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College basketball transfer portal: How ballyhooed Wyoming transfer Graham Ike fits with contenders – 247Sports
At this point, the list of teams that haven’t contacted Wyoming transfer Graham Ike might be longer than the Target receipt-like list of squads who have expressed interest in the bulldozing big man. The preseason Mountain West Player of the Year missed the entire 2022-23 season with a lower right leg injury. Ike has three seasons of eligibility remaining, and he’s one of the top options in the transfer portal for big man-hungry programs.
Ike led Wyoming to the 2022 NCAA Tournament by averaging 19.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in his first full collegiate season. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound center was a foul-drawing, rebound-hunting monster last season. Ike hopes to regain that star form in 2023-24.
“I am looking for the right fit for myself,” Ike told 247Sports’ Brandon Jenkins. “I want to come in and be around great people and a great coaching staff within a great university. I want to be around players who understand winning and want to win. I have to get back to the NCAA Tournament and I have to win games. I have not won a game there and I would love to win games to push for a national championship. I want to be coached. That in addition to post touches, being developed, and being held accountable is what I am looking for.”
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Here’s how Ike would fit with each of the schools in the mix:
Arkansas: Jalen Graham had some moments, but Arkansas’ big men never really established themselves as a trustworthy back-to-the-basket weapon. Ike would change that. Ike rated in the 68th percentile nationally, averaging 0.911 points per possession on post-ups in 2021-22. He’d also provide the offensive rebounding that Musselman-coached teams seemingly always prioritize. Ike sets bone-crushing screens, but he has to take strides as a decision-maker as a roller. He did grade out really well as a post-defender at Wyoming, but obviously, the SEC would be a much bigger challenge.
Arizona: Oumar Ballo and Azuolas Tubelis can both run it back at Arizona next season, but if one (or both) opt to leave for professional waters, Ike could be in line for a monster role at Arizona. It’s clear that Tommy Lloyd is not afraid to build his team around a post-up heavy weapon which is appealing to Ike.
Arizona State: Ike’s interest in Arizona State likely hinges on Warren Washington’s decision. The Nevada transfer was one of the top shot-blockers in the Pac-12 this season for Arizona State. If Washington opts to use his free COVID year, Ike and Arizona State likely won’t fit. If Washington leaves, Arizona State would have oodles of opportunity to sell.
Butler: Manny Bates’ status looms large for Ike. If Bates chooses to stay in the 2023 NBA Draft, Butler coach Thad Matta could sell Ike on his track record with elite big men like Jared Sullinger and Greg Oden.
Colorado: Lawson Lovering entered the transfer portal, so Colorado coach Tad Boyle has a chance to sell a huge role to a transfer big man. Boyle has been one of the best defensive coaches in the country for a while, but adding Ike to the mix would give Colorado a real monster in the paint on the offensive end. Ike teaming up with KJ Simpson and Trista da Silva would be a fascinating Big Three with real upside in the open Pac-12. Playing for the Buffs would only be 35-mile trek from Ike’s hometown of Aurora, Co.
Georgetown: New Georgetown coach Ed Cooley is getting right to work rebuilding the Hoyas roster. Keeping Brandon Murray around would be enormous. Adding a talent like Ike could kickstart the rebuild in a hurry. Cooley has a strong track record with big men, and Ike would have 15+ shots at his disposal.
Gonzaga: Replacing Drew Timme would not be easy, but Ike would be a good start. Timme uses angles and footwork to dominate. Ike uses raw power. Both can absolutely shine in Gonzaga’s scheme. If Ike wants to stay out west and compete for a National Championship, Gonzaga could be a really good fit.
Indiana: Mike Woodson begins life without Trayce Jackson-Davis now. Soon-to-be sophomore Malik Reneau figures to be an in-house option, but Ike would be a big-time weapon, too. Ike has some similarities with Jackson-Davis (lefty, not a great jump shooter, excellent on the block), so IU’s offensive gameplan would not have to change too much. Woodson can sell Indiana’s ability to transform Jackson-Davis into a National Player of the Year contender. Ike has areas of his game that need refinement, so following in Jackson-Davis’ path could be feasible.
Iowa State: To no one’s surprise, T.J. Otzelberger is chasing one of the best players in the transfer portal. Ike would have no issues translating his game to the physical Big 12. It could be a sign that Otzelberger wants to build inside-out in his quest to help Iowa State find some semblance of consistency on the offensive end.
Kansas: Bill Self pursuing Ike could signal how Kansas wants to get away from small ball and get back to having a dominant post presence. Dajuan Harris would make Ike’s life very easy, but it could force some of KU’s younger big men to look for a clearer path to playing time.
Missouri: Missouri is projected to have a boatload of shooting which could prove to be a really intriguing sell for a big man like Ike who demands double teams left and right.
San Diego State: SDSU is all-too-familiar with how tough Ike is to guard. The Aztecs will need to replace defensive ace Nathan Mensah. Ike might not be quite the caliber defender that Mensah has transformed into, but Ike would add much-needed scoring pop at the rim to the SDSU lineup.
Seton Hall: Seton Hall averaged just 1.11 points per possession at the rim last year. Ike would go a long way to change that. Ike would slot right into a featured role from the moment he steps onto campus.
Tennessee: Rick Barnes loves physical big men, so it’s no surprise that Tennessee has kicked the tires on Ike. Tennessee’s frontcourt depth chart could look very different next season if seniors Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic don’t return. An Ike-Jonas Aidoo frontcourt pairing would be a nasty 1-2 punch.
Xavier: Sean Miller has orchestrated one of the best offenses in the country with two stretch bigs (Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge). If one (or both) Xavier bigs depart, Miller could sell a featured role for one of the best teams in the Big East to Ike. If Freemantle opts to return, Xavier’s potent two-big lineup could be another strong sell.
Washington State: If sophomore big man Mouhamed Gueye makes the leap to the 2023 NBA Draft, Washington State will be in the big man market. Ike would be a huge addition and give prized freshman Adrame Diongue more time to get ready.
West Virginia: It’s a year-by-year build in college basketball. West Virginia was built on its jump-shooting this past season. Pivoting to building around a paint-patrolling big man like Ike would prove just how different an offense can look in back-to-back years. But if you land Ike, you have to build out the roster with catch-and-shoot snipers in 2023-24.
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