As the offseason starts to develop there will be a lot to keep an eye on. Which players are coming back, which players are leaving, summer workouts, freshman and player development, scheduling notes, breaking news, speculations, season reviews, recruiting and anything else that seems to pop up related to Valpo basketball.
Below is last season's roster, and the status for next year:
Point Guard:
Rakim Chaney (Fr. 6'3") - Officially Announced Return
Mark Brown Jr. (Jr. 6'0)
Kyonte Thomas (5th 6'0") - Eligibility Expired
Nick Lombardi (So. WO 6'0")
Rajan Roberts (Incoming 6'0")
Two Guard:
Justus McNair (So. 6'3") - Officially Announced Return
Brody Whitaker (5th 6'3") - Eligibility Expired
Camden Webster (Fr. WO 6'3")
Joe Vick (Sr. WO 6'3") - Eligibility Expired
Justin Curry II (Incoming 6'4")
Wing:
Jayden Watson (RS Fr. 6'8")
Isaiah Barnes (RS. Sr. 6'7") - Eligibility Expired
Owen Dease (RS. Sr. 6'8") - Eligibility Expired
Sader Servilus (Fr. 6'4")
Hudson Scroggins (Incoming 6'7")
Power Forward:
JT Pettigrew (Fr. 6'8") - Officially Announced Return
Tucker Tornatta (So. 6'8")
Center:
Carter Hopoi (Fr. 6'11")
Kobe Walker (Fr. 6'9")
Shon Tupuola (Jr. 6'10")
Under current roster rules, teams are permitted to carry up to 15 players, all of whom may be on scholarship. There are limited waiver exceptions for walk-ons who were already on the roster prior to the rule change, I believe.
Accounting for known departures, known guys coming back, and the incoming freshman class, the roster currently has limited flexibility for adding transfer players unless additional players enter the transfer portal. If all returning players come back and the incoming freshmen enroll as expected, the roster would project to 13 scholarship players and 2 walk-ons. This significantly restricts the ability to add transfers without further roster movement. I think we all know there will be some guys leaving, but right now that is unknown. If someone leaves we have to replace that player with an upgrade. As many have mentioned here Powell can be a bit more selective in the portal as this offseason won’t be a full rebuild. Our cards next year are hedging on our best returning players taking another step forward in development and preserving the chemistry this team has built in the previous season. Our best 3 available offensive players are returning, now we need our core support players to come back.
Below is a positional breakdown from my perspective for next year, along with identified needs of what we know today. If a guy transfers than we have to find the replacement talent:
Point Guard:
- Rakim Chaney
- Rajan Roberts
- Mark Brown
- Nick Lombardi WO
This position appears adequately staffed with depth and ball-handling options. Some questions remain, will Rajan Roberts contribute like we may need for the back up role? Will Mark Brown transfer?
Shooting Guard:
- Justus McNair
- Transfer target needed
- Justin Curry
- Camden Webster WO
An additional scoring guard via the transfer portal would strengthen this position. Powell found Brody. Ideally an older transfer that can play wing and/or point as well to add depth, versatility, and leadership.
Wing:
- Target: a good-sized wing (6’6” or taller) with offensive impact
- Sader Servilus
- Jayden Watson
- Hudson Scroggins
Adding a physically larger, offensively productive wing remains a priority, Jayden Watson is still a question mark, Hudson Scroggins will need to develop physically to be impactful day 1. I want some size here and someone that can impact the game offensively.
Power Forward:
- JT Pettigrew
- Tucker Tornatta
Solid frontcourt depth, hopefully both of these guys have development jumps.
Center:
- Shon Tupuola
- Carter Hopoi
- Kobe Walker
This group provides size and depth at the center position, though lineup balance will depend on development and matchups. Additionally, impact scoring could be an area to monitor at the center position. I hope all 3 of these guys can continue to develop, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
I am interested to see who else decides to stay, and the caliber of incoming transfers. Our current guard depth is in great shape if Curry gets healthy. Powell’s focus right now is the frontcourt. Rebounding improved drastically this season because of size and physicality. I would be happy if everyone at the PF and C positions returned. We need more wing depth.
There have been some positive recruiting trends. Freshmen are committing sooner and are more nationally recognized, our retention is the highest it’s been in the Powell era, and we now get to be selective with incoming transfers rather than scrambling to put together a team.
Will the talent level of incoming transfers be higher as well? It will be interesting to see where we stand regarding our improved NIL.
I think the expectations within the program are clear regarding who is hopefully returning. No need to discuss those specifics here. With the program showing great progress and with our core set to return, I think it is fairly obvious which players may not be back and will transfer (those that did not play this season and dont see a path for minutes next season). As Bryan laid out in his detailed post above, we are pretty much set at the 1, 4, 5 +- a depth piece assuming the priority guys stick around. The real focus is adding a guy like Brody (to probably come off the bench behind Justus or as an 3rd pg if needed) and then adding ideally 2 wings with size. I believe progress is being made on those fronts and I expect an addition here soon (whether it is announced or not).
I am interested to see who else decides to stay, and the caliber of incoming transfers. Our current guard depth is in great shape if Curry gets healthy. Powell’s focus right now is the frontcourt. Rebounding improved drastically this season because of size and physicality. I would be happy if everyone at the PF and C positions returned. We need more wing depth.
There have been some positive recruiting trends. Freshmen are committing sooner and are more nationally recognized, our retention is the highest it’s been in the Powell era, and we now get to be selective with incoming transfers rather than scrambling to put together a team.
Will the talent level of incoming transfers be higher as well? It will be interesting to see where we stand regarding our improved NIL.
Region Rat: Your last question is a great one. Yes Valpo has an increased NIL but all need to remember that the donations are spread over many years and clearly it also cost some solid dollars to keep the key guys in place (think 6-7 guys not just the top 3). So Valpo will add key transfers and it is nice that they can be selective since a whole new roster is not needed this year. As for for the $ left and the level of those transfers, that will be interesting. I trust the coaches ability to judge talent over just grabbing expensive high major transfers. And that is good news because the staff will need to be smart and selective with limited NIL left etc. I think the Brody model is a good bet for atleast one new guy. We are in a great spot but do need to find that impact wing or two and then hopefully the returning guys take the natural jump as they gain more experience.
