UNCW Basketball: FAU Owls' sophomore Jeantal Cylla will transfer to Seahawks

UNCW Basketball: FAU Owls’ sophomore Jeantal Cylla will transfer to Seahawks

Jan 9, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Marlon Hunter (3) fights for possession with Florida Atlantic Owls center Ronald Delph (33) and forward Jeantal Cylla (1) during the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won in overtime 86-82. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

UNC-Wilmington will bring in a top transfer in FAU’s Jeantal Cylla.

Last season, the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks were just one win away from a 30-win season, before falling short by merely five points to the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

While disappointing, the loss did not ruin the season for the Seahawks, who won both the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title as well as the CAA Tournament. UNCW is built for extended success in the CAA and look to be one of the next top mid-majors in the country year in and year out.

The dream of being a mid-major powerhouse starts with getting talented transfers, and the Seahawks received good news in that department, as they have acquired former Florida Atlantic Owl Jeantal Cylla.

FAU sophomore forward Jeantal Cylla told ESPN he will transfer to UNC Wilmington.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 29, 2017

Cylla, a 6’8, 210-pound sophomore forward from Lake Worth, Florida, will sit out a year but will bring a ton of potential talent with him to Wilmington. In his two previous seasons with FAU, Cylla averaged over 22 minutes per game, over three rebounds per game, and at least seven points per game.

Cylla took a step backward last season, but it’s hard to develop when a team is as bad as the Owls were. With just 10 wins on the season and six in Conference USA play, he saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on.

Next: Best available transfers for 2017-18

It might seem like a concern for UNCW fans that they aren’t getting a top transfer, but Seahawks’ fans should remember that Cylla scored 15 points in an FAU win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. This player is good, and he is just waiting for the right team on which to blossom.