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The transfer portal is still humming, as both Texas and North Carolina added to their rosters. Plus, who stood out at Peach Jam?

Author

Tristan Freeman
July 07, 2023

You’d be surprised by how many teams still have roster spots left to fill. North Carolina and Texas were two of them, but each landed players out of the transfer portal to add some needed depth. We’ll hit on that and some more star performances out of the Peach Jam.

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1. Horns hook Horton

Not long ago, Texas’ roster looked thin, raising eyebrows about how it would compete in 2023-24. That’s now a distant memory.

To the coaching staff’s credit, it has been slowly accumulating pieces, including the newest one on Thursday: Ithiel Horton from UCF.

The 6-5 grad transfer recently entered the portal after averaging 13.2 ppg last season on 35 percent from deep. That’s Horton’s specialty.

He had eight games of at least 4 made 3-pointers in 2023, including 5 trifectas in a 30-point performance against Memphis. He’s a 37.6 percent career shooter; even at his other former stops (Delaware and Pittsburgh), Horton has always been strong from beyond the arc. He and another new Texas transfer, Max Abmas, are one of the few guards in college hoops who shoot better than 37 percent from deep and have more than 200 career makes.

Also, he can do more than just pull from long distance.

Horton adds to a Longhorns bench that was essentially empty at the start of the offseason. In addition to him, returning guard Tyrese Hunter can pair with:

  • Abmas (21.9 ppg and 4.0 apg at Oral Roberts)

  • Chris Johnson (top 50 combo guard prospect)

  • Chendall Weaver (WAC Rookie of the Year at UTRGV)

With Dillon Mitchell and Brock Cunningham back for their senior seasons, Texas has good depth on the perimeter and can deploy various lineups. Plus, Dylan Disu and Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick ensure the frontcourt is in good shape.

The Longhorns are now up to 11 scholarship players and could still add another player this offseason. But even if this is it, it’s a top-20 caliber roster for the 2023-24 campaign.

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2. Heels get some help from across the pond

Of all the recent West Virginia players in the portal, James Okonkwo was arguably the best candidate to return. Tre Mitchell’s departure left a hole in the frontcourt. Yet following Joe Toussaint and Mohamed Wague this week, the Mountaineers have officially lost another player.

Okonkwo becomes North Carolina’s fifth transfer addition this offseason and adds to the frontcourt depth. The 6-9 forward from England averaged just 2.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg in 11 mpg off the bench but displayed potential as an athletic defender who can guard both frontcourt positions.

Tar Heel fans are going to picture this all off-season.

Obviously, All-American big man Armando Bacot’s role is set for the Tar Heels inside. But Okonkwo should excel as his primary backup.

The Heels can go big, too. Former 4-star prospect Jalen Washington is back, joined by top-75 incoming freshman forward, Zayden High. Plus, both Louisville transfer Jae’lyn Withers and former Stanford wing Harrison Ingram will also be able to play at the 4-spot, depending on what lineups Hubert Davis wants to utilize.

Despite having seven newcomers to the roster, UNC still has two spots available. They may look for another guard or a wing, but regardless, Okonkwo helps calm athleticism and defensive concerns.

3. Plenty of Peaches, Peaches for me

Peach Jam always brings out the stars, on and off the court.

There was none bigger on Thursday than when LeBron James was on the sideline, coaching (alongside Rajon Rondo) the Strive For Greatness U16 team. Among the players was his son, Bryce James, a 6-4 shooting guard in the 2025 recruiting class.

Bryce finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds, including a pair of late free throws to lead the SFG squad to the 63-54 win. He’s a good athlete who (unsurprisingly) has NBA teams scouting him.

Bryce James and his dad grabbed some attention, but Cooper Flagg remains Peach Jam’s main draw. He’s been the undisputed top player at the showcase, going off for an incredible 38 points, 16 rebounds, 12 blocks (!) and six assists on Thursday. The 6-9 forward from Maine has been unstoppable on both ends the entire week.

There’s a chance that Flagg could reclassify to the 2024 recruiting class, where he’d likely be the No. 1 overall prospect. Right now, Dylan Harper has that distinction per several recruiting services. Harper had 24 points on Thursday, playing in front of coaches from Duke, Indiana, Kansas and Rutgers. Coaches Steve Pikiell and Jon Scheyer were in attendance, viewed as two of the frontrunners for his services.

Speaking of No. 1, that’s where AJ Dybantsa slots in the 2026 class. It’s very early for that group but he’s already become a national name. The 6-7 wing dropped 31 points and could move up a class himself to 2025.

One thing is clear from this week. The top prospects have been as good as advertised, even against better competition at Peach Jam. Now, we’ll have to wait to see if any of these respective recruitments get accelerated.

Shock to the program

Wichita State was in the Final Four 10 years ago yet has struggled the last few seasons. Former Oral Roberts coach Paul Mills discusses how he’ll bring the program back to national prominence … and tells a few stories along the way.

Links as you realize LeBron James is a natural lefty.

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