2024 Offseason

No surprise, UP guard Drew Stack is in the portal.

https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/yuto-yamanouchi-williams

Barely a cup of coffee on the Bluff?

up7587 wrote:Thomas Oosterbroek is also in the portal, per Verbal Commits.

We've known for some time that Thomas would not be back, but it's disappointing that Yuto, who was playing with an injury from 22-23 that progressively worsened, is not coming back to UP.

He was a "steal" when he came from Lamar as UP's first pickup in the portal last spring, and is destined to get even better going forward.

Vucinic leaving, too.

Cyp Hyde, too.

brooke_PPFan@proton.me wrote:Vucinic leaving, too.

Tells me he wants to head down to California, "or someplace warm."

Hopes to transfer his UP credits and finish out his time in America by "graduating from college."

Does not care if it's a D1 or D2 school but would like to get more playing time.

Who knows?  He may end up at the University of North Dakota.  

brooke_PPFan@proton.me wrote:Cyp Hyde, too.

Wants to be closer to home in California and get lots of playing time.

Really likes the UP staff but not the PNW weather and lack of playing time.

Considering D2 and NAIA.

Bryce Zephir, a former North Texas and current Salt Lake Community College point guard has committed to Montana State University.

Why am I bringing this up?

Because he was offered a scholarship to play at UP but was reportedly demanding 33-minutes of playing time per game and at least $40,000 in NIL money per year for his two remaining years of eligibility.

Apparently, MSU can not only afford the $$$, but Zephir is guaranteed the minutes because he is currently the ONLY point guard on the team besides a kid out of high school who has also committed to play in Bozeman.

Reminds of me of this tweet I saw trending recently.

Spent a little time on campus this morning and heard that Juanse Gorosito is looking for some NIL money.  

And, in order to find out just how much he might be able to get, Juanse is considering the portal.

Apparently, T-Rob has told him he's in the right place in Legan's scheme of things and would not fit as well elsewhere but....

So, if you or your business would like to step-up in some way, now would be the right time to do it.

https://www.backthebluff.com/join

We need at least one more Big besides Bol.

DoubleDipper wrote:Spent a little time on campus this morning and heard that Juanse Gorosito is looking for some NIL money.  

And, in order to find out just how much he might be able to get, Juanse is considering the portal.

Apparently, T-Rob has told him he's in the right place in Legan's scheme of things and would not fit as well elsewhere but....

So, if you or your business would like to step-up in some way, now would be the right time to do it.

https://www.backthebluff.com/join

That was quick.

https://twitter.com/ThePortalReport/status/1770883542047653999

Sound Voltex wrote:That was quick.

https://twitter.com/ThePortalReport/status/1770883542047653999

It turns out that for Juanse it's not all about the NIL, but also about his playing time as he sees new guys coming in and PG Vince Delano coming off his redshirt year.

Juanse is a VERY competitive guy, but like most young people he wants reassurances that he'll get plenty of court time, and we have to recall that at the beginning of the season he was not a starter as bigger and stronger players were getting the playing time.  It was in Hawaii that he finally found his stroke and more playing time when UP's two grad transfers left the team.

I would imagine the door will remain open for now for his return, but prior to UP he had offers from a number of schools to include USD, WSU, and Southern Utah.

Love Gorosito’s game. Really hope he stays. But with NIL and players demanding certain number of minutes it’s not the college game anymore that I loved. Probably take season tickets next year anyway but I don’t love the sport like I used to

Snus Junction wrote:Love Gorosito’s game. Really hope he stays. But with NIL and players demanding certain number of minutes it’s not the college game anymore that I loved. Probably take season tickets next year anyway but I don’t love the sport like I used to

I don't know of anyone over the age of 30 who is happy with the game we once loved so much.

It's still exciting and a pleasure to support the players, but the sense of loyalty/team over oneself has disappeared with many of the young players.  As fans we wish each transferring player the best but wonder if that player is getting the best advice or guidance.

To me, this is especially true of someone like Juanse who always gave everything on the court and who showed his frustration, emotion, and intensity which made him a fan favorite.  It is difficult to say who he is listening to outside of UP, but from my discussions with a couple of his teammates I am told he is torn about leaving but has been advised by someone from outside (probably a "manager" of some sort) that he "can do better elsewhere."

The "game" has become a business, and I am glad when young men and women can better themselves financially, academically, and on the court, field, or pitch, but it sure leaves the loyal fans with a sense of disloyalty by the players.

It’s not a problem…he just receives it when he’s home in Argentina during their winter, our summer.

DoubleDipper wrote:The "game" has become a business, and I am glad when young men and women can better themselves financially, academically, and on the court, field, or pitch, but it sure leaves the loyal fans with a sense of disloyalty by the players.

On "senior night" this year Chris Austin was going to be honored along with Tyler Robinson, but being the great guy and great teammate he is, he asked that Tyler alone take all the bows and be honored for being the team leader during his time on The Bluff.

Now, in a VERY loyal move, Chris has decided to return for one more year at UP despite having already earned a bachelor's degree and receiving a master's degree from UP six weeks from now.

Chris graduated from high school in 2018 and played three years at Fordham, but due to an injury his freshman year he was given a "medical redshirt" year after just nine games. After transferring Chris played the 21-22 season at UP, but of course was injured in a postseason game and sat out the 22-23 season before returning to the lineup this past season.

So, with two medical redshirts and an added covid year, Chris, who will be 24 years-old next month, will add some needed maturity to a very young team and will complete his college playing career at Portland seven years after graduating from high school.