After losing several players to the transfer portal, Josh Eilert and his coaching staff will have to find replacements.
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Four members of the West Virginia basketball program – Tre Mitchell, Joe Toussaint, Mohamed Wague and James Okonkwo – have entered the transfer portal since Bob Huggins’ resignation as the head coach of the Mountaineers. Although Toussaint, Wague and Okonkwo could potentially return, it’s likely that West Virginia will have several openings on their current roster before the season starts. With that said, new interim head coach Josh Eilert and his staff will have to look to the transfer portal to fill the holes on the team.
Here are the best available players and fits for the Mountaineers to consider:
Paul Mulcahy, 6’7 PG, Rutgers
Perhaps the most talented available player in the transfer portal at this time, Mulcahy averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals for Rutgers last season. If the Mountaineers lose Toussaint to the portal, which is expected, Mulcahy would be the ideal replacement. However, it won’t be easy, as he as received offers from multiple major progams, including Florida, UConn, Villanova, Maryland and others.
Deshawndre Washington, 6’7 Forward, New Mexico State
A 6’7 forward from Chicago, Illinois, Washington is a terrific athlete who averaged 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season.
Alexis Yetna, 6’8 PF, Seton Hall
Yetna has already visited Morgantown on a visit and is familiar with the program. If both Wague and Okonkwo move on to other programs, Yetna would have an opportunity to step in to the Mountaineers’ starting lineup immediately. Yetna, a native of Paris, France, averaged 8.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for Seton Hall last season.
Malique Ewin, 6’11 Center, Ole Miss
A former four star recruit out of Georgia, Ewin struggled to see the court during his freshman season, averaging 5.9 minutes, 1.4 points, and 1.1 rebounds per game at Ole Miss. However, he is an extremely physically gifted player who would be a perfect backup for Jesse Edwards at center.
Carte’Are Gordon, 6’9 Center, Grambling
A junior from St. Louis, Missouri, Gordon averaged 12.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last season and would provide much-needed minutes in the Mountaineers’ front court, particularly if Wague and Okonkwo do not return.
