After a disappointing season for ASU men's basketball, the team is now heading into a new conference with players in the transfer portal, a coach's contract extended, seniors leaving and high school commitments on their way.
Who's leaving?
This season was the end of the road for a couple of guys on the ASU squad, during senior night in Tempe the team celebrated Bobby Hurley Jr., Jose Perez, Alonzo Gaffney and Zane Meeks.
Perez left the team before the Pac-12 Tournament after receiving an offer to play overseas. He provided a strong scoring presence and a good sense of leadership for the team as one of the oldest players at 25 years old. Perez averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his lone season for the Sun Devils. He was also shooting over 40% from deep.
Gaffney applied soid defensive pressure with his length and athleticism while improving his catch-and-shoot ability. Gaffney finished out the season averaging a career-high 6.3 points, followed by 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
"I feel bad for Alonzo Gaffney, who came to me a couple of years ago, and you always get a little sentimental about your seniors but he helped get us to an NCAA tournament," head coach Bobby Hurley said. "For him to be put through this tonight to finish his career it just sucks, I feel terrible for Gaffney."
Along with four seniors leaving, four guys have now decided to take their chances in the transfer portal: Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Braelon Green and Akil Watson.
Out of the transfers, Collins and Neal played the most prominent roles for the team last season. They led the team in minutes played, rebounds, and steals while they both averaged double digits in points. Collins also made history, setting the record for the most steals in a single season for ASU.
READ MORE: Single-season steals record holder Frankie Collins to enter transfer portal
Who's coming in?
With at least eight players onto new things, Hurley will have to look to the portal while getting ready to put his incoming recruits on the court. As of now, Hurley has four commits coming out of high school: one guard, two forwards, and one center.
Ketraleus "Bo" Aldridge is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He graduated in 2023 from Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas, but then reclassified to 2024 and went to PHHoenix Prep. The athletics-heavy school brings in recruits and helps them build their resume to eventually place them at a higher level of hoops. Aldridge is a versatile, speedy, high-flying guard who can be a threat anywhere on the floor.
Amier Ali, a four-star prospect, out of Canyon International Academy in Queen Creek has numerous tricks up his sleeve. He can use his 6-foot 8-inch frame to attack the basket and finish through contact, but he can also drag the defense out because of his ability to shoot the three, even in coverage. He has good passing ability and does a good job playing off the ball, finding his spots to get open shots.
Sammie Yeanay is a nightmare matchup for any defender, he has great handles and his ability to take his opponent off the dribble and find his way to a bucket or a dish. He is a four-star player who most recently played at Compass Prep in Chandler. He has a good understanding of how to play under the hoop and along the baseline to get buckets and grab rebounds. At Compass Prep, he averaged about eight points, five rebounds, an assist and one steal.
Jaden Smith is a three-star 6-foot 11-inch center out of Kenwood Academy in Chicago. During his senior year at Kenwood, he was averaging 8.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and five blocks. He was also shooting almost 60% from the field.
Smith is a serious problem in the paint on both ends of the floor. His length and skill defensively make it a challenge for defenders to get a layup. He possesses a strong offensive game down low, being able to back down defenders and finish in traffic. Smith had an unreal game last year where his stat line read 15 points, 12 rebounds, 12 blocks and five assists.
Who's staying?
Of the players left on the ASU team, some have shown they can make an impact. If they haven’t made their mark yet, Hurley believes they will.
Those players are Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr., Bryant Selebangue, and Adam Miller.
Lands and Phillips Jr. didn't have outstanding seasons but they had flashes of brilliance where they looked like they could greatly impact the team. During the thrilling overtime loss against Washington where ASU came back from more than 20 points, Lands was the gas in the tank when ASU seemed to have no life.
Hurley was frustrated with his second-half starters and made a five-man sub early in the half where Lands came in. Minutes later he went on a 9-2 run all by himself to kickstart his team and their comeback.
In their loss against California, Phillips Jr. had a great night with 13 points, seven boards, two assists and a steal. Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, he was out with an injury for a part of the season and wasn't able to consistently put up these numbers only, averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds on the season. However, if he stays healthy, he could be a weapon for the Sun Devils.
Selebangue knew his role and played it well. He was referred to as the 'energy guy' because when they needed a spark, he provided it. He was able to make the most of his minutes by coming in, getting offensive rebounds, and making the most of those rebounds to get some points on the board. He averaged about five points and four rebounds, two of those offensive.
Miller was an offensive threat and a hardworking defender. He is a leader, has played in big games and has played for highly ranked teams. Although he started the season late due to NCAA restrictions, he found his rhythm and finished the season averaging 12 points a game.
READ MORE: Through trials and tribulations, 3-point specialist Adam Miller, is officially settled in
With lots of young talent in his hands, Hurley enters the Big 12 unsure of what the team as a finished product will look like. After losing three of the biggest leaders on the team, Perez, Collins, and Neal, this upcoming season will look different for the Sun Devils for better or for worse.
Edited by Vinny DeAngelis, Alysa Horton and Shane Brennan
Reach the reporter at hjsmardo@gmail.com and follow @HenryJSmardo on X.
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Henry is a junior studying journalism and mass communication. This is his third semester with The State Press. He has also worked as a sports reporter.
