The Final Scholarship (Likely) Goes To…

The West Virginia Mountaineers have one scholarship remaining for next season and Head Coach Bob Huggins is in no rush to fill it.  In fact, Huggins is quite content with his current roster and will only fill the spot with a player that fits with his team perfectly.

Although several high-profile players have been available and some still remain – including Georgetown’s Mac McClung – the player that has flown under the radar and is the most likely to end up in Morgantown is Andrew Garcia, a 6’5 senior guard from Stony Brook of the America East Conference.

Garcia, who was all-conference second team player, averaged 13.4 points and a team-best 6.7 rebounds.  Garcia, who is a graduate transfer, will have year of eligibility remaining and wants to compete at the highest level in his final year of school.

“I have always wanted to play at the highest level and I showed myself this past season I am capable of it.  I have one year left and I want the challenge.”

Three of Stony Brook’s best players decided to transfer after last season and Garcia was the first to decide to move on.  “What I worry about is that I messed up something great we built here together.  If I hadn’t decided first, I think we might have kept this together.”

Fansided article agrees that Garcia would make a great fit with the Mountaineers, calling West Virginia one of the top ten teams that should target him: “Garcia would be an upgrade in that area and would provide a scoring boost, without sacrificing the defensive intensity of West Virginia’s system. With a great returning frontcourt and good point guard in Miles McBride, the shooting and wing contributions will be important for this team to be a contender next season. Of the available options, Garcia fits very well.”

There have been many talented players that have come and gone in the transfer portal this offseason, but Garcia appears to be an outstanding fit and the most likely player to fill the final remaining spot on the the West Virginia Mountaineers.