2014-15 College Basketball Transfers, Rumors, Grads, and Packed Bag Updates

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  Oct 2
#Vols forward Woodson receives run-off waiver http://www.knoxnews.com/govolsxtra/basketball/tennessee-forward-dominic-woodson-receives-runoff-waiver-from-ncaa_29848282 ...

7-foot transfer from Memphis

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  21 hours ago

Big news for Memphis earlier today as Vandy transfer Kedren Johnson has been cleared to play this season by NCAA.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Wiltjer remodeled his body and game while sitting out last season

No longer is Wiltjer content to be known as a skilled but soft spot-up shooter more comfortable floating to the perimeter than fighting for position near the rim. The former prized recruit intends to use his fresh start at Gonzaga to shed the label of defensive liability and reemerge as a more well-rounded scoring threat versatile enough to rain down threes, aggressively attack the rim or score with his back to the basket.

To accomplish those goals this season, Wiltjer first had to commit to changing his body.

He began working out with Gonzaga strength coach Travis Knight twice a day soon after arriving at Gonzaga 13 months ago, focusing on everything from correcting his awkward running style, to improving his mobility and lateral quickness, to adding lean muscle mass so he wouldn't be pushed around in the paint so easily. Yoga sessions and a healthier diet have also helped Wiltjer gradually move more freely, increase his bench press and vertical leap and develop superior strength and lateral quickness.

"His movement when he first got here was painful," Knight said. "Nothing was easy or smooth or natural. Everything seemed to be held back, whether his knees bothered him or his hips or his back. He moved like a guy that was a lot older than he was. To see him go from that to now where he's making hard cuts to the basket and finishing with ease with a dunk on every play, that's his biggest improvement. He just looks so smooth, natural and effortless now."

If Wiltjer's hard work enables him to become a more multidimensional player this season, that would be a huge boost for a Gonzaga program with Final Four aspirations.

[jbcarol]

Update on former Florida player Cody Larson:

South Dakota State's Cody Larson thrives despite return home amidst unmet expectations

Cody Larson was supposed to be the "Next Big Thing" to come out of South Dakota.

He was supposed to be the heir apparent to the state's most famous athlete, and that speculation was only fueled when he followed in Mike Miller's footsteps, committing to play basketball at Florida. He enrolled at the school in the summer of 2010, but his time associated with the Gators only generated headlines for his off-court issues. He had plenty.

As a senior in high school, Larson was kicked off of the Roosevelt High team, in February of 2010, and barred from having any contact with them during their run through the state tournament. According to Larson, the suspension and resulting charge was a result of sharing hydrocodone leftover from his knee surgery a year prior with a teammate battling shin splints. He pleaded guilty that May to inhabiting a room where drugs are knowingly kept and used and was given a 120-day suspended sentence and two years' probation.

He violated that probation a year later in a bizarre incident that took place in St. Augustine, Florida. Larson, who was redshirting that season, went out drinking with teammate Erik Murphy and a team manager. They ended up arrested and charged with felony burglary for allegedly breaking into a car, their mug shots and a recording of the players from the backseat of a police cruiser going viral. Larson avoided jailtime for the probation violation, getting his suspended sentence reinstated and an additional two years of probation tacked on.

Larson was reinstated to the team in October of 2011, seeing action in 25 games during the 2011-12 season, but after the season was over, Larson had his scholarship pulled by head coach Billy Donovan. He was allowed to remain on the roster as a walk-on, but he would have to prove that he was worthy of remaining on scholarship.

That didn't last, as Larson made the decision to leave the program just a couple of weeks prior to the start of the season...

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  41m

Former Auburn basketball player Shaq Johnson reportedly punched man's teeth out following 'dance off' http://ow.ly/BzET3

The sore loser was playing for Longwood.

The judge in the criminal case against Shaq Johnson has ordered a nolle prosequi

A nolle prosequi ruling does not mean that Johnson was acquitted of the charges or that he was found innocent. It simply means that he will no longer be prosecuted. This often happens in association with plea agreements or if it is determined that there is not enough evidence to earn a conviction.

Johnson was involved in a bizarre incident last month when he was arrested and charged with felony malicious wounding for a fight that allegedly occurred after he lost a dance-off. The super-athletic, 6-foot-4 wing is a former top 100 recruit that wound up at Longwood after spending time at both Auburn and Northwest Florida State. He was dismissed from Auburn after he was charged with possession.

[jbcarol]

New Minnesota transfer Zach Lofton has been dismissed from the team -- effective immediately -- for failing to meet the expectations and obligations of the team per a press release issued on Wednesday evening.

