal attempts to 13.

Storr transferred to the Jayhawks this offseason after one year with the Badgers. He averaged 28.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals through that campaign, operating as the team’s primary offensive engine from the start of the season to its conclusion.

His above-the-rim highlight plays have translated to his new program, seen clearly in the first half of Friday’s game:

Aside from Storr, Kansas was led by a player Wisconsin fans are likely familiar with: former Michigan center Hunter Dickinson. The longtime Wisconsin rival finished the last-minute victory with 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists — that tally including the game’s final three points after the score was tied 89-89 with less than 1:30 remaining.

Kansas Jayhawks guard AJ Storr (2) passes to Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the first half of the game against North Carolina Tar Heels inside Allen Fieldhouse Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Storr, Dickinson and the Jayhawks will remain No. 1 in the AP Poll moving forward. Their next contest is Nov. 12 against a strong Michigan State team.

Wisconsin fans should get used to Storr playing a key role on one of the best teams in college basketball in 2024-25.

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How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 campaign with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The primary story from the Badgers’ opener: Transfer wing John Tonje had a program-best debut with 23 points and five rebounds, including going 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Tonje’s Wisconsin debut is significant news for Greg Gard and his staff as they work to replace the production of stars A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who transferred to Kansas and Louisville, respectively, this offseason. That opening performance establishes a comparison point for Tonje that is sure to persist throughout the season — more so with Storr, who plays the same position.

Here is Tonje’s full stat line, and how it compares to how Storr and Hepburn began their respective careers at new programs:

  • Tonje (85-61 win over Holy Cross): 27 minutes, 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, 6 of 11 from the floor, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 8 from the line
  • Storr (87-57 win over Howard): 15 minutes off the bench, five points, two rebounds, two assists, 2 of 5 from the floor, 1 of 1 from 3
  • Hepburn (93-45 win over Morehead State): 21 minutes, eight points, one rebound, four assists, 1 of 3 from the floor, 1 of 2 from 3, 5 of 5 from the line

Tonje boasted the best debut of the three on Monday night, although each played in a blowout nonconference win.

He also fared better than Wisconsin’s other transfer additions. Forward Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) tallied two points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes off the bench. Guard Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) missed the game with an injury.

Gard and the Badgers had a tough task attempting to replace the top-end production of Hepburn, Storr and forward Tyler Wahl (graduation). Tonje already appears to be a viable replacement, enough that his production may best that of Storr on No. 1 Kansas.

Tonje, Amos and possibly Hunter will return to the court on Thursday when the Badgers host Montana State. Storr and No. 1 Kansas will battle No. 9 North Carolina on Friday. Hepburn and Louisville will host No. 12 Tennessee on Saturday.

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Report: Wisconsin transfer WR forced to sit out entire 2024 season

Report: Wisconsin transfer WR addition forced to sit out entire 2024 season

Wisconsin transfer wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, according to several reports, the latest being from BadgerExtra’s Colten Bartholomew.

Griffin was reportedly deemed ineligible for failing to meet the transfer eligibility requirements. WOZN’s Zach Heilprin has clarified that it was an NCAA decision, not a Wisconsin decision.

Related: Wisconsin releases updated depth chart for Week 3 vs. Alabama

Griffin Jr. transferred to the Badgers this spring after a productive pair of seasons at Boston College. He recorded 43 catches, 579 receiving yards and six touchdowns with Boston College.

The 6-foot-4 outside receiver figured to join Wisconsin’s rotation immediately, serving as a complement to Bryson Green and others. However, he was not dressed for the team’s first two games of the season. Now, the reason has become clear. His potential on-field impact will have to wait until 2025.

Wisconsin’s two-deep depth chart entering Week 3 against Alabama lists starters Bryson Green, Will Pauling and Vinny Anthony OR C.J. Williams, plus backups Chris Brooks Jr., Tyrell Henry and Trech Kekahuna. The Badgers are still looking to get their passing offense in a rhythm after a pair of underwhelming performances.

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A first look at Wisconsin basketball’s offseason transfer additions practice

Wisconsin basketball’s offseason transfer additions take the court in a Badger uniform:

Wisconsin basketball is back on the court in preparation for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The season is one of intrigue for many reasons. First, the program hasn’t reached the Sweet Sixteen since 2017 and is in desperate need of offseason success. Second, the Badgers saw starters Chucky Hepburn (portal), A.J. Storr (portal) and Tyler Wahl (graduation) all depart after the 2023-24 season. Greg Gard and his staff worked hard in the transfer portal to mitigate those losses, but the roster improvements are a big unknown until the team takes the court in November.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Those transfer additions were Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos.

