Baylor G Dale Bonner has entered the transfer portal. Grad transfer. https://t.co/zV6Imgl7YS

— Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) April 5, 2023

As the self-proclaimed president of the Dale Bonner fan club, I was looking forward to the opportunity to see what he could do for a full season playing at the confidence level he finished this season with. But I wish him success at this next stop.

Our backcourt is going to be pretty crowded this year after we add a transfer. It's hard to get minutes for more than five guards and you've got to think that Grimes, Little, Love and Walter will all get theirs.

We have what 4 spots open now? Loveday, Turner, Cryer, George, Flo, Bonner are gone and we add Little and Walter. So 4 spots? Hoping we add a few instant impact guys

Damn, this seems more surprising than Cryer, I thought he was in a great spot to get a lot of Pt here. Maybe concerned about Little getting the keys?

I am not surpised TBH. He was gonna be behind Little, Grimes, Walter and Love in usage and playing time. Probably he knows we are also in on another 1 or 2 incoming portal guards as well.

I'm guessing him sitting some this season played into this.

I suppose it really depends on what role he wants. If he wants to go somewhere he will play more but maybe not be on as good of team I get it. I also suppose he could be seeking NIL money as his pro prospects are limited. Probably at best am overseas player. I liked having his services for depth, but less worried about filling his spot as I am with Cryer. If it was two way, I am sure it means we have a solid portal guy coming in or Grimes was going to take some of his minutes.

We need/I miss beef in the middle that can bring pain when necessary!

PaperBear89 said:

---

God I hate this new era of college sports. Apparently "iron sharpening iron" doesn't mean squat any more.

---

Yeah, the old way where you sit for five years despite your best efforts and you use up all your eligibility. This is a new crazy world, and there may be tweaks to how it's done, but the old way benefited no one but the fan who knew their team had a big full bench, even if that bench was losing playing time year over year.

Not surprised very much. Always thought he would look to move back to a level commensurate with like an A-10 school, where he would likely be guaranteed to start and be closer to family.

The rumors in Houston had swirled about LJ weeks ago. He can say what he wants now, but it was verbalized by more than a few in the Houston high school circles that he may not be at Baylor next year so I don't buy that it was a two-day ago decision.

I always expected Turner would leave was told potentially Love (to some freewheeling NIL stuff being thrown around). I was also told to keep an eye on Jonathan, that he was not 100% coming back here or even 100% playing basketball next year.

I never expected Loveday to move along, although in hindsight I guess I should have when they walked him out for Senior Day. Maybe that was the staff's way of telling Turner and Loveday it was time to move along. Who knows.

May as well get used to it. This is the future of college basketball, not just for us but everyone else as well.

Bonner was the most likely of any player that would get playing time. Not a starter at this level and would still only get 10-15 minutes to spell younger guys. Probably wanted a more significant established role. LJ not a big surprise either based on a few things. Love would be a minor surprise but not totally out there either. I could see Jon as once you are a full grown man you tend to have different priorities and if basketball isn't apart of that future (only he knows) you want to pivot and not linger.

Loveday and Turner weren't going to see the floor so not a surprise as the staff has given them respect while not being viable high D1 players. With the program fulfilling their end its not a surprise.

I'm glad you haven't mentioned Bridges as he would probably have the most Nil value outside of LJ. But Im sure even that is possible. He and Flagler were the best players on the team for the last few months.

Ton of spots open for them now to fill in the pieces.

I think Bridges is limited, Quinton, although I may be wrong. Not limited in terms of skills, but limited because I don't believe he's graduated and he's used his 1 time transfer. The NCAA eliminated several of the waiver clauses to override the 1 time transfer, which would make it difficult for him to move for NIL, or at least so I've been told. You and/or others may know more details though.

He's one I hope doesn't leave. That's for sure.

EvilTroyAndAbed said:

---

PaperBear89 said:

---

God I hate this new era of college sports. Apparently "iron sharpening iron" doesn't mean squat any more.

---

Yeah, the old way where you sit for five years despite your best efforts and you use up all your eligibility. This is a new crazy world, and there may be tweaks to how it's done, but the old way benefited no one but the fan who knew their team had a big full bench, even if that bench was losing playing time year over year.

---

I hope that eventually some happy medium is found. I'm generally for a player's freedom of movement, but college basketball (and athletics, in general) will lose a lot of what makes it special if no one stays in a place long enough for fans to get to get to know them and for coaches to build with/around them.

I want guys with no path to playing time to have the ability to go find some and I want guys in toxic situations to be able to get out of those. But I hope eventually there are enough three- and four-year guys to give teams some continuity from one season to the next. It's just too early in the transfer portal era to know exactly what it will look like five or 10 years down the road.

I don't have a problem with any of the transfers. We need to add defenders. Yes , Bonner was our best defender at guard, but I believe that can be replaced and I don't want anyone on the squad who is not 100% onboard.

Cryer wants to move on. The two bigs added nothing.

We now have the spots to add defense, length, a guy to give hard fouls and a bigger, athletic guard.

I like all of this.

We going to be able to field a team?

BearTruth13 said:

---

We going to be able to field a team?

---

Kansas State had two players on their roster this time last year, and they made it to the Elite Eight. Replacing half or more of your roster is likely the new normal in the transfer portal era.

bear2be2 said:

---

BearTruth13 said:

---

We going to be able to field a team?

---

Kansas State had two players on their roster this time last year, and they made it to the Elite Eight. Replacing half or more of your roster is likely the new normal in the transfer portal era.

---

presently, only three openings with one coming from a portal entry, ish massoud. i would not be surprised to see a few others leave tang's program, as he's said he's yet to have individual meetings other than with ish.

tmcats said:

---

bear2be2 said:

---

BearTruth13 said:

---

We going to be able to field a team?

---

Kansas State had two players on their roster this time last year, and they made it to the Elite Eight. Replacing half or more of your roster is likely the new normal in the transfer portal era.

---

presently, only three openings with one coming from a portal entry, ish massoud. i would not be surprised to see a few others leave tang's program, as he's said he's yet to have individual meetings other than with ish.

---

With as many transfers as K-State took last year, it's unlikely y'all will have a ton of movement this offseason. But it won't be uncommon IMO for anyone to have large portions of their roster to replace going forward. It's just the nature of the beast in the transfer portal era.

Let’s work! @OhioStateHoops #Commited pic.twitter.com/b3l03i7E0b

— Dale Bonner (@dalebonne) April 17, 2023

Wish this guy the very best!

Honest question, besides Bridges, what talented, proven, non injured player is left?

None, gonna need portal help in the worst way. Langston and the incoming Freshman obviously have talent. But if we're relying on those 3 to carry the scoring load it'll be a long season

Drew is a great recruiter, so it'll be fun watching what happens.