"While decisions like this are always difficult, we felt it was in the interest of our program to move forward at this time," coach Richard Pitino said in the release. "We wish Zach nothing but the best in the future."

Lofton, who joined the team this season, has made more than a few stops. The 6-foot-4 guard originally hails from St. Paul and attended St. Bernard's for two years until it closed, and then Columbia Heights High School. Afterwards, he played at Quakerdale Prep, San Jacinto College-Central and Illinois State for one year each before arriving in Minnesota.

Last year, the highly athletic Lofton averaged 11.3 points and three rebounds and shot just 33.9 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three-point range...

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  7 hours ago
Conner Frankamp leaving Kansas basketball | http://CJOnline.com  http://cjonline.com/sports/2014-10-31/conner-frankamp-leaving-ku-basketball ...

The 6-foot Wichita guard committed to Kansas as a sophomore at Wichita North...

After getting only limited minutes a season ago, Conner and his father, Marty, met with coach Bill Self on Wednesday before confirming Thursday that Conner would be transferring to another school at the end of the semester.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels @EvanDaniels  ·  10 hours ago
Conner Frankamp (http://foxs.pt/1zRyQQ9 ) was the No. 10 ranked PG and No. 46 overall prospect in the 2013 class.

[jbcarol]

Gary Bedore @GaryBedore  ·  Oct 31
Crazy thing is Conner would have started Monday

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  3 hours ago
Tough news for Rhode Island. Jordan Hare has left the program.


Auburn lock?

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  21 hours ago
Kevin Ware's line in first game for Georgia State: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals in 28 minutes.

[jbcarol]

In an unrelated development:

Edgar Thompson @osgators  ·  15 minutes ago
UF has announced Dillon Graham is transferring seconds after SI and http://ESPN.com  announced Will Muschamp has been fired.


6-4 Jr. from Orlando First School.  Missed all but opener last season with bone spurs in hips.


Select last words from Graham as a Gator:

Dillon Graham retweeted
Scott Carter @GatorZoneScott  ·  Nov 13
Nothing else I tweet today will match this, so here goes one more time. Muschamp dancing: #espn http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11869272 ... #Gators

Dillon Graham @DillGraham12  ·  Nov 13
Never trust a 🙎

Dillon Graham @DillGraham12  ·  Nov 14
Here's to the good times

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  6 hours ago
Through two games Tennessee transfer Quinton Chievous leads Hampton in points (14.5) and rebounds (7).

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  16 hours ago

Gonzaga also gets former Tulsa/Vandy guard Eric McClellan at the break. Led Vandy in scoring last season until he was booted.

[NoNC4Tubs]

The judge in the criminal case against Shaq Johnson has ordered a nolle prosequi

A nolle prosequi ruling does not mean that Johnson was acquitted of the charges or that he was found innocent. It simply means that he will no longer be prosecuted. This often happens in association with plea agreements or if it is determined that there is not enough evidence to earn a conviction.

....or if you're a college athlete in Lee County, Alabama. 

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  3 hours ago

BREAKING ---- Missouri transfer + fmr Notre Dame guard Cameron Biedscheid has committed to Iona, source told @CBSSports. Story coming.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels @EvanDaniels  ·  10 hours ago
Conner Frankamp (http://foxs.pt/1zRyQQ9 ) was the No. 10 ranked PG and No. 46 overall prospect in the 2013 class.

Conner Frankamp will continue his collegiate career in the state of Kansas, as he will transfer to Wichita State.

Paul Sullentrop and Bob Lutz of the Wichita Eagle reported the transfer on Monday evening. The news was later confirmed by a multiple other media outlets.

"I think Coach (Gregg) Marshall can improve my game quite a bit," Frankamp told the paper. "I've been very impressed with how Ron (Baker) and Fred (VanVleet) have developed as players. I think they have a good chance to get to the league (NBA)."

In his lone season at Kansas, Frankamp averaged 2.5 points in 8.3 minutes per game. During the 2014 NCAA Tournament, he saw a spike in play time, logging an average of 21.5 minutes per game in the Jayhawks' two contests.

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  2 hours ago

Danuel House's transfer to A&M already paid off big time for Aggies vs. SHSU: http://www.chron.com/default/article/House-s-late-3-helps-Aggies-hold-off-Sam-Houston-5934025.php ...

A&M defeats Sam Houston 66-63 here in Reed Arena on the strength of a late Danuel House 3-pointer. A&M 5-1 on season.


Got eligible during their holiday trip and hit game winning three against Sam Houston.

