2025 Portal Season

[DRK331]

Podcast episode on GMU's roster and transfers:

https://x.com/3BidLeaguePod/status/1917930249230098700

 

[psyclone]

Podcast episode on GMU's roster and transfers:

https://x.com/3BidLeaguePod/status/1917930249230098700

Thanks for sending this link.
First part of podcast addresses listener questions about A10; discussion about Mason's transfers with Palmer Johnson/Giant Killer begins at 37 min mark.

 

[GMU1983]

Okojie to MERCER U

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Okojie to MERCER U

Man this breaks my heart. He's too talented to end up there his junior year. Listened to all the wrong people. Poor kid.

 

[jessej]

Man this breaks my heart. He's too talented to end up there his junior year. Listened to all the wrong people. Poor kid.

hopefully he dominates and can step up next year, although I have no idea if he is on pace for graduation

but he is in the musical chairs stage as there are dwindling number of scholarship slots available and many more players still in the portal

 

[The Great PATSby]

Now that he's committed somewhere else, I'll share what I heard. Maybe it's been already been said around here, but Baraka reached out to Tony about coming back to Mason. Not sure if there were some serious discussions about it actually happening. What I hoped happened was Tony told him to "kick rocks" for leaving us like that.

With that being said, I'm glad he at least landed somewhere and not ended up being a statistic of the many players that entered the portal and never get picked up.

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Now that he's committed somewhere else, I'll share what I heard. Maybe it's been already been said around here, but Baraka reached out to Tony about coming back to Mason. Not sure if there were some serious discussions about it actually happening. What I hoped happened was Tony told him to "kick rocks" for leaving us like that.

With that being said, I'm glad he at least landed somewhere and not ended up being a statistic of the many players that entered the portal and never get picked up.

To my understanding- talks started serious, people around Baraka dragged feet again, Mason signed Kory Mincy and that was that.

 

[jessej]

To my understanding- talks started serious, people around Baraka dragged feet again, Mason signed Kory Mincy and that was that.

wont nobody f--- you over like friends and family supposedly looking out for your best interests

 

[DRK331]

Baraka Okojie in his new Mercer jersey:

https://x.com/baraka_okojie/status/1918379727670161704

Mercer's program:

Mercer Bears men's basketball - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Verdad]

Okojie will be a perfect case study to teach our impact freshmen in the future to convince them to stay

 

[psyclone]

Summary of rosters for 3 A10 teams from ESPN:

Atlantic 10​

Dayton Flyers​

Departed or expected to depart: Nate Santos (14.3 PPG), Enoch Cheeks (13.2 PPG), Malachi Smith (10.4 PPG), Zed Key (8.8 PPG), Posh Alexander (5.8 PPG), Isaac Jack (3.2 PPG), Hamad Mousa (1.3 PPG), Marvel Allen (redshirt)
In limbo: None
Expected to return: Javon Bennett (11.6 PPG), Amael L'Etang (7.1 PPG), Jacob Conner (2.7 PPG), Jaiun Simon (1.2 PPG)
Incoming transfers: De'Shayne Montgomery (6.5 PPG at Georgia), Adam Njie (12.4 PPG at Iona), Jordan Derkack (5.7 PPG at Rutgers), Malcolm Thomas (redshirt at Villanova)
Incoming freshmen: Jaron McKie (four-star), Damon Friery (four-star)

---

George Mason Patriots​

Departed or expected to depart: Jalen Haynes (14.1 PPG), Darius Maddox (13.8 PPG), K.D. Johnson (7.9 PPG), Woody Newton (6.9 PPG), Giovanni Emejuru (6.2 PPG), Jared Billups (5.2 PPG), Zach Anderson (5.3 PPG), Justin Begg (2.9 PPG), Jeremiah Quigley (1.2 PPG), Austin Ball (2.5 PPG in 2023-24)
In limbo: None
Expected to return: Brayden O'Connor (9.1 PPG), Stas Sivka (1.5 PPG)
Incoming transfers: Jermahri Hill (15.8 PPG at Ball State), Kory Mincy (15.0 PPG at Presbyterian), Masai Troutman (13.5 PPG at Northeastern), Dola Adebayo (13.2 PPG at Mount St. Mary's), Nick Ellington (9.9 PPG at Murray State), Riley Allenspach (7.8 PPG at Samford), Jahari Long (4.5 PPG at Maryland in 2023-24)
Incoming freshmen: Emmanuel Kanga (three-star), Devin Booker (NR)

