Basketball transfers helping Winthrop succeed on the court: The Best Thing I Saw

Every seat in Winthrop Coliseum had flipped up as Kasen Harrison dribbled the ball at the mid-court logo.

The Eagles had stormed back from a 15-point second-half deficit to tie the UNC Asheville Bulldogs at 60 -- with 20 seconds left.

Standing at full attention, the crowd watched as Harrison maneuvered past a screen and drove right past a defender into the paint. With his right hand, Harrison flipped the game-winning layup up off the backboard into the basket.

62-60 Winthrop. Ballgame.

Harrison transferred to Winthrop this year from his hometown school, Lamar University in Beaumont, Tx. In 26 games at Winthrop, he has averaged 11 points and four assists and has taken on a share of the point guard responsibilities.

He says it’s reassuring that his team trusts him, even though he is new.

“It feels really good,” the 6-foot-2 junior guard said. “At times, I can get down on myself, but they seem to have more confidence in me than I have in myself. And it feels good because everyone is on the same page and everybody has the same goal, so we’re pulling for each other.”

16,000 athletes entered transfer portal

The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college sports.

More than 16,000 athletes in Division I entered the transfer portal from Aug. 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021, according to the NCAA. And while the NCAA has made several amendments, the transfer portal is here to stay.

College basketball does not top the NCAA in volume or name recognition of athletes who transfer. However, Division I mens and womens basketball respectively ranked first (31%) and second (22%) in percentage of athletes who transferred in 2021.

Transfers impact Winthrop

Winthrop is not immune to the effects of transfers.

“Now, it’s a different recruiting world,” Winthrop men’s basketball head coach Mark Prosser said. “With the immediate eligibility of transfers and stuff like that, it kinda threw everyone for a loop. And it happened so quickly.”

Winthrop’s mens team lost last season’s Big South Player of the Year, DJ Burns Jr. He transferred last May to North Carolina State University.

However, the Eagles brought in three transfers -- including Harrison.

“It’s always unique to see how those guys mesh together,” Prosser said. “Unfortunately, some of those guys haven’t been on the floor as much as we would’ve liked, or they would’ve liked, but it’s a great group of kids that are going to be really good players in Winthrop uniforms.”

For the womens team, the impact of transfers is even more dramatic.

Four players joined the program from other schools.

And it has worked.

The team has more wins now than in each of their past two seasons.

Coach Semeka Randall Lay credits the players for building chemistry.

“It’s what the athletes have done behind the scenes,” Randall Lay said. “It’s the goals that they prepare for themselves, outside of the goals that we’ve given them as a coaching staff. But then, with their willingness to gel and accept players for who they are, and what they can bring to the team. Over the course of time, you’ll see different players step up and contribute in really big ways for us, so kudos to them for their effort, being resilient and allowing everyone to grow.”

Paige Powell joined the program after four years at UNC Wilmington. She has led Winthrop in points (12.4), rebounds (7.6) and blocks (1.1--third in the Big South).

She says building chemistry around the team was key.

“Definitely just off the court first,” the 6-foot-2 graduate forward. “And then trusting one another. Building that chemistry off the court creates that trust with your teammates and even with our coaches because I’m new.”

Randall Lay says coaches and programs are still adjusting to the transfer portal. Only time will tell how the portal will fit into the college sports environment.

“I don’t want to overreact to it, but I think it takes a lot of work,” Randall Lay said. “Obviously, you’re doing a lot of homework prior to having the athletes come, knowing what type of person you’re going to get and what type of player you’re going to get on a consistent basis. Sometimes, it’s good; sometimes, it’s a work in progress.”