PITTSBURGH – Tuesday’s news and notes involve a new home for a Louisville transfer forward, another Georgia Tech player entering the portal, Dereck Lively declaring for the draft, and notes on a Virginia and Miami transfer.
Louisville Transfer Kamari Lands Commits to Arizona State
Former Louisville forward Kamari Lands has found a new destination after entering the transfer portal. Lands committed to Arizona State Tuesday, according to Joe Tipton of On3sports. A 6-foot-8 freshman this past season, Lands started six of the 32 games he appeared in. He averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 21 minutes of action, shooting under 33% from the floor. Lands shot 32% from behind the arc and recorded 19 steals in his lone season as a Cardinal.
Originally from Indianapolis but finished his high school career in Arizona, Lands made 27 total triples and converted at a respectable 87.5% at the line. He ranked as the No. 39 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class while averaging 33.4 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior at Hillcrest Prep. Louisville concluded its worst season in program history at 4-28 overall.
Georgia Tech Forward Jordan Meka Enters Portal
One day after three players hit the portal, another Yellow Jacket is looking to find sweetness in a different location. Verbal commits announced that Georgia Tech forward Jordan Meka entered the portal, creating another void in the program’s roster under first-year head coach Damon Stoudamire. A 6-foot-8 junior from Yaounde, Cameroon, Meka started four of 26 games played for Georgia Tech in three seasons.
He only logged 52 minutes in Josh Pastner’s final year commanding the bench, scoring four total points. In 248 career minutes, 187 during his sophomore campaign, Meka scored 15 points and grabbed 60 rebounds, 20 on the offensive glass. Georgia Tech fired Pastner following a 15-18 season (6-14 ACC) and turn to Stoudamire for a new era in Atlanta.
Duke Star Dereck Lively Enters 2023 NBA Draft
One of the biggest names in college basketball has made his decision on returning to college ball or turning pro. Duke freshman center Dereck Lively announced Tuesday that he is entering the 2023 NBA Draft. The 7-foot Lively was regarded as the No. 1 recruit out of high school, attending Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year was named to the All ACC-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team, posting 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 34 games (27 starts). He shot 65.8% from the field and recorded five double-doubles, including both of Duke’s NCAA Tournament games. Lively dominated Pitt on March 9 during the ACC Tournament, tying a career-best 13 points and grabbing four rebounds. He scored six points in 12 minutes off the bench during their first matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Jan. 11.
Virginia Transfer Kadin Shedrick Receiving Interest From Duke
Needing to replace Lively’s presence in the paint, Duke has reached out to Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick, according to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein. A 6-foot-11 redshirt junior forward, Shedrick started 15 of the 30 games he played for Tony Bennett. He averaged 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 64.7% from the field.
Shedrick played 76 total games for Virginia (34 starts), pacing at 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds. He compiled 47 steals and 114 blocks, including five blocks against North Carolina on March 9. Shedrick scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in Virginia’s early-season loss to Pitt inside the Petersen Events Center, ultimately finishing 15-5 in the conference but fell to Furman in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Miami Center Favour Aire Enters Transfer Portal
Miami center Favour Aire is transferring from the team following the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance, Verbal Commits announced. The 6-foot-11 big from Ekpoma, Nigeria, attended high school in Maryland and committed to the Hurricanes as a four-star prospect (No. 61 overall nationally). Aire played in 37 total minutes for Jim Larrañaga spanning 14 games. He scored nine total points, six against Louisville on Dec. 4, and grabbed both four offensive and defensive rebounds during his lone season.