---

vcu Rams​

Departed or expected to depart: Max Shulga (15.0 PPG), Joe Bamisile (15.0 PPG), Phillip Russell (10.3 PPG), Jack Clark (9.7 PPG), Luke Bamgboye (3.8 PPG), Alphonzo Billups III (2.9 PPG)
In limbo: Zeb Jackson (10.8 PPG)
Expected to return: Christian Fermin (4.6 PPG), Terrence Hill Jr. (3.4 PPG), Brandon Jennings (2.7 PPG), Michael Belle (2.8 PPG), Obinnaya Okafor (0.3 PPG)
Incoming transfers: Barry Evans (13.3 PPG at Bryant), Tyrell Ward (9.1 PPG at LSU), Keyshawn Mitchell (8.5 PPG at Bryant), Lazar Djokovic (7.9 PPG at Charleston), Jadrian Tracey (6.9 PPG at Oregon), Ahmad Nowell (1.5 PPG at UConn)
Incoming freshmen: Nyk Lewis (No. 56 in ESPN 100), Jordan Tillery (three-star)

Latest rosters for 90+ men's college basketball teams: Transfers, recruits, more

Players leaving. Players joining. We're tracking all personnel movement for key teams heading into 2025-26.

www.espn.com

 

[mkaufman1]

Now that he's committed somewhere else, I'll share what I heard. Maybe it's been already been said around here, but Baraka reached out to Tony about coming back to Mason. Not sure if there were some serious discussions about it actually happening. What I hoped happened was Tony told him to "kick rocks" for leaving us like that.

With that being said, I'm glad he at least landed somewhere and not ended up being a statistic of the many players that entered the portal and never get picked up.

To my understanding- talks started serious, people around Baraka dragged feet again, Mason signed Kory Mincy and that was that.

There was definite mutual interest but how much , who knows. Could have just been trying to seek what we could give and then match elsewhere or something.

It’s whatever at this point, his people are crazy and he will be in the portal again for round 4. I enjoy watching him on the court and hope he does well at Mercer.

 

[Jack Strop]

Okojie will be a perfect case study to teach our impact freshmen in the future to convince them to stay

I'm sure there are many more stories just like Baraka's out there. I am also sure there are even worse stories, as well.

Certainly a case study that defines how the portal and chasing money can blow up in one's face. Will stories like these slow down portal entry or give marginally talented players pause??? We'll see. Sometimes one has a good thing staring into one's own face and doesn't even know it.

Oh well. Good luck, Baraka.

 

[Old Man]

I'm sure there are many more stories just like Baraka's out there. I am also sure there are even worse stories, as well.

Certainly a case study that defines how the portal and chasing money can blow up in one's face. Will stories like these slow down portal entry or give marginally talented players pause??? We'll see. Sometimes one has a good thing staring into one's own face and doesn't even know it.

Oh well. Good luck, Baraka.

The worst part about this is all the college degrees that will not be achieved because of the transfer portal. I get not all athletes complete their education anyway, but transferring almost always costs a few credits. Transferring several times can cost a year or more toward a degree. AND, does the final university a player is at feel any sort of obligation to allow and help the player complete, and pay for, their degree when their eligibility has run its course should the player want to put forth the effort? At least in the old way, players could at least expect to be awarded a degree for their efforts. Now what?

 

[Jack Strop]

The worst part about this is all the college degrees that will not be achieved because of the transfer portal. I get not all athletes complete their education anyway, but transferring almost always costs a few credits. Transferring several times can cost a year or more toward a degree. AND, does the final university a player is at feel any sort of obligation to allow and help the player complete, and pay for, their degree when their eligibility has run its course should the player want to put forth the effort? At least in the old way, players could at least expect to be awarded a degree for their efforts. Now what?

A: Under-educated athletes.

 

[DRK331]

By George twitter spaces talking about the GMU team and transfers (must listen)

https://x.com/ByGeorgeGMU/status/1920266177424572655

 

[hoopsjunkie75]

By George twitter spaces talking about the GMU team and transfers (must listen)

https://x.com/ByGeorgeGMU/status/1920266177424572655

Cliffnotes/highlights, maybe?

I got five minutes in, which was 4:55 of elevator music, then 5 seconds of talking.

 

[Verdad]

2025-26 ROSTER

GP

MIN

PTS

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

FG%

FT%

3P%

PRIOR SCHOOL

BACKGROUND/25-26 status

K. Mincy PG 6'1 185

33​

31.8​

15​

2.6​

4.4​

1.5​

0.1​

2.3​

40​

79.1​

36.8​

Presbyterian

True junior w/ 44 career starts

B. O'Connor G 6'4 207

36

27.9

9.1

2.8

3

0.9

0.3

2.1

44.8

80.4

37.6

Senior

M. Troutman G 6'4

13​

24.2​

13.5​

1.7​

0.8​

0.5​

0.1​

1.8​

43.5​

80​

39.6​

Northeastern

rising true senior with 46 career starts

J. Long G 6'5 200

30

18.5

4.7

1.2

1.4

0.6

0.2

0.9

41.6

77.4

35.5

UMD - 23/24 stats

2 years at Seton Hall, 2 years at UMD, did not play last year due to ACL - 2 years remaining per Kaufman

J. Hill G 6'5 185

31​

32.4​

15.8​

5.1​

3.2​

1​

0.3​

2.8​

42.3​

67.1​

23.2​

Ball St.

