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NCAA Basketball: Graduate transfer TJ Holyfield down to five schools

By Tristan Freeman

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: TJ Holyfield #22 of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks shoots against Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: TJ Holyfield #22 of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks shoots against Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks starts a fast break ahead of teammates Payton Pritchard #3 and Louis King #2 against the Washington Huskies during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks starts a fast break ahead of teammates Payton Pritchard #3 and Louis King #2 against the Washington Huskies during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Oregon Ducks

Dana Altman and the Ducks love to go after transfers to pair up with the top-100 high school recruits they get yearly. They’ll lose a couple of key big men in Paul White and Bol Bol and may lose 3/4 forward Louis King to the NBA with his name in the draft process. Oregon does have talent returning and coming in at the center position led by Kenny Wooten but also could use more veteran depth and reliable frontcourt play.

Pairing up Holyfield with Wooten upfront would make arguably the best defensive frontcourt in the country, so it makes sense why the coaching staff would go after him. His physical style also suits him well against Pac-12 big men that typically play more finesse. The former Lumberjack could get good minutes with the Ducks if he chooses to venture out west.

Unfortunately for Holyfield, it looks like Oregon has gotten another transfer forward for next season. Duquesne transfer Eric Williams Jr. elected to play for the Ducks after averaging 14.1 ppg and 8.2 ppg in the past two years. The 6’6 forward is a great athlete and scorer and will add needed offensive production for an Oregon team that has struggled in that department. In a way, it’s a better fit for the program and the roster.

It’s unknown how serious the Ducks were a contender but between King’s possible return and the addition of Williams Jr. has to make them a complete longshot to get Holyfield. Williams is “50/50” as to whether or not he’ll get to play in 2019-20 but regardless, Holyfield will most likely not head out west not knowing what his role would be.

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