• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Sunday, October 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

The transfer portal is here to stay

by Charles Hallman
April 8, 2021
43
SHARES
858
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Submitted photo Jamison Battle

The NCAA Transfer Portal was established in 2018 to simplify the process of switching schools. Once the player informs the school’s compliance office that he or she wants to transfer, their name goes into the portal and is available to all coaches.

Over 15,000 players entered the portal in 2018-19, the NCAA reported. It is not readily known how many are in it this year, but it seems that it is busting at the seams.

“I think the transfer portal is a little different for every person who is in there,” explained Terrell Battle, whose son Jamison Battle entered it after two seasons at George Washington. “A while ago when somebody wanted to transfer, it was a bad thing,” he continued. “This player [is] transferring because he didn’t get along with the coach [or is a] bad player [with a] bad attitude.

“But transferring these days is not about that. It’s about kids finding the right fit,” Terrell noted. “A lot of times the people are in the portal are good players, good students – they just want something different.”

Jamison Battle, a Minneapolis De La Salle graduate, last week agreed to sign with Minnesota, the first of three former transfer portal players who’ve signed with new Gopher Coach Ben Johnson.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“Minnesota felt like home,” 6’-3” guard E.J. Stephens told the MSR. He was all-Patriot League last season and now gets a fifth season of eligibility because the NCAA is giving an extra year to all college athletes who seek it due to the pandemic. “I love the vision Coach Johnson has for this program, and I want to be a part of it,” added Stephens.

Jamison, a 6’-7” forward, “likes Ben a lot. He developed a rapport with Ben back in high school,” said his father. “It’s exciting for him to come play for [Johnson].” Leaving the D.C.-based school wasn’t “because he was mad at the coach or not playing. It was finding the right fit for his game,” Terrell pointed out.

His son arranged Zoom meetings with coaches during the renewed recruiting of the now-former GW player, who averaged over 17 points a game last year. “[Jamison] owned the process.  It wasn’t a whole lot I had to do,” said Terrell. He and his wife “talked virtually every day about his thoughts and where he was. I feel good about him making the decision.”

Terrell said he and his family can see Jamison play more now that he’s home. “Selfishly as a dad, I get to see him at [home] games and see him every day. I’m excited for him to be part of the community.”

During his introductory press conference, Johnson reiterated that the transfer portal, like it or not, is part of college basketball. Since the season ended, the Gophers have seen six players enter it. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“The portal is not going anywhere,” predicted Terrell Battle. “The hard part is that so many are in the portal and there’s not enough places for them to go. It will be interesting to see how it evolves over time.

“It worked out for Jamison, and I’m excited about it,” he concluded.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Day 8 of the Chauvin trial: defense claims Floyd resisted by crying out, ‘I can’t breathe’

Next Post

Supporting BIPOC-owned businesses creates greater opportunity for all

Charles Hallman

Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

You Might Also Like

Welcome to the new wild west of sports
Sports

Welcome to the new wild west of sports

Honesty in coaching a must for Braker
Gophers/College

Honesty in coaching a must for Braker

For Gopher men’s hoops, ‘the sky is not falling’
Gophers/College

For Gopher men’s hoops, ‘the sky is not falling’

Diversity makes gains in hockey
Gophers/College

Diversity makes gains in hockey

Gopher hoops in crisis
Gophers/College

Gopher hoops in crisis

Whalen steps down as Minnesota women’s basketball coach
Gophers/College

Whalen steps down as Minnesota women’s basketball coach

Next Post
Comcast

Supporting BIPOC-owned businesses creates greater opportunity for all

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Dianne McIntrye Group In the Same Tongue

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: