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Topic: RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Topic: RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

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FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 12:27:06 PM

QuantCat wrote:

Digging into some of the available metrics for Dusan, his skillset appears to be very similar to Hadaway.

Aidan Hadaway: https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Aidan-Hadaway/Summar...
Dusan Makitan: https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Dusan-Makitan/Summar...

He fits the profile of being an elite scorer in the paint and a very good rebounder, but shoots a very high volume of 3s (3.5 per game) while only making 21% of them. The high volume of 3s as an inefficient shooter was the main basketball critique of Hadaway last season. Dusan as a prospect looks like he can be an even better rebounder than Hadaway, especially on the offensive boards. His defensive metrics aren�t amazing, but also he is playing in a league with guys in their late 20s and 30s, so that�s something where he could very well be a good defensive player in the MAC against younger guys.

Overall he can be a really solid player, elite rebounder, and a good finisher. The big watch out with him is the high 3pt volume on really bad efficiency. Assuming the goal is to play him and Simmons together, they will need shooting on the floor to create spacing that allows Simmons and Makitan to play at the rim. KDA shot 40% last year from 3 which is already better than anybody we had last year. I can�t find much of anything on Brogan related to shooting splits, Kuany and particularly Burris have potential to get to 35%+. Wouldn�t mind seeing them bring in another proven shooter to throw into the starting lineup and there�s real potential there.

Not saying the program needs to overcorrect and go full Miami with a roster full of shooters, but the best teams of the Boals era (2020/21 - 2023/24) all had at least 4 guys in the rotation right at or above 35% from 3. So if we�re looking for 4, the only one I�d mark in pen would be KDA. There�s others on the roster I think have potential to hit that mark (Brogan, Burris, Kuany, McKinney), but would like to see at least one more that we can reliably count on to shoot at that 35%+ clip. And yes, for those who will point out what happened with Dior last year, stuff can happen.

Nice breakdown per usual, QuantCat. This is one of those scenarios where I hope our staff will utilize data and encourage players playing to their strengths. Too many possessions get wasted when inefficient shooters are chucking up 3's. I'm guessing Makutan plugs right into the starting lineup. He's a bit older at 21, so I'm excited to see how he translates to the MAC.

I agree, we do need more shooters. There are 4 scholarships left and I hope at least half of those are allocated to guys who are capable of knocking down the 3 at an above average clip.

Keep dipping into Europe if that helps accomplish it.

Mike Coleman
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 12:45:15 PM

That's a pretty decent league, and the Americans who do play there were mostly very good NCAA players. For him to put up those stats as a 20-year-old, he definitely projects as a top-tier MAC player. I'd say it's likely he's our top recruit in this class to date if not in awhile.

Mike Coleman
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 1:05:19 PM

Seems to me if we can pick up some of these guys from mid pro leagues then it is a no-brainer. Probably a better move on their part, too, then bouncing around leagues. Bosnia is below Greece, Croatia,Turkey, obviously but a move to the states now makes more sense due to NIL.

For the record, Ivo Baltic had three career points in one of these leagues. I'm impressed with this one.

Andrew Ruck
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 2:18:18 PM

QuantCat wrote:

...but shoots a very high volume of 3s (3.5 per game) while only making 21% of them.

Lord help me.

Andrew Ruck
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FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 2:31:01 PM

Our staff wasted no time following Lilian Marville of UNCG who entered portal 16 hours ago. French kid. Only 6'1 but averaged 10ppg and shot 52% from 3 on 98 attempts. Would certainly help with our outside shooting.

Keep the Euro train rolling.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...

OhioCatFan
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 3:01:58 PM

FJC31 wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

What happened to guy who was rumored we might get from one of the nations of the former Yugoslavia? Can't remember if it was Serbia, Crotia, Bosnia or Slovnia. But, there were some posts about this dude a month or so ago. He go somewhere else?

I was wondering this too. Dusan Makitan looks like the guy who fits the profile. No announcement on his end. Everyone follows him and vice versa.

Wonder if there's visa hurdles. I feel like Kuany was inevitable for awhile before he actually announced.

I guess I asked a timely question. Welcome to OHIO Dusan!

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

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shabamon
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/15/2026 6:13:00 PM

Sean Jones to Toledo

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 6:15:04 AM

Looks like we signed an Australian kid named Che Brogan. 6'6 forward. Haven't looked much, but can't find much on his stats. Played in Australia last year, but went to high school in California.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 7:30:19 AM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

Looks like we signed an Australian kid named Che Brogan. 6'6 forward. Haven't looked much, but can't find much on his stats. Played in Australia last year, but went to high school in California.

Brogan played in four games in the NBL last year. Only 5.6 mpg -- garbage time, it seems like.

A lot of write-ups refer to him as a playmaker or "floor general".

(Note: apparently this was 6 days ago, so maybe I just missed the discussion earlier in the thread)

shabamon
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 7:47:53 AM

More digging on Brogan shows he played at Mater Dei in California early on in high school.

FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 8:05:26 AM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

Looks like we signed an Australian kid named Che Brogan. 6'6 forward. Haven't looked much, but can't find much on his stats. Played in Australia last year, but went to high school in California.

Here are some highlights Cats5 posted that are further back in the thread. A good friend of mine is Australian and mentioned the Centre of Excellence is where elite athletes in the country go, compared it to IMG. NBL is Australian�s highest pro league. Che also averaged 8ppg playing for Australia�s FIBA U19 team during World Cup.

Cats5 wrote:

There's plenty in these videos that shows me he has good potential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuHcnL8pznA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJyANY1pKus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zurCxUm1eXA

This one has more outside shooting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsFgDTvGQrY

Last Edited: 4/16/2026 8:06:14 AM by FJC31

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 1:03:43 PM

FJC31 wrote:

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

Looks like we signed an Australian kid named Che Brogan. 6'6 forward. Haven't looked much, but can't find much on his stats. Played in Australia last year, but went to high school in California.

Cats5 wrote:

Thanks. Missed it somehow.

He definitely looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands than any wing we've had in a while. Would be good to have a playmaker who isn't a PG. It's been a while since that was the case.

FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 2:28:50 PM

We might turn into mid-major Illinois after this portal cycle. Have reached out to DePaul transfer Ilija Milijasevic. Miami, BG, and Buffalo have as well. Tweet says he�s 6�4 but his ESPN page says 6�2

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...

https://x.com/bestxandos/status/2044511663014006870?s=46&...

Might have some familiarity with Dusan, both spent time in ABA.

Last Edited: 4/16/2026 2:29:13 PM by FJC31

FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 3:28:57 PM

We�ve contacted La Tech�s Anthony Bates Jr. This was posted 3 days ago. He might actually be our next commit. He follows the Ohio Men�s Basketball page (no other schools besides La Tech�s), Kyler, Dusan, Javan, Lamar, Boals, and other staffers.

Would be an interesting fit if so. 6�3, averaged 12ppg and 6apg (top 25). Not a strong shooter at 38% and 29% from 3PT this last season.

https://x.com/bjenkins247/status/2043734612921200911?s=46...

Last Edited: 4/16/2026 3:29:23 PM by FJC31

Bobcat Tattoo
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 4:53:32 PM

FJC31 wrote:

This seems like a strange one to me. We just signed two players in Brogan and KDA whose strengths appear to be playmaking (KDA is also an excellent scorer). Bates' stats clearly indicate his is a facilitator rather than a shooter, but do we have room on the court for a third PG-like player? Or would he be a backup?

FishBates
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 5:08:35 PM

Not only does Bates have a cool name, he dropped 34 on so-called Liberty (a 26 win team) on the road. Kind of mysterious how he went from 2 assists per game one year to 6 the next.

He also dropped 29 and 27 vs decent mid-majors MTSU and Mizzou State. But also had some games to forget.

QuantCat
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 9:11:04 PM

Bobcat Tattoo wrote:

FJC31 wrote:

Trying to read through the tea leaves without any intel, it appears as though KDA will end up playing at the 2. If we signed Brogan, were in on the Sean Jones sweepstakes, and now appear to be a strong contender for Bates, that to me is the likely vision. KDA can still be a playmaker, but his assists per game averages in college are 3.4 in 25/26, 2.0 in 24/25, and 1.4 in 23/24. For reference our last 2 lead PGs in Pav and Hunter averaged around 5 per game.

Even with the inefficient shooting numbers, I really like the prospect of Bates. He had one of the best assist rates in the country last year according to Kenpom while simultaneously having one of the lowest turnover rates on his team. On top of that, the EvanMiya data indicates that even if he was an inefficient shooter, he still managed to have a significant impact on the game in a positive way. Last season he would have rated out as our 2nd best player.

FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/16/2026 9:34:46 PM

QuantCat wrote:

Bobcat Tattoo wrote:

FJC31 wrote:

KDA to the 2 was my guess as well. I saw Bates would have been 2nd and tied in win shares with Javan behind Pavs.

Looking at Bates� game log � there was a 13 game stretch between January and February where he went 3/46 from 3PT. That�s almost unsustainably bad at 7%. If he even hit 29% (season average) during that stretch which would have been 10 more 3PT shots, his average jumps to 35% for the season.

A little bit of cherry picking, but that�s a pretty brutal stretch of 3PT shooting.

OhioCatFan
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 12:28:17 AM

FJC31 wrote:

QuantCat wrote:

Bobcat Tattoo wrote:

FJC31 wrote:

All shooters (just like MLB batters) have slumps. This means that if you just count the non-slump period his 3-point shooting average would be quiet good.

Andrew Ruck
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 8:02:35 AM

Assist heavy, not great shooting point guards can absolutely work if you have guys at the 2 & 3 that are a threat with their outside shot. Not sure we have that (yet).

Andrew Ruck
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 8:32:12 AM

Bates is interesting. And so far, for the most part, I like what the staff is doing this offseason.

Boals' system doesn't work well without multiple ball-handlers and multiple guys who can create looks. It's not a very structured offense; a lot of motion principles, a ton of dribble handoffs to get guys the ball with a head of steam and some space, and a lot of latitude for players to create their own looks.