Senior? 1st 2 years at Juco, last year was 1st/only year at D1

Malik Presley G 6'6 200 lbs

26​

11.8​

2.2​

1.6​

0.5​

0.3​

0​

0.4​

42.9​

46.7​

12.5​

Freshman year stats from Vandy, RS'd at Texas last year

RS Sophomore

D. Adebayo F 6'8 210

36​

29.1​

13.2​

6.9​

1​

0.9​

1.1​

2.3​

51.5​

73.8​

30.6​

Mt. St. Mary

5th year Senior with 51 career starts

N. Ellington F 6'7 235

33

23.4

9.9

5.4

0.5

0.7

1.2

1.2

56.1

61.4

0

Murray State

1st year at JUCO, 1 year at Eastern Illinois, last 2 as starter at Murray St, who made 2nd round of NIT last year - 1 year left if JUCO didn't count?

R. Allenspach 6'11 247

33

13.7

7.8

3

0.7

0.2

0.3

0.9

57.5

67.1

48

Samford

On Campus visit 4/20; rising true Junior

S. Sivka F 6'10 210

14

4.6

1.5

0.9

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

61.5

33.3

50

Sophomore

E. Kanga F 6'8 215

Freshman - 4star recruit, potential immediate impact player/contributor

D. Booker G 6'5 180

Freshman

1 OPEN SPOT (or 3 if rosters expanded to 15)

Total

217

92.7

15.6

15

 

[GMUgemini]

Cliffnotes/highlights, maybe?

I got five minutes in, which was 4:55 of elevator music, then 5 seconds of talking.

1. News breaking on the Presley commit.
2. Nervous Tony Skinn was leaving for UMD.
3. Hill best athlete of the Tony Skinn era (Billups next closest). Had one-and-done talk senior year, but didn’t work out. A reverse Darius Maddox.
4. Adebayo not quite a Woody Newton replacement but will be a matchup problem out of the 4. Good FT shooter. Effective 3 point shooter.
5. Mincy: “a normal sized” Brickus. All-A10 potential. Quick, smart, will take a lot of shots.
6. Troutman: “He could be so good”. potential to be a great shooter. Really athletic. “Upper level A10 athlete who can shoot lights out.”
7. Transfers coming in not afraid to just go get buckets, unafraid of contact.
8. Long: would have been at Mason last season except for the medical red-shirt. Defensive dog. Not afraid to “get up and get into your stuff”
9. Ellington: height could be a problem, but he’s got quickness for a forward and he’s got a big frame. Could have some limitations (doesn’t have hops). He will be fine.
10. Allensbach: very different from Ellington. Really good shooting numbers (44% from 3, 58% from 2). Will provide a different look from Ellington when he’s out there. Someone has always moved up and had an increased role at Mason. Could be Allensbach. Would be insane if he increased his efficiency, because it’s already really good.

 

[Patriot8]

1. News breaking on the Presley commit.
2. Nervous Tony Skinn was leaving for UMD.
3. Hill best athlete of the Tony Skinn era (Billups next closest). Had one-and-done talk senior year, but didn’t work out. A reverse Darius Maddox.
4. Adebayo not quite a Woody Newton replacement but will be a matchup problem out of the 4. Good FT shooter. Effective 3 point shooter.
5. Mincy: “a normal sized” Brickus. All-A10 potential. Quick, smart, will take a lot of shots.
6. Troutman: “He could be so good”. potential to be a great shooter. Really athletic. “Upper level A10 athlete who can shoot lights out.”
7. Transfers coming in not afraid to just go get buckets, unafraid of contact.
8. Long: would have been at Mason last season except for the medical red-shirt. Defensive dog. Not afraid to “get up and get into your stuff”
9. Ellington: height could be a problem, but he’s got quickness for a forward and he’s got a big frame. Could have some limitations (doesn’t have hops). He will be fine.
10. Allensbach: very different from Ellington. Really good shooting numbers (44% from 3, 58% from 2). Will provide a different look from Ellington when he’s out there. Someone has always moved up and had an increased role at Mason. Could be Allensbach. Would be insane if he increased his efficiency, because it’s already really good.

Also, barring something unforeseen, your 25/26 scholarship roster is complete.