Hunter, first, sat out last season with an injury after averaging 16.9 points, 3.9 assists and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 42.3% from the field in 2022-2023. He should immediately play a large role in the team’s back court rotation.

Tonje, next, had a down 2023-24 season at Missouri after averaging 31.3 minutes, 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals on 47% shooting and 39% from 3 in 2022-23 at Colorado State. He brings major-conference experience and should also play a big role immediately.

Amos, finally, was the most important addition of the offseason. He averaged 30.9 minutes, 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks on 57% shooting and 38% from three last season at Northern Illinois. He projects to slide into the starting role left vacant by Wahl’s departure.

Wisconsin basketball will enter 2024-25 with high expectations. The program needs big contributions from all three offseason additions to reach that level.

Here’s a first glimpse at those new players as they and the rest of the team prepare for the upcoming season:

 

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Wisconsin top in-state 2025 target Davion Hannah transferring to Link Academy for senior season

Wisconsin top in-state 2025 target Davion Hannah transferring to Link Academy

Wisconsin basketball’s top in-state class of 2025 target, Davion Hannah, is transferring to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, for his senior season of high school basketball, according to 247Sports’ Evan Flood.

Hannah is not only Wisconsin’s top target in the class of 2025, but also one of the top players in the country. He’s ranked by 247Sports as the No. 27 player in the class, No. 4 combo guard and No. 1 recruit in the state of Wisconsin.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

His transfer to Link Academy — a growing national brand in high school athletics — decreases the likelihood of a potential commitment to Wisconsin.

The four-star guard already has offers from top programs Alabama, Iowa, Louisville, Marquette, Michigan State and Ohio State. That list is sure to explode once his senior season begins. History has shown that once the blue bloods, including Duke and Kentucky get involved, Wisconsin has a low chance of landing a commitment.

The 6-foot, 5-inch guard averaged 19.2 points per game for Nicolet High School last season as his recruiting profile began to grow.

Recent Link Academy men’s basketball graduates include class of 2024 five-star point guard Tre Johnson (committed to Texas), four-star point guard Labaron Philon (Alabama), four-star guard T.O. Barrett (Missouri), four-star small forward Jalen Shelley (USC) and four-star center James Brown (North Carolina). Hannah will arrive on campus along with five-star prospect Chris Cenac Jr., five-star Jerry Easter, four-star John Clark and four-star Trent Perry (2026).

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks No. 6 in the nation with commitments from in-state shooting guard Zach Kinziger and in-state center Will Garlock. The cycle is in its infancy, so expect the ranking to fluctuate as other programs add commitments.

Hannah remains Wisconsin’s top target in the class despite it becoming a tougher recruiting battle with his transfer to Link Academy.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

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ESPN ranks incoming Alabama transfer as the best player from the portal

Kalen DeBoer created some waves around college football by bringing in this highly-touted transfer.

Alabama Crimson Tide football is under new leadership, as Kalen DeBoer takes over as the program’s head coach following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. One of the biggest concerns regarding DeBoer was his recruiting abilities. Those have since been alleviated to a certain degree after the impressive offseason he’s had on the recruiting trail and the transfer portal.

When Saban announced his retirement, numerous high-profile players hit the portal and pledged to continue their collegiate careers at other big-name schools. Defensive back Caleb Downs joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, wide receiver Isaiah Bond went to the Texas Longhorns and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor transferred back to his home state of Iowa to join the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Proctor, however, changed his mind. After transferring to Iowa, Proctor quickly flipped his commitment and made it clear that when the spring window opened, he would transfer back to the Crimson Tide.

Recruiting a player to the program is a difficult task, but recruiting a highly-ranked player that is considered to be one of the best at his position to return to the program he just left is a completely different story.

In ESPN’s latest transfer portal rankings (subscription required) from the 2024 offseason, Proctor ranked as the top overall player.

Billy Tucker of ESPN broke down what his transfer to Alabama means for the program heading into the 2024 season.

“Tide fans already know. He started as a true freshman and, while he had early struggles, he developed into star freshman at left tackle. He comes right back to his starting job on what should be another strong line for Alabama.”

Proctor will return to his role, which is to sure up the offensive line and protect Jalen Milroe, the Tide’s incumbent starting quarterback.

