Transfer Portal 2026

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Players like TJ and Amani who stayed at one school their entire careers - in the MAC at least - are likely a thing of the past. If Enrique was a junior now, he'd probably be going elelsewhere. We are likely going to have brand new teams basically every year. At least under the current system. 

 

I think TJ I agree with, but Amani was a bit of a late bloomer. He wasn't sniffing All-MAC and wouldn't have commanded big money until after this season, which is when his eligibility ended anyway. 

 

The players that stick around the full 4-5 years will be those who like being here and don't become too good that Akron can no longer afford them. Like next season will be MMK 4th season here and it's conceivable he stays all 5.

[Let'sGoZips94]

41 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

A good chunk of our best players still are high school recruits. I kind of feel you can't ignore HS players because you need them to help supplement the cost of transfer players. Like we would have never been able to afford a TJ, Amani, Eric, etc. if we tried to pay for that production by adding a proven player in the portal. 

 

HS kids aren't free nowadays. Who knows how much cheaper the worthwhile players actually are, if at all. Until there is framework for a multi year commitment in this era, I'd be targeting strictly Portal guys. If cost becomes an issue, don't carry 15 guys. 

[kreed5120]

38 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

HS kids aren't free nowadays. Who knows how much cheaper the worthwhile players actually are, if at all. Until there is framework for a multi year commitment in this era, I'd be targeting strictly Portal guys. If cost becomes an issue, don't carry 15 guys. 

 

I feel that's a more workable strategy for the P4, who have big money to buy ~12 players every year.

 

The high school level guys we're recruiting we're paying very minimal for. Probably just a small stipend. The freshman signing for good money are the ones going to and starting at high majors. I imagine most mid-major teams are spending ~70% of their budget on their top 2-3 players and then pinching dollars to fill out spots 4-10. Getting production out of HS players is a bonus because they come very cheap compared to portal players. 

 

Edit: IMO both avenues should be used, which we have been doing with great success.

Edited yesterday at 03:12 AM by kreed5120

[tpsjugglerdude]

Connections made with high school recruits can pay dividends 2-3 years down the road now.

Edited yesterday at 12:15 PM by tpsjugglerdude

[Zippy87]

 

[AkronAlumnus]

Well?

[Zips1991]

7 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

Well?

I'm hoping the lack of reporting on it isn't a sign that it's not a big deal.

[AkronAlumnus]

Maybe Buddy Hammer Jr?? Wentz reposted his highlight tape in-between some Roo gifs teasing the commitment. 

Edited 16 hours ago by AkronAlumnus

[Let'sGoZips94]

7 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

Maybe Buddy Hammer Jr?? Wentz reposted his highlight tape in-between some Roo gifs teasing the commitment. 

 

🙂

[Let'sGoZips94]

This is what Wentz retweeted. 6'7" F from North Texas. Looks like he'll be following Shunnar. He was JUCO prior and his JUCO numbers were nice. Scored in the mid to upper 20s often. 14mpg at UNT last year, but did have some nice double digit performances late in the season as he got more opportunity. Nice addition with even more height being added to the roster. We're DEEP at the 3/4 spot. 

 

 

[AkronAlumnus]

4 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

This is what Wentz retweeted. 6'7" F from North Texas. Looks like he'll be following Shunnar. He was JUCO prior and his JUCO numbers were nice. Scored in the mid to upper 20s often. 14mpg at UNT last year, but did have some nice double digit performances late in the season as he got more opportunity. Nice addition with even more height being added to the roster. We're DEEP at the 3/4 spot. 

 

 

Underwhelming if so.  He averaged 4.1, 2.8, and 0.4 — we can do better

 

Edit: also didn't start a game

Edited 16 hours ago by AkronAlumnus

[Let'sGoZips94]

3 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

Underwhelming if so.  He averaged 4.1, 2.8, and 0.4 — we can do better

 

Edit: also didn't start a game

 

Hardly underwhelming. Adding a fluid, athletic 6'7" F to this roster is exactly what we needed. His production may not be there on paper, but Shunnar isn't going to suggest him if he doesn't think there's a higher ceiling than what has been exhibited thus far. I like that there's familiarity with his game on the staff and we're super deep now at the 3/4 which is something we haven't been able to say maybe ever. 

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

Underwhelming if so.  He averaged 4.1, 2.8, and 0.4 — we can do better

 

Edit: also didn't start a game

 

Someone on Kent board said we paid Tahj $350K. I have to imagine Pence got something similar. After paying White, Wilson, and others there probably just wasn't a ton of money left to make a splash signing.

