Incoming Transfers
While we wait for the ink to dry on new commitments, here is our take on portal priorities. We will update this section with players and analysis just as soon as incoming transfers are announced.
Portal Shopping List
- Target: Starting Center
- Target: Starting Power Forward
- Target: Starting Point Guard
- Depth: Rotation Wing
- Depth: Rotation Center / Forward
- Best Available: Wing/Guard
- Best Available: Front Court
Outgoing Transfers
Robert Davis Jr.
OUTGOING
6-6 • 190 lbs • Junior • Guard
Prev: UMass
Prev: UMass
Unfiltered Take: Rob seems like a great person and we wish him well at his next stop. In year one at ODU he brought a lot of excitement and built a reputation as a serious threat to drop 30 on any given night. Year two was disappointing. Bottom Line: RDJ was a solid Monarch, but a change of scenery is probably best for all parties.
Drew McKenna
OUTGOING
6-7 • 220 lbs • Junior • Guard/Forward
Prev: Glenelg Country School
Prev: Glenelg Country School
Unfiltered Take: This guy has the talent, frame, and athleticism to play at the highest levels of Division I college basketball. Unfortunately, he has not yet figured out how to tap into them. Bottom Line: McKenna was definitely worth taking a shot on, but coachability appears to be a problem. For Drew, we hope the next coach is the one who can unlock his limitless potential.
Incoming Freshmen
CJ Harper
INCOMING
6-3 • - • Freshman • Guard
Prev: The Paideia School
Prev: The Paideia School
Unfiltered Take: Harper is a versatile 6-foot-3 combo guard who brings excellent length and the fluid ability to either initiate the offense or play off the ball on the wing. However, he will need to significantly tighten his handle and add strength to withstand the bruising, aggressive perimeter defense he will face nightly at the Division I level. Bottom Line: Harper's raw upside is undeniable, but relying on him as a Day 1 starter is a gamble for a team that lacks the consistency that strong upperclassmen provide.
CJ Lyons
INCOMING
6-2 • - • Freshman • Guard
Prev: Clinton Grace Christian School
Prev: Clinton Grace Christian School
Unfiltered Take: Lyons is a 6-foot-2 lead guard who projects to bring dynamic shot creation and scoring bursts. However, to survive the physical Sun Belt, he will need to add strength and adjust to college-level defensive pressure. Bottom Line: Lyons is a very nice prospect, but we shouldn't expect to rely on a freshman point guard to give us 30 minutes a night.
2026 - 2027 Current Roster
Zacch Wiggins
RETURNING
6-4 • 200 lbs • Sophomore • Guard
Unfiltered Take: Wiggins is a rangy wing who can score at all three levels, rebounds well for his position, and shows real promise as a defender. He had a very nice freshman campaign. Bottom Line: We expect Wiggins to take a step forward into a leading role for the 2026-27 Monarchs.
Scottie Hubbard
RETURNING
6-6 • 210 lbs • Junior • Guard
Unfiltered Take: Hubbard is an interesting case. He is a streaky shooter — mostly a standstill catch-and-shoot threat — but he has nice size as a wing. He struggles to defend in space, though he holds up better against bigger, slower players. He also rebounds well for a wing. Bottom Line: If ODU is going to take a step forward, Hubbard is a rotation player at best, and to become a solid rotation piece he must become a more consistent shooter and a better defender in space.
CJ Harper
INCOMING
6-3 • - • Freshman • Guard
Prev: The Paideia School
Prev: The Paideia School
Unfiltered Take: Harper is a versatile 6-foot-3 combo guard who brings excellent length and the fluid ability to either initiate the offense or play off the ball on the wing. However, he will need to significantly tighten his handle and add strength to withstand the bruising, aggressive perimeter defense he will face nightly at the Division I level. Bottom Line: Harper's raw upside is undeniable, but relying on him as a Day 1 starter is a gamble for a team that lacks the consistency that strong upperclassmen provide.
CJ Lyons
INCOMING
6-2 • - • Freshman • Guard
Prev: Clinton Grace Christian School
Prev: Clinton Grace Christian School
Unfiltered Take: Lyons is a 6-foot-2 lead guard who projects to bring dynamic shot creation and scoring bursts. However, to survive the physical Sun Belt, he will need to add strength and adjust to college-level defensive pressure. Bottom Line: Lyons is a very nice prospect, but we shouldn't expect to rely on a freshman point guard to give us 30 minutes a night.
Donovan Raymond
RETURNING
6-10 • 225 lbs • Junior • Forward
Prev: Hampton
Prev: Hampton
Unfiltered Take: Raymond is rangy and athletic at 6-foot-10, but two years in the program have yet to produce any significant development from the Hampton transfer. Raymond often looks lost at both ends of the floor, struggles to rebound relative to his size, and has difficulty defending without fouling. Bottom Line: For Raymond to be a reliable rotation piece, he will need to take a significant leap forward in his third year as a Monarch.
Elijah Flowers
RETURNING
6-7 • 195 lbs • Freshman - RS • Forward
Unfiltered Take: Flowers is expected to enter the portal, so we won't spend too much time here. Bottom Line: Flowers redshirted his first year with the Monarchs and appears ready to hit the portal before he ever steps on the court.
Jared Turner
RETURNING
6-8 • 215 lbs • Senior • Forward
Prev: Northeastern
Prev: Northeastern
Unfiltered Take: Turner is a player without a true position. At 6-foot-8, he lacks the quickness to defend on the perimeter and the shot-making ability to play as a true wing, but he also lacks the physicality and athleticism to function as a true power forward. Turner is a standstill shooter who is streaky but capable of posting a solid three-point percentage over the course of a season. Bottom Line: Turner is at best a rotation player who can provide spot minutes at the three and four positions, potentially offering a three-point spark off the bench.
Ben Nacey
RETURNING
6-8 • 250 lbs • Junior • Forward
Unfiltered Take: We love Big Ben, but progress has been slow and hampered by limited playing time. He has a nice touch around the rim, but his lack of athleticism makes it difficult for him to guard and rebound at the Sun Belt level. Bottom Line: Ben projects as a depth piece who could provide solid minutes against the right matchup, but it is hard to expect him to be a significant contributor.
CJ Parker
RETURNING
6-6 • 210 lbs • Sophomore • Guard
Unfiltered Take: Parker is a walk-on in his third season with the Monarchs and is not expected to fit into the rotation. Bottom Line: Parker is a solid team-first guy who has spent time in the system. If he can provide leadership and help newcomers absorb the culture and the system, he has done his job.
Rieco Hellams
RETURNING
5-10 • 165 lbs • Junior • Guard
Unfiltered Take: Hellams has played spot minutes at times. He is a quick and willing defender but lacks the size and strength to be a consistent contributor. Bottom Line: Hellams has been a great culture guy who shows leadership and is clearly respected by his coaches, but his greatest contributions will remain the things he does behind the scenes. We appreciate what he brings to the program, even when we don't see it on the stat sheet.