As Tucker mentioned, there were some early-season struggles, but that’s expected when a true freshman is starting on the offensive line in the SEC. After all, he did finish the season on a strong note and was a key contributor to the line.

Only a few months stand between today and the start of the 2024 college football season. Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news and more as the offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward commits to Seton Hall

Another former Badger finds his new transfer home:

Former Wisconsin Badgers freshman forward Gus Yalden committed to Seton Hall on Saturday.

Yalden entered the portal on March 28 after redshirting his only season in Madison. The former top recruit was a center for fan excitement coming out of La Lumiere High School. But he dealt with numerous off-the-court issues in 2023-24 and quickly fell out of favor with the coaching staff.

Related: An updated list of Wisconsin basketball’s transfer portal targets

Yalden was 247Sports’ No. 122 player in the class of 2023, No. 17 center and No. 4 recruit from the state of Indiana. He brings an impressive recruiting potential to the Pirates, though it is potential he still needs to fulfill.

He joins a Seton Hall program that went 25-12 in 2023-24. Head coach Shaheen Holloway took over the program in 2022-23 after longtime head coach Kevin Willard took the Maryland job. These transfer moves are still Holloway working to build his program.

Yalden is one of eight Badgers to enter the portal since the end of the 2023-24 season. Several have found new homes, including Chucky Hepburn at Louisville and A.J. Storr at Kansas.

Greg Gard and his staff continue to work to replace those players as the program moves toward a pivotal 2024-25 season.

For more on Wisconsin basketball’s ongoing transfer portal activity, check out our ongoing tracker of the Badgers transfer portal visits and targets.

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Appalachian State basketball standout commits to Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs added a commitment from the 2023 Sun Belt defensive player of the year

The Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Mike White continued to build their roster for the 2024 season on Wednesday with a transfer from the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Justin Abson, the 2023 Sun Belt defensive player of the year, announced via X that he has committed to the Dawgs.

Abson is a 6-foot-9, 235 pound forward originally from Pompano Beach, Florida. He scored 7.9 points per game along with 7.1 total rebounds per game and averaged a remarkable 2.8 blocks per game, which was third nationally. He will contribute most on the defensive side but shot 61.9 percent from the field and can be a solid offensive piece in Athens as well.

Abson gives the Dawgs their second transfer addition of this offseason cycle, joining De’Shayne Montgomery from Mount St. Mary’s, and their first addition at the forward position. Abson chose the Dawgs over Michigan and Xavier, who were also active in his pursuit.

Alabama G Latrell Wrightsell Jr. announces his return to Alabama in 2024-25

Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. set to use his additional year of eligibility and return to Tuscaloosa next season

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team received some great news this morning as guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. announced his decision to use his final year of eligibility to return to Alabama next season. It still depends on who else comes back to the team and who Oats can land via the transfer portal, but Wrightsell will more than likely be a full-time starter next season after starting just 12 of 31 games in the 2023-2024 season.

Wrightsell dealt with a plethora of injuries all season long as he missed six games, but he was without question one of the most impactful players on the Crimson Tide roster. Despite never being fully healthy, Wrightsell was still able to average 8.9 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game and in fact, he scored at least 10 points in 10 games for Alabama last year. Alabama was 10-0 in those contests.

After spending his first three seasons with Cal State Fullerton, there was a bit of an adjustment period to playing in Alabama’s up-tempo offense. However, come tournament time, he was as valuable as anyone not named Mark Sears or Grant Nelson.

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Former Georgia defensive lineman announces transfer destination

Former Georgia defender announces decision to join the Texas Longhorns via the transfer portal

After entering the transfer portal just over a week ago, a former Georgia defender has found his new home. Bill Norton, who spent four years with the Dawgs before playing last season with the Arizona Wildcats, has announced his decision to join the Texas Longhorns for the 2024 season.

Norton is listed at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. A four-star recruit in the class of 2019, he recorded 13 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss during his time at Georgia in a limited role. Last season with Arizona, he played in all thirteen games, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for a strong Wildcats’ defense that helped pave the way for their 10-3 season.

Norton will provide a boost to a Longhorn defensive line that is looking to replace two future NFL players in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. He joins Tiaoalii Savea as the second Wildcat defensive lineman to join the Longhorns this offseason and is the third transfer into the unit overall as Steve Sarkisian attempts to prepare his roster for their jump into the Southeastern Conference.