The last couple of years, we haven't had the right personnel for it. Pavs was well-suited to it, but Clayton couldn't do anything with the ball in his hands other than shoot, and Hadaway wasn't a particularly good playmaker. Ditto for Connors, Sheldon, Elliott, etc. The second/third actions were pretty much all low-efficiency.

Given that the Australian kid's considered a 'playmaker' and we're looking at multiple point guards (including one who is big at 6'3) it seems like we're putting a premium on playmaking. I'd like to couple it with more shooting, but I suspect that's the hardest skill to land these days.

Bobcat1998
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 8:36:26 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

Assist heavy, not great shooting point guards can absolutely work if you have guys at the 2 & 3 that are a threat with their outside shot. Not sure we have that (yet).

Color me unimpressed so far with our haul. I like the D'Augustino signing but is he Pavs? More like Pavs Lite. Brogan and Dusan are intriguing but so was Kuany. So was Walking Bucket. So was Evans--seems like Boals excels at "intriguing" but fails at development. Right now as I see it, we have a 6-2 point guard in Bates if he signs, a 6-1 shooting guard, a 6-5 small forward from Australia, a 6-8 small/power forward and a 6-8 power forward/center. Bench consists of McKinney, Bowens, Bucket and Kuany. Where is our 3 and D guy? Where is a real post guy like DW3 who can just pound and get points outside of Javan? Maybe Boals has something up his sleeve but history tells us NOT.

M.D.W.S.T
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 9:41:47 AM

Bobcat1998 wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

Assist heavy, not great shooting point guards can absolutely work if you have guys at the 2 & 3 that are a threat with their outside shot. Not sure we have that (yet).

Thanks for highlighting. Sounds like a pretty nice, well-rounded haul to me.

And Dusan is the real post guy you're looking for. 15/10 banging with 30 year old eastern Europeans. ABA League 2 is a solid league of career pros. He's far more tested than your average freshman. And he dominated the boards. 4 offensive rebounds a game? That's DW3. Next to Simmons. Mosley off the bench. Kuany rotating in. Solid 4-5 rotation from where I'm sitting. Simmons is going to play 38 minutes a game. Dusan will likely be in the 30's rotating with Mosley. Kuany shifting around between 3-4-5. We've got good things in place.

KDA being Pavs lite would be solid. We don't have to replicate ALL of his production. Just pieces here and there. And I think we've done that. He was one of the top scorers in the Horizon league. He's not going to forget how to play when he gets here. He had 21 on Ohio State. He put 31 on Wright State. 28 on Robert Morris. He shoots nearly 40% from 3. The kid can play. Don't be such a bummer.

Brogan played on the FIBA U19 World Cup team. He had 7 points off the bench vs the USA team that had AJ Dybantsa, Koa Pete and the #3 recruit, Naismith player of the year Jordan Smith. Flippantly dismissing these dudes is so funny, but right on par for you.

These are some guys who have played well-above their standing as "freshman".

QuantCat
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 9:46:14 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

Assist heavy, not great shooting point guards can absolutely work if you have guys at the 2 & 3 that are a threat with their outside shot. Not sure we have that (yet).

For sure, I don�t think the stating 3 is on the roster yet. If you are running a lineup of:
PG: Bates
SG: KDA
Wing: Unknown
PF1: Simmons
PF2: Dusan

That wing spot has to be someone capable of shooting at least 35% from 3 and the offense becomes very dangerous. That gives you an elite playmaker leading the offense, a secondary playmaker in KDA, 2 shooters in the SG and SF, and two elite inside players with Simmons and Dusan. If that Wing spot is a shooter, that will create spacing and what could be a very balanced offense. In a perfect world that spot is a 40% shooter and elite defensive player, but those guys I would imagine are very expensive.

I also like what the staff has done thus far, Jeff said he was resetting the program and is clearly trying a new approach. The international guys could come with some volatility, as I would imagine scouting is wildly different than a typical college transfer or high school recruit, but there is real upside in a rev share era where they may be cheaper.

FJC31
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RE: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

Posted: 4/17/2026 9:54:52 AM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

I'd like to couple it with more shooting, but I suspect that's the hardest skill to land these days.

This is my thought as well. In past years, size was in high demand and still is. However, it seems like 3PT shooting is going quickly in the portal this year and at a premium. I posted about UNCG's Lilian Marville (51% 3pt shooting) entering the portal 2 days ago and he's already committed to George Mason.

If Bates is the next add and that seems inevitable now (add Burris and Chase Boals to the previous following group), that gives us 3 schollies left. To me, two shooters and another big would be the best allocation.

We were in on a few D2 shooters early on, I wonder if any of those come into fruition now. Also curious to see if the staff continues to explore oversea options to fill out the rest of the roster. I've noticed Boals is following a number of international agents and agencies. Nice to see the turning over every rock approach in roster building, I like what we've done so far as well.

Last Edited: 4/17/2026 9:59:23 AM by FJC31

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