Auburn basketball transfer portal updates: Rice guard not expected to be heavily pursued, Georgia guard a ‘name to monitor’
Following the commitment of Florida International’s Denver Jones in the backcourt, Auburn basketball is still looking to fill several holes formed by the exodus of Zep Jasper, Wendell Green Jr., Chance Westry, and Yohan Traore from the roster.
247Sports’ Christian Clemente provided an update on who Bruce Pearl and his Tigers coaching staff are looking after, which include a big man and more ball-handlers on the perimeter — though Auburn doesn’t appear likely to land any of their desired backcourt targets.
“Look for Auburn to continue its pursuit of another big man after the departure of Yohan Traore and Akingbola,” Clemente wrote. “On Monday, the Tigers reached out to South Florida big man transfer Russel Tchewa. And while it seems a little unlikely that Allen Flanigan returns, especially after his dad’s departure from the coaching staff for Ole Miss, Auburn will look to add at least one small forward. Assuming Flanigan departs, Auburn will look to add two at that spot. After landing Jones, Rice transfer guard Quincy Olivari put Auburn in his top group and scheduled a visit to Auburn, but is not expected to be heavily pursued. With a little more size, Georgia transfer Kario Oquendo is still a name to monitor, but is more of a two-guard where Auburn now has Jones and K.D. Johnson.”
Auburn basketball transfer has eyes on Syracuse but decision hinges on NBA prospect
Westry, who is a Pennsylvania native, is now looking to return to the northeast after transferring from Auburn basketball following the Tigers’ elimination from the 2023 March Madness Tournament. Syracuse, one of the schools in his top 10, is once again in the mix for the six-foot-six wing.
With that said, Westry’s Syracuse commitment hinges on whether or not Orange guard Judah Mintz follows through with his NBA draft declaration according to NunesMagician’s Ben Sigel.
“It’s unclear if the uncertainty behind Judah Mintz’s future will impact Westry’s decision,” Sigel prefaced before saying, “Mintz, who declared for the 2023 NBA Draft last month, has until May 31 at midnight to decide if he wants to return for his sophomore season.”