With the portal closed in college basketball, teams can take stock of what they lost or gained. That doesn’t make it any less crazy for those who stayed put, though, as they watched the insanity ensue across the country.
Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack gave his thoughts on portal movement during a media availability a few weeks ago. While he would’ve wanted everyone on the team to stay, he’s of the blunt opinion that players should go ahead and transfer if their commitment isn’t fully to their current program.
“You know, on the court, obviously, I’m competitive. I wanted those guys back. But, if the feeling is not mutual, we’re going to continue to keep going and moving forward,” Mashack said. “We don’t want to bring anybody along that doesn’t want to be a part of Tennessee Basketball, doesn’t want to go through those ups and downs.”
Again, it’s no less wild for the players to see the portal movement than it is for coaches or fans. Still, it’s the reality of college athletics now, even though Mashack himself doesn’t believe in transferring in order to find a better situation.
“Honestly, it’s kind of crazy,” Mashack shared. “You know, it’s a new world we live in in college basketball. It’s something that everybody has to get used to. It kind of feels like the free agency with the NBA. Just how many people are getting tugged certain ways, getting influenced certain ways. Being promised certain things, being fed dreams that they have towards other teams.”
“It’s really unique but I feel like it’s hard for a lot of players, especially players that are younger and that are influenced by a lot of different things. That’s why I can’t blame how many people are going into the transfer portal just because they want to see new options,” said Mashack. “For me personally, I really feel like, the best things in life? You have to earn and it’s not going to be easy. So, if something is hard and something is blocking your way, you’ve got to find another way around it – not just trying to go to a different avenue.”
Hundreds of college basketball players alone entered the transfer portal over the last month and a half. That includes four from Rocky Top in Jonas Aidoo (Arkansas) along with Tobe Awaka (Arizona), Freddie Dilione (Penn State), and DJ Jefferson (Longwood).
Aidoo, who was a career-year junior for the Vols last season, was the most significant. Per On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players, he was the No. 10 overall transfer and No. 2 C. Awaka was notable too at No. 130 overall and as the No. 30 PF. Dilione was also at No. 167 and as the No. 26 SG.
As for additions, Tennessee has added a trio of portal pieces. They have commitments from Felix Okpara (Ohio State), Darlinston Dunbar (Hofstra), and Igor Milicic (Charlotte). All three are currently in the Top-150 of On3’s Ranking. Okpara is the No. 8 C, Dunbar is the No. 12 SF, and Milicic is the No. 36 PF.
The portal has allowed for as much player movement as collegiate sports have ever seen. That’s why, in the end, Mashack just hopes that his teammates are ones that truly want to be in orange.
“We really put a lot into these fans and a lot into these guys, the people who support Tennessee. So, if you’re not going to give your full heart and your full effort into it, then I think it is best that you go your separate ways and you go where you want to be, where you feel is best for you,” said Mashack.
“You just got to get used to everybody else moving around. It’s just college basketball now.”
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