Detroit Native Enters Transfer Portal
Pierre Brooks II, the 2021 Michigan Mr. Basketball winner and Detroit native, has announced his decision to leave Michigan State basketball and enter the transfer portal. This news came as a surprise to many fans, as Brooks was considered a talented player who made consistent contributions on the court.
Brooks’ Statement of Gratitude
In a statement to On3.com, Pierre Brooks II expressed his gratitude to MSU for the opportunity to be part of an amazing program. He thanked his coaches, teammates, and fans for making his time at Michigan State memorable.
Early Season Contributions
Brooks was an important cog in Tom Izzo’s rotation early in the 2022-23 season. He stepped up after both Malik Hall and Jaden Akins went down with injuries in mid-November. In those games he averaged 6.8 points in 22 minutes, making 39.2% of his 3-pointers.
Decreased Playing Time
After the return of both Hall and Akins, Brooks’ minutes decreased steeply, averaging just eight minutes a game over the Spartans’ final 16 regular-season games. His shooting also declined dramatically throughout the season.
Scholarship Availability
Brooks’ departure opens up one scholarship for MSU, which has four freshmen arriving this summer. Izzo kept three scholarships open this season, and Joey Hauser is leaving to pursue a pro future instead of appealing to the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility.
Waiting on Key Decisions
Izzo is still waiting for the decisions of Hall and guard Tyson Walker about whether they plan to return for a fifth season of eligibility. If they do not return, it could make it difficult for Michigan State’s basketball program that already had struggles during their last season.
Title: Iowa State Women’s Basketball Players Leaving due to Style of Play
Cyclone Transfers Due to Play Style
Former Iowa State women’s basketball player Denae Fritz recently announced that she did not like Iowa State’s style of play and entered the transfer portal after playing two seasons with the team. She believes that several Cyclones players, including two other starters, also transferred for this reason.
Fritz Explains Her Decision
Fritz expressed that she wanted to find a faster-paced and offensive style of play that suits her game. Although she appreciated the support given by her coaches and teammates, she stated that this was not what she wanted for herself.
Offensive Ranks and Style
Iowa State ranked 28th in Division I this season in scoring offense, averaging 75.4 points per game and had the highest average in the Big 12 conference. The Cyclones’ offense is built around 3-point shooting and they ranked 11th among Division I teams in attempted 3-pointers per game. However, their style did not suit some players’ preferences resulting in transfers.
Top Performers Move On
Five players, including major contributors Denae Fritz and Lexi Donarski, have entered the transfer portal since Iowa State’s sudden loss to Toledo in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Emily Ryan, the Cyclones’ top returning player, confirmed her commitment to the program on Twitter.
Title: Darian White Enters Transfer Portal
Montana State Star Leaves
Darian White, a star guard for Montana State women’s basketball team announced recently through social media that she is entering the transfer portal after spending her college career with Montana State.
Impressive Stats and Awards
White had an impressive freshman campaign scoring 394 points along with recording 150 rebounds, 104 assists, and 76 steals during her time at Montana State. Her achievements also resulted in her winning the Big Sky Conference freshman of the year award. Throughout her career, she received multiple awards, including Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year and MVP of the Big Sky tournament.
Leaving a Legacy
Darian White leaves Montana State ranked in the top ten of nine different Bobcat women’s basketball career records categories. She expressed gratitude for her time there, thanking coaches, teammates, and the community for their support during her time at Montana State.
Exploring Options
With one more season of eligibility remaining Darian White wants to explore the next phase of her basketball career. Her decision brings up questions about how Montana State will fill this gap and who will step forward in the upcoming season to replace her talent on the court.
Conclusion:
The transfer portal continues to be an alternative option for basketball players when they feel the need to move on from their current programs. Whether it is due to style of play, decreased playing time, or preference for offensive or defensive based systems; such decisions impact individual players and teams as a whole. With key players leaving their respective programs, coaches face new challenges with replacing that talent and/or revamping systems to adapt and succeed in upcoming seasons.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