 

For what it's worth on the North Texas board they seemed legitimately disappointed in his departure. They describe him as a high energy spark player that shows flashes of talent, but needs to develop more. Lucky for us Dustin has developed some raw bigs like Freeman and Lyles. 

 

My guess is he'll be a 15-20 minute player off the bench with opportunity to earn more as season progresses.

Edited 16 hours ago by kreed5120

[zippy5]

Looks like the batch of perm headed kids I coach in middle school baseball are making their way into college now..

[AkronAlumnus]

8 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Hardly underwhelming. Adding a fluid, athletic 6'7" F to this roster is exactly what we needed. His production may not be there on paper, but Shunnar isn't going to suggest him if he doesn't think there's a higher ceiling than what has been exhibited thus far. I like that there's familiarity with his game on the staff and we're super deep now at the 3/4 which is something we haven't been able to say maybe ever. 

I feel like your standards are higher for our struggling football team than the basketball team that went dancing 4 out of the last 5 years.  UA should be one of the top mid-major destinations and we aren't capitalizing on it.

[AkronAlumnus]

If my maths right we have one more roster spot, need a grand slam

[Zips1991]

32 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

This is what Wentz retweeted. 6'7" F from North Texas. Looks like he'll be following Shunnar. He was JUCO prior and his JUCO numbers were nice. Scored in the mid to upper 20s often. 14mpg at UNT last year, but did have some nice double digit performances late in the season as he got more opportunity. Nice addition with even more height being added to the roster. We're DEEP at the 3/4 spot. 

 

 

I appreciate him including a highlight of him clearly dropping a pass but cutting it off like he didn't drop it. 

[AkronAlumnus]

22 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

My guess is he'll be a 15-20 minute player off the bench with opportunity to earn more as season progresses.

If this is true and he's a role player, I'll recant my statement.  

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, AkronAlumnus said:

I feel like your standards are higher for our struggling football team than the basketball team that went dancing 4 out of the last 5 years.  UA should be one of the top mid-major destinations and we aren't capitalizing on it.

 

Not sure where you're drawing the comparison between my expectations of the football and basketball programs. 

 

Akron is a top regional destination. For as good as the program is on the court, Akron itself has a lot of limitations that knock it down a few pegs for the masses. 

 

Regardless, I think Akron knocked it out of the park with this class. Part of the reason Todd Simon has struggled to have W/L success is because his Portal classes lack a clear system and execution. Akron's struggles last year came when they tried to play a certain system they lacked the personnel for. Sounds like we'll play a similar system but we'll have the personnel this time around.

 

How often has Akron had 4 capable, athletic wings at 6'6" or taller? Add in 2 6'10" C and some solid guards - Akron is going to be a major threat with this roster assuming they can execute. 

 

Hammer will likely be a bench/rotational piece and should have much improved numbers. North Texas was 230th in possessions per game. Akron was top 80.

 

Go Zips.

[RoyalBlu]

48 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Not sure where you're drawing the comparison between my expectations of the football and basketball programs. 

 

Akron is a top regional destination. For as good as the program is on the court, Akron itself has a lot of limitations that knock it down a few pegs for the masses. 

 

Regardless, I think Akron knocked it out of the park with this class. Part of the reason Todd Simon has struggled to have W/L success is because his Portal classes lack a clear system and execution. Akron's struggles last year came when they tried to play a certain system they lacked the personnel for. Sounds like we'll play a similar system but we'll have the personnel this time around.

 

How often has Akron had 4 capable, athletic wings at 6'6" or taller? Add in 2 6'10" C and some solid guards - Akron is going to be a major threat with this roster assuming they can execute. 

 

Hammer will likely be a bench/rotational piece and should have much improved numbers. North Texas was 230th in possessions per game. Akron was top 80.

 

Go Zips.

 

Two/three PGs, 2 post players and a bunch of 6-5, 6-6. wings that can shoot is the current formula for success both Akron and Miami have used the past few seasons. Add Toledo to that list and it's easy to see where MAC success in basketball is headed.

 

[Hilltopper]

4 hours ago, AkronAlumnus said:

If my maths right we have one more roster spot, need a grand slam

If we add another guy, it will be 4.0 guy.

[Let'sGoZips94]

10 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

If we add another guy, it will be 4.0 guy.

 

6'7" guy walk on named Fenrique Reeman?

[Illini Zip]

What year is Hammer?

[kreed5120]

6 minutes ago, Illini Zip said:

What year is Hammer?

 

Technically a senior as he did 2 years of JC, but with new NCAA rule of 5 years to play 5 I think he would have 2 years left.

[NWAkron]

Hammer is of Native American (Cherokee) ancestry.  Love the diversity of this team.