[jbcarol]

Patrick Magee @Patrick_Magee  ·  2 hours ago

Southern Miss basketball coach Doc Sadler announces that he has released a pair of guards - Shadell Millinghaus & Dallas Anglin.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  20 hours ago
Auburn adds center Trayvon Reed to basketball roster; big man immediately eligible http://ow.ly/FO0cB

The 7-foot-2, 230-pound center signed with Maryland initially but was not allowed to enroll following an arrest in July. He was charged for theft under $100, second-degree assault of a police officer and second-degree assault stemming from a shoplifting incident.

Auburn commit Trayvon Reed, a 7-foot-1 center expected  to join the Tigers' basketball team this season, pled guilty to second-degree misdemeanor assault on Friday in district court in Hyattsville.

Reed's sentencing was pushed back to April, according to the Baltimore Sun's interview with the center's attorney, because neither Reed nor the arresting officer was able to appear in court.

Reed has spent the fall semester enrolled at ELEV|8 Sports Institute, a prep school in Delray Beach, Fla.

Reed signed with Maryland out of high school, but he wasn't allowed to enroll after being arrested in late July and charged with theft under $100, second-degree assault of a police officer and second-degree assault stemming from a shoplifting incident.

According to the Sun, Reed was observed by a plainclothes officer putting two candy bars and an ice cream bar in his sweatpants before leaving a 7-11 in July, then got into a scuffle after he tried to run away, a scuffle that resulted in a broken finger for the officer.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  19 hours ago
#Vols forward Dominic Woodson is transferring from Tennessee, per UT release.

To those just tuning into the Dom Woodson stuff, he had missed the last two weeks of practices to "focus on academics." This isn't a shock

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  20 minutes ago

Florida transfer Dillon Graham is heading to Embry Riddle.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  4 hours ago

Mid-Season Transfer list now at 37 names with the addition of William Gates Jr. (son of former Hoop Dreams star) -- who is leaving Furman.

[jbcarol]

Rob Dauster @RobDauster  ·  17 hours ago

The Ten Most Important Midseason Additions http://wp.me/p1aWjM-29YE

Alex Murphy, Florida: Murphy never could find a spot in the Duke lineup, which is why he transferred out of the program last winter.

Trayvon Reed, Auburn: Reed began his Auburn career on Sunday, picking up four fouls in eight minutes. The 7-foot-1 top 100 recruit is talented and promising, but he's still very much a prospect at this point.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  1 hour ago
Duke transfer F Alex Murphy to debut for Gators today v. Wake Forest - http://brockway.blogs.gatorsports.com/12809/murphy-to-play-against-wake-forest/ ...

G Eli Carter out for Wake Forest game with strep throat, but w/Murphy cleared, Gators still will have rotation that's nine-deep today.

[jbcarol]

Dick Vitale worked the UCLA-Gonzaga game last weekend and came away impressed with former UK player Kyle Wiltjer.

"Kyle Wiltjer has become terrific," Vitale said. "He's trimmed his body down. He's playing with confidence. He's not worried about coming in and out of the game."

Going into this weekend, Wiltjer led Gonzaga in scoring (17.2 ppg) and blocks (seven). He had made 15 of 38 three-point shots (39.5 percent) and 67 of 124 overall (54 percent).

"One thing that he has," Vitale said, "when he shoots the ball, which is a lost art today, you feel it's going in. (Gonzaga Coach) Mark Few just raves about him."

Wiltjer was averaging 26.1 minutes, which is only slightly more than what he averaged at UK as a sophomore (23.8 mpg).

[jbcarol]

Russ Wood @RussHoops  ·  8 hours ago
Per a source, former University of Texas guard Demarcus Croaker will transfer to Murray State

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  23 minutes ago
BREAKING --- Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye has committed to SMU, sources told @CBSSports. Story coming.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  14 hours ago

Can confirm @jeffborzello that Stanford transfer Schuyler Rimmer is going to Florida as a walk-on, per a source.

[jbcarol]

Sean Farnham @SeanFarnham  ·  41 minutes ago
Craig Victor transferring could LSU become the landing spot?

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  1 hour ago
Arizona transfer Craig Victor is considering Seton Hall, Tulane, Oklahoma State, S.D. State, LSU, Oklahoma and Tennessee, per his AAU coach

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  14 hours ago

Can confirm @jeffborzello that Stanford transfer Schuyler Rimmer is going to Florida as a walk-on, per a source.

