Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Transfer portal tracker season isn’t just for football, folks!
Let’s track JMU men’s and women’s basketball transfers in one spot, to keep ourselves sane during the busy offseason. We’ll also have a more detailed overview of each team’s roster in the summer/fall.
Additions: None, yet
Departures: Terell Strickland (PG) and Tyree Ihenacho (G)
Strickland’s departure makes some sense, as he struggled with health during his JMU career and the Dukes have other talented guards. Still, he likely could have contributed in 2023-24.
Ihenacho is notable loss as well. The guard plans to move closer to home in Minnesota for personal reasons, per Shane Mettlen. If he can’t find a spot closer to home, Ihenacho could return.
My wish list: Please, please give me a shot-blocking big man! The Dukes ranked in the bottom 100 in block percentage in 2022-23, and they’ve struggled with 2-point defense each of the last couple seasons. A true rim protector would give JMU the opportunity to be a top-50 defense nationally next season.
JMU could also benefit from adding a playmaking guard with Strickland and Ihenacho likely departing.
Additions: None, yet
Departures: Kiki Jefferson (SF)
Jefferson leaving hurts. She’s a star. Jefferson played four years in Harrisonburg and will go down as one of the best players in program history. She’ll very likely join a Power Conference program for the 2023-24 season, and she’ll be an immediate contributor.
So why would she leave after a great season (SBC Player of the Year)? Well, Jefferson could earn NIL money at her new spot. She also wants to play professionally, and as much as it hurts to admit, there are a bunch of better schools to prepare for a professional basketball career than JMU. Playing top-25 caliber teams regularly in the ACC or Big Ten or Big East would not only prepare Jefferson for the WNBA, it would also put her in front of scouts more often.
My wish list: If the Dukes keep the rest of their roster together, they’ll still be good in 2023 without Jefferson. A veteran point guard stands out as the biggest need via the transfer portal with Caroline Germond graduating, but if a starting-caliber wing is interested in JMU, the Dukes would be crazy not to try to find a “replacement” for Jefferson.
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