Updated: Stats on Oklahoma State's Transfer Portal Additions
STILLWATER – Steve Lutz and Co. have added six players out of the transfer portal up to this point in the offseason. In addition to returning players, which include Bryce Thompson, Connor Dow and Jamyron Keller, and incoming freshman Jeremiah Johnson, Lutz has three roster spots left to fill.
Based on the size of the players currently signed to the roster, you can expect at least a few of the remaining spots to go to big forwards and centers.
So, we’ll be sure and update this stat list once more players announce their commitments, but here’s the comparison of the stats between the five former players who have entered the portal, versus the seven players who have already signed out of the portal.
2023-24 | Points (per game) | Rebounds (per game) | Assists (total) | Steals (total) | Turnovers (total) | Blocks (total) |
Incoming (6) | 63.2 | 32.8 | 456 | 271 | 341 | 83 |
Outgoing (5) | 41.9 | 27.0 | 295 | 119 | 256 | 73 |
Let’s take a look at what each of the five new signees bring to the table, starting with the earliest commit, junior point guard Arturo Dean.
Dean takes the spot of former OSU point guard, who’s now committed to West Virginia, Javon Small. Dean checks in at 5-11, 163 pounds and is coming off a rather impressive sophomore season at Florida International. He posted 13.4 points on 42% shooting from the floor, while recorded 5.1 rebounds per game, 124 assists and an NCAA-leading 104 steals. He did, however, recorded 114 turnovers, 17 more than Small had last season.
Based on the number of turnovers Western Kentucky has last season, you can rest easy know ball handling will be drilled relentlessly over the next six months. But Dean’s assists and scoring would’ve been second on OSU’s stat sheet last season, his rebounds would’ve been third and he had 70 more steals than the leader last season for the Pokes. So, Lutz has added a talented and experienced point guard who knows how to distribute the ball, has the ability to score well at a high clip and is solid on the defensive end of the court.
Junior forward Robert Jennings II
Jennings checks in at 6-7, 230 pounds and comes in having played a significant number of minutes this past season for Texas Tech in the five spot. His numbers weren’t great, just 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, but due to quite a few injuries last season, was forced to play a role that is vastly different than where he should’ve been playing, which was the four. He’s a physical player who shots the ball well from the field and the free throw line and isn’t afraid to bang around down low. I expect Jennings to flourish in Lutz’s system, as well as playing in a much more appropriate position.
Senior forward Marchelus Avery
Avery checks in at 6-7, 210 pounds and is coming off a senior season with UCF this past season. He averaged 7.6 points on nearly 40% shooting from the floor, 4.0 rebounds with 23 assists, 22 steals and eight blocks. He spent the prior two seasons at New Mexico State, where he played for current OSU associate head coach, James Miller. So, the familiarity with Avery is there. He should have just one year of eligibility remaining.
Senior guard Davonte ‘Devo’ Davis
This is a name Oklahoma State fans have known for close to six years as Devo originally committed to Mike Boynton and the Pokes back in 2018, before flipping to Arkansas in 2019. He was an SEC All-Defensive team selection following his junior season, which fits right into Lutz’s schemes of playing tough defense. His numbers were down this past season as a senior as he posted just under six points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
However, he posted 11 points and 4.4 rebounds as a junior. Devo is a tough and gritty guard who should make an immediate impact for the Pokes.
Senior guard Brandon Newman
Newman played for Lutz this past season at Western Kentucky, where the 6-5, 200-pound guard posted 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Prior to his lone season with the Hilltoppers, Newman spent four seasons at Purdue, where Lutz was an assistant. He also posted 55 assists, 44 steals and nine blocks. He did, however, place second on the stat sheet in turnovers with 58.
Senior center Abou Ousmane
Ousmane is the latest transfer to commit and sign with the Cowboys, the decision coming a few weeks after he was on campus for an official visit. During his lone season at Xavier, Ousmane averaged 6.7 points on nearly 47% shooting from the field, along with bring down 6.4 boards per game an 42 blocks on the season. His 6-10, 244-pound frame makes him the starting center next season by default, as he’s the only true center currently on the roster. But he brings size, strength, physicality and experience to the post position for Lutz, qualities this team is in desperate need of right now.
Senior guard Khalil Brantley
Brantley transfers in from La Salle, where he spent the last three seasons. This past season as a junior, Brantley was great as he averaged 15.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. So, that’s the production lost from last year’s point guard, Javon Small, who transferred to WVU. Brantely also recorded an impressive 137 assists to just 74 turnovers, just over four assists per game. Those numbers are up from his sophomore season where he averaged 14.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while recorded 132 assists and 86 turnovers. While the turnovers will need to come down a bit, having a point guard who scores 15 points a game and dishes out more than four assists per game is exactly what you’re looking for.