Wichita State point guard Craig Porter enters name into NCAA transfer portal
Wichita State’s Craig Porter Jr. will be looking for a new home next season.
The 6-foot-2 junior point guard entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday morning, The Eagle has learned. It was first reported by Verbal Commits.
Porter, a Terre Haute, Indiana native, started two games this past season for the Shockers men’s basketball team and played in 19 total, averaging 2.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 12.9 minutes. Since this season does not count against Porter’s eligibility, he will remain a junior for the 2021-22 season.
He is the second scholarship player and third WSU player to enter the transfer portal since the conclusion of WSU’s 16-6 season that ended with an American Athletic Conference championship and an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. Junior point guard Trevin Wade and junior walk-on Remy Robert are the other two currently in the portal.
Transfers are expected to be at an all-time high this offseason with players anticipating the NCAA to pass a ruling that would allow first-time transfers immediate eligibility at their new school. According to Verbal Commits, more than 850 players had already entered their name into the portal on Thursday afternoon.
Porter figured to play an expanded role for the Shockers next season, especially if senior point guard Alterique Gilbert departs to begin a professional career. But he will look for a fresh start after his brief WSU career was hamstrung by dealing with COVID-19 protocol early in the season and then nagging injuries throughout.
Coming out of Vincennes University, where he was a starter on the team’s 2019 championship squad, Porter was regarded as one of the country’s top junior-college prospects. He was a defensive standout and averaged 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists as a sophomore.
While Porter searches for a new home, a fourth scholarship opens for WSU in its 2021 recruiting class. If Gilbert and fellow senior Trey Wade decide to return, they will not count against WSU’s scholarship count, although it would likely influence WSU’s recruiting this spring. Neither player has publicly indicated their decision yet, while sources tell The Eagle that they will take their time and explore their options.
This story was originally published March 25, 2021 at 12:11 PM.
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