Auburn ahead Johni Broome shoots the ball over Washington ahead Jackson Grant throughout an NCAA faculty basketball recreation, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Seattle. Auburn received 84-61. Stephen Brashear, AP
After dropping six gamers to the switch portal this offseason, together with key starters in Steven Ashworth, Max Shulga and Sean Bairstow, Utah State and new head coach Danny Sprinkle have rebounded properly of late.
Within the final two days, the Aggies have obtained commitments from three gamers — Max Agbonkpolo, Darius Brown II and Jackson Grant — every of whom could possibly be a direct contributor for Utah State subsequent season.
Grant, a switch from Washington, and Agbonkpolo, a switch from Wyoming (earlier than that USC), are former high 100 recruits, whereas Brown is the reigning Massive Sky Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Who's Jackson Grant?
- Rated the 78th-best prospect within the nation popping out of Olympia Excessive Faculty (Washington) in 2021, Grant is a former McDonald’s All-American who initially selected the Huskies over affords from Wisconsin, Cal, Oklahoma and Stanford.
- The Gatorade Boys Basketball Participant of the Yr (Washington) in 2020-21, Grant appeared in 39 video games for Washington over the past two seasons, however averaged simply over six minutes performed per recreation.
- As a senior at Olympia Excessive Faculty, Grant averaged 22.9 factors, 11.2 rebounds and three.0 blocks per recreation, changing 65.6% of his area aim makes an attempt, and was the second-highest rated prospect in Washington.
- Listed at 6-foot-10, Grant is a rising junior with a number of years of eligibility remaining.
Who's Max Agbonkpolo?
- Rated the 59th-best prospect within the nation popping out of Santa Margarita Catholic (California) in 2019, Agbonkpolo initially signed with USC — selecting the Trojans over the likes of Arizona, Gonzaga, Michigan, Virginia and others — earlier than transferring to Wyoming previous to final season.
- Agbonkpolo’s tenure at Wyoming didn’t final lengthy, as he was dismissed from this system — together with fellow transfers Ethan Anderson (USC) and Jake Kyman (UCLA) in February.
- On the time, Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder stated in a press release to The Star Tribune: “We thank Max, Ethan and Jake for his or her contributions to this system. We want them effectively of their futures, each on and off the court docket. ... I do know what proper appears to be like like and I do know what improper appears to be like like. As we transfer ahead, we simply wish to be certain that now we have the fellows who wish to be on a regular basis dudes and who wish to present up and work and put the time in and do the little issues.
- Agbonkpolo averaged 5.4 factors and a couple of.8 rebounds in 16 video games performed with the Cowboys (he began six video games) and holds profession averages of 5.0 factors, 2.6 rebounds and a 40.0% taking pictures proportion in 106 collegiate video games performed.
Who's Darius Brown II?
- 5 years into his collegiate taking part in profession, Brown might be on his third college when he fits up for the Aggies. The Pasadena, California, native spent the primary 4 years of his profession at California State College, Northridge, the place he was an All-Massive West Second Group choice in 2020-21.
- Brown transferred to Montana State previous to final season (with two years of eligibility remaining) and thrived underneath Sprinkle, averaging 9.1 factors, 4.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per recreation, whereas taking pictures 46.5% from the sector and 39.7% from behind the arc.
- Listed at 6-foot-2, Brown was named the Massive Sky Defensive Participant of the Yr final season (he was additionally third-team All-Massive Sky) and can play his closing collegiate season with the Aggies.
Anybody else?
On Wednesday, the Aggies introduced the signing of former Idaho Vandals ahead Nigel Burris.
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝!
— USU Males's Hoops (@USUBasketball) April 26, 2023
Welcome to the Aggie Household @nigelburris8 🤘#AggiesAllTheWaypic.twitter.com/fupsoxeYjn
- Burris was the Massive Sky Freshman of the Yr in 2022-23, after taking part in in all 32 video games (beginning 25) as a real freshman.
- He averaged 8.8 factors and 5.0 rebounds per recreation — the best of any freshman within the convention.
- A 6-foot-7 ahead out of Archbishop Mitty (San Francisco), Burris was a three-star prospect within the 2022 class and Twenty ninth-highest rated prospect in California.
Who has transferred from Utah State?
The Aggies have misplaced their fair proportion of gamers (and coaches) this offseason, after making it to the NCAA Event for the twenty third time in program historical past and the third time within the final 5 years.
Former head coach Ryan Odom is now main the VCU program in Richmond, Virginia. Shulga and Bairstow adopted Odom to VCU, whereas Ashworth is headed to Creighton, and Cade Potter to Excessive Factors.
Each Rylan Jones and Szymon Zapala have but to land with a brand new program and Zapala has been concerned with the USU program for the reason that rent of Sprinkle.