Who might Texas Longhorns basketball target in the portal? Here are 10 players to watch.
Thomas JonesIt’s been almost two weeks since the transfer portal opened, and the Texas basketball program has yet to make any moves.
Little-used forward Alex Anamekwe submitted his name into the portal before the NCAA Tournament began, and rumors have swirled around sophomore forward Dillon Mitchell and junior guard Tyrese Hunter, a pair of two-year starters who have said they'll explore their NBA options.
But no Texas player has officially joined Anamekwe in the portal yet, and no transfers have committed to the Longhorns, who went 21-13 this season and lost to Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend.
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The lack of early portal action comes as no surprise, considering how Texas has handled transfers under second-year coach Rodney Terry. Last year, the Longhorns landed forward Kadin Shedrick and guard Max Abmas in late April, guard Chendall Weaver and forward Ze’Rik Onyema in early May, and guard Ithiel Horton in the summer.
Which players could Texas lure in the portal this year? Here are 10 possible targets, based on positions of need and mutual interest:
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Malik Dia, F, Belmont: The 6-foot-9, 240-pound sophomore has drawn UT's interest after averaging 16.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in only 23 minutes a game for the Missouri Valley Conference power, but he’s also weighing his NBA options.
Keanu Dawes, F, Rice: The athletic 6-9 power forward had a Texas offer out of Houston Stratford High School and flashed his potential with 6.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23.8 minutes a game while earning all-freshman honors in the American Athletic Conference.
Brandon Garrison, F, Oklahoma State: A true big man at 6-11 and 245 pounds, Garrison fielded an offer from Texas out of high school in Oklahoma City and averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 57.2% from the floor this season.
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Eddie Lampkin, F, Colorado: Texas fans know the burly 6-11 forward (a senior from Katy) who averaged 10.6 points, seven rebounds and 2.2 assists in one season at Colorado after a stint at TCU.
Zeke Mayo, G, South Dakota State: Texas has reportedly reached out to the 6-4 junior shooting guard, the Summit League's player of the year, who averaged 18.8 points while shooting 39% from 3-point range. But he's also expected to explore his draft options.
Micah Peavy, F, TCU: The 6-8 graduate transfer could continue his old Southwest Conference tour after stops at Texas Tech and TCU, and he would provide a long, athletic, versatile option. He averaged 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season for the Frogs.
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Jestin Porter, G, Middle Tennessee State: An underrecruited 6-1 guard from Houston Cypress Ridge, the junior earned second-team All-Conference USA honors this season after averaging a team-high 13.9 points and leading the Blue Raiders with 32 steals.
Andrej Stojakovic, F, Stanford: A former five-star recruit, the 6-7 son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic considered Texas out of high school and averaged almost eight points and three rebounds this season as a freshman.
AJ Storr, F, Wisconsin: One of the top transfers in the nation, the 6-7 sophomore, who averaged a team-high 16.8 points this season, had talks with Texas before joining the Badgers last year from St. John’s.
Brendan Wenzel, G, Wyoming: The senior 6-6 guard from San Antonio had interest in Texas out of O’Connor High, and that might now be reciprocated after he averaged 15 points and four rebounds this season.