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  9 hours ago
Florida announces Stanford transfer C Schuyler Rimmer has joined team as walk on. Won't be eligible until 2015-16.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  8 hours ago
Gonzaga transfer Eric McClellan won't make Zags debut tonight. Foot injury. Ex-Vandy & Tulsa guard at least two weeks away, per Mark Few.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  1 minute ago

Arizona transfer Craig Victor is down to Oklahoma State and LSU and will decide later today, Greg Holmes tells @SNYtv.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  10 hours ago
Arizona transfer Craig Victor is headed back home to LSU. Considered the Tigers coming out of high school.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  3 hours ago

SMU's Keith Frazier will miss the rest of the season due to academics (barring a last-ditch appeal), sources told ESPN. Story coming.

[jbcarol]

After playing two seasons at Ole Miss guard Derrick Millinghaus transferred to Southeast Louisiana last spring, and after sitting out the 2014-15 season per NCAA transfer rules he was expected to have two years of eligibility remaining. However Millinghaus is on the move again, as according to Patrick Magee of the Sun-Herald the guard's request to be released from his scholarship has been granted.

What makes Millinghaus' decision to leave Southeast Louisiana without having played a game for the program is the status of his brother Shadell at Southern Miss (sic).

After making the decision last month to leave the Southern Miss basketball program, Shadell had a change of heart and returned to Doc Sadler's team...

Of course the key word in that second sentence is "maybe," but it should be noted that Shadell did have interest in joining Derrick at Southeast Louisiana before ultimately deciding to return to Southern Miss. Southern Miss loses senior Chip Armelin at the end of this season, and they'll add former Dayton PG Khari Price to the fold.

For a team that has struggled with depth issues all season long, the possibility of adding another guard in the form of Derrick Millinghaus would be a positive.

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  4 hours ago
Big A 10 news RT @TheRecruitScoop BREAKING: Memphis transfer Kuran Iverson has committed to Rhode Island, a source says.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  20 hours ago

Here's the story on Washington booting the nation's top shot-blocker, Robert Upshaw: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12232892/washington-huskies-dismiss-robert-upshaw-program-violation-team-rules ...

Robert Upshaw has first-round talent, but there's no way he goes in the first round. Too many red flags.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello  ·  21 hours ago

Texas Tech has dismissed Justin Jamison for violation of team rules.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  1 hour ago
Gonzaga junior F Angel Nunez was granted an extra year of eligibility and is looking to transfer, source tells @SNYtv. "Wide open" now.

[jbcarol]

Jeremy Werner @WernerESPNCU  ·  21 hours ago
John Groce announces #illini and Aaron Cosby have "parted ways."

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  15 hours ago

Northwestern lands quality fifth-year transfer in former Va Tech big man Joey Van Zegeren, sources told ESPN. Averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg.

Van Zegeran is eligible to play for Northwestern next season and will give Chris Collins and Northwestern a much-needed experienced big man.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  22 hours ago

Iowa's Trey Dickerson is transferring, per the school.


So. NYC Guard played almost 10-12 mpg for the Hawkeyes

[jbcarol]

David Cloninger @DCTheState  ·  26 minutes ago

Junior Austin Constable will also be honored at Senior Night tomorrow. He's on track to graduate in May and has elected to move on.

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello  ·  15 hours ago

South Carolina will visit with Seton Hall transfer Jaren Sina, per his father. BC, Michigan, Rutgers, GW and Rhode Island also involved.

[Hawg Red]

Name to watch on the transfer wire: Mike Thorne, junior big man for Charlotte. Will be immediately eligible (redshirted as freshman). 6'11, 270. 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block per game.

Who knows if there will even be a spot open to fill, but if Portis leaves or another frontcourt player leaves prematurely (not suggesting anything), this could be a good replacement as a bridge to get Thompson to his junior year and Kapita to his sophomore year. Neither figure to be ready next season.

[The_Iceman]

Is there any relationship between our staff and him? There just seem to be a lot of other options for a 6'11" 270lb big man than us and our system.

[Hawg Red]

Is there any relationship between our staff and him? There just seem to be a lot of other options for a 6'11" 270lb big man than us and our system.

No clue, but we're losing a starter and could provide an opportunity to make a deep tournament run (if Portis is back). He looks fairly mobile for a 270 lber, looks like he can run the floor.

[klp1]

There has been rumblings out of Memphis that Nick King 6'7 combo forward may be transferring to Arkansas.  He'd have to sit out a year and would have two years to play.  I'm not sure how this would work out.

[Hawg Red]

There has been rumblings out of Memphis that Nick King 6'7 combo forward may be transferring to Arkansas.  He'd have to sit out a year and would have two years to play.  I'm not sure how this would work out.

Nick King would be a great add if a spot other than Portis' came open. I'd take him either way, but it'd be rough to lose Portis and replace that spot with someone who can't play right away.