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Utah Valley Basketball: Transfer Portal Updates & Offseason Targets

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*At the time of publication G Drake Allen had not yet hit the portal. Find more information on Allen hitting the portal HERE

Transfer Portal Attrition? No Problem.

After the season ended with a 74-63 loss at the hands of the CBU Lancers in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, the Wolverines were ready for another unstable offseason. Especially coming off of a turbulent 2023 offseason where UVU was ravaged by the transfer portal after former Head Coach Mark Madsen left to become the next Head Coach job at California. But so far this offseason has been anything but unstable.

Utah Valley has only seen three players hit the portal so far. Guard K’mani Doughty is the most notable of the 3. The other two being former Lehi standout Peter Amakasu and McCook Community College transfer Simon Akena. Both Amakasu and Akena are coming off redshirt seasons.

While it’s still early into the offseason, it is a good sign that big names like Drake Allen, Tanner Toolson, Trevan Leonhardt and leading scorer Caleb Stone-Carrawell haven’t been mentioned or brought up in portal conversations. This means that Head Coach Todd Phillips can potentially build around a nucleus of experienced players heading into his second year at the helm.

Who Is Utah Valley Targeting This Offseason?

It’s no secret that the Wolverines are losing some talent and senior leadership as PG Jaden McClanahan and big man Trevin Dorius move on to professional careers. That means Todd Phillips and company will have to seek out their replacements. Here’s who the Utah Valley coaching staff has recently reached out to and offered since the season has ended and the portal has opened up.

PG, Martel Williams – USU Eastern

Williams spent time at SUU prior to playing in Price this past season. UVU offered the 6-3, 213 pound guard on March 13th. Williams would be a great fit to fill the void left by McClanahan for the upcoming season. The JUCO product had an eye opening 40-point performance against the College of Southern Idaho back on February 22nd. Scoring is what the Wolverines need, especially the ability to shoot it from downtown while still being a threat to put pressure on the rim. That is exactly what Williams brings to the table as he had 14 made field goals vs CSI along with three, 3-pointers. The USU Eastern product has offers from California Baptist, SUU, East Carolina & Cal State Bakersfield to go along with UVU. Sources have confirmed that Williams has been on campus for a visit.

PG, CJ Luster – Salt Lake CC

It’s no surprise Head Coach Todd Phillips would go back to his old stomping grounds to find legitimate D1 talent. this time to offer 6-4 G CJ Luster. Luster was offered by the Wolverines back on September 18th of last year. The SLCC product has had a long laundry list of schools reach out to him since that offer went out. According to Jake Lieberman of JAL Hoops, 13 different schools have recently contacted Luster. Utah Tech, UTSA & North Dakota are among the most notable institutions. The Denton, TX native averaged 16.4 ppg this season including a 39-point performance coming against Bismarck State on December 29th where the 170-pound guard went 9-14 from downtown.

It’s no secret the Phillips and his coaching staff are going after big time scorers & shooters coming off of a 2023-24 campaign that saw the Wolverines shoot just 28.5% from deep.

C, Christian Richardson – Butler CC (KS)

With one 7-footer out the door in Dorius, another could be on his way in. Richardson spent the last two seasons at Butler Community College in Kansas where he appeared in 47 games for the Grizzlies. Richarson averaged 7.0 ppg in his final season at Butler, but provides a much needed defensive presence & a big body on the boards. Richardson totaled 65 blocks in two seasons while pulling down 185 rebounds. Richardson has a reported offer from Depaul and has yet to announce a decision on his future.

Incoming Freshman Class of 2024

PF, Tyler Medaris – Committed

Medaris, a 6-7, 195lb product out of Middleton, ID. committed to Utah Valley during the season. Medaris had offers from Chaminade (D2), Idaho and Idaho State.

SF, Bhan Buom – Offered

Buom is a 3-star product out of Wasatch Academy. Originally from Lincoln, NE. Boum stands at an athletic 6-8 and has the potential to step in to add some depth to the roster.

Be sure to stay up to date on the latest Utah Valley Basketball news by tuning into Valley Sports Talk every morning from 8-10am on ESPN 960.

Hear Brice Larson break down the potential transfer portal targets on ESPN 960. (41 minute mark)

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