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NCAA transfer portal: Kenny Payne Louisville basketball roster 2023-24 – Courier Journal
The NCAA transfer portal has been filled to the brim less than a month into the college basketball offseason.
As of Monday morning, On3.com reported more than 20% of Division I scholarship men’s players had placed their names into the portal after it opened March 13. Thus far, only one has committed to Louisville.
U of L, as it stands, is in line to return four scholarship players from its 2022-23 team — guard/forward Mike James and forwards Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Emmanuel Okorafor and JJ Traynor — with potentially a fifth in guard Hercy Miller, who was put on scholarship last season after transferring in from Xavier but could reassume walk-on status depending on how the roster construction shakes out.
Those who remain will be joined by ex-Illinois guard Skyy Clark, junior-college standout guard Koron Davis and four incoming freshmen: center Dennis Evans III and wings Trentyn Flowers, Kaleb Glenn and Curtis Williams Jr. The collection of talent is sixth nationally in 247Sports’ composite team rankings.
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That leaves three scholarships open — two if Miller is retained — and limited depth on the perimeter. While Kenny Payne could fill one or more of the vacancies with players he scouted last week at NBA Academy Africa in Senegal during a showcase event featuring dozens of prospects from around the world, here are three guards he could add from the portal before it closes on May 11, and what each brings:
Position: Guard
Size: 6-7, 250 pounds
Previous school: UNLV
Last season’s statistics: 5.7 points, 0.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds per game; 47.9% field-goal percentage (35 of 73); 50% on 3-pointers (10 of 20)
What he could bring to U of L: Though his playing time was sparse — 10.8 minutes per game in 18 appearances — Hall showed his potential last season. During a three-game stretch of Mountain West Conference competition the freshman combined to score 39 points in 64 minutes on 14-for-21 shooting (3 for 6 from 3). Hall moves and uses his frame well, but his facilitating ability (20 turnovers to just eight assists) and defense are still works in progress.
Who else is interested? Hall took an official visit to George Mason last weekend, according to 24/7 High School Hoops. The Cleveland, Ohio, native also reportedly hosted members of DePaul’s coaching staff for an in-home visit and has had Georgetown, Maryland, Ohio and Toledo express interest.
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Position: Guard
Size: 5-11, 182 pounds
Previous school: North Texas
Last season’s statistics: 17.3 points, two assists, 3.4 rebounds per game; 43.7% field-goal percentage (177 of 405); 41.3% on 3-pointers (112 of 271)
What he could bring to U of L: Perry was named Conference USA’s Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the National Invitation Tournament to cap off an impressive senior season at North Texas. The point guard has found success at every stop on his college journey, powering the Mean Green’s run to an NIT championship and winning a NJCAA national title with Coffeyville Community College in 2021. Perry would provide a much-needed boost on both ends of the court. He ranked among the top 20 players nationwide in 3-point percentage and led North Texas with 48 steals on a defense that finished the season first in the country in points allowed (55.8). And he’s clutch, knocking down at least five shots in the final four seconds of regulation to win or tie games during his time with the Mean Green.
Who else is interested? Perry declared for the NBA draft in addition to entering the portal April 3, so there’s a chance he pursues professional opportunities. The Fort Coffee, Oklahoma, native visited Florida four days after hitting the transfer market and lists Arkansas, Baylor, Creighton, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Tennessee and Wake Forest among his top contenders. Over the weekend, the guard posted a picture of himself wearing a Louisville jersey to his Instagram account with the caption “#notcommitted.”
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Position: Guard
Size: 6-5, 180 pounds
Previous school: Gonzaga
Last season’s statistics: 4.5 points, 1.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds per game; 46.6% field goal percentage (61 of 131); 25.6% on 3-pointers (11 of 43)
What he could bring to U of L: A former McDonald’s All-American, Hunter Sallis‘ offensive production plateaued as a sophomore despite averaging three more minutes per game off the bench than he did as a freshman. The Omaha, Nebraska, native didn’t log a start across two seasons with Gonzaga but saw the court in each of its 69 games, including seven NCAA Tournament matchups. Upon Sallis’ entry into the portal, Eric Bossi of 247Sports wrote the guard “never looked comfortable” and appeared to “lack confidence in his ball handling” during his time with the Bulldogs but offers “big-time defensive potential.” A fresh start could unlock aspects of his game that earned him a spot among the top 25 recruits in the Class of 2021.
Who else is interested? According to a report from The Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and an assistant traveled to Spokane, Washington, on Sunday to visit with Sallis. He also told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein on April 7 that Arizona, Arizona State, Creighton, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Ole Miss, San Diego State and St. John’s had expressed interest.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.