Duquesne Basketball: Impact transfers will make Dukes a threat in 2021-22

Duquesne Basketball had to deal with a number of issues last season, many of which occurred off the court. They had injuries, players coming in and out, and overall finished 9-9 on the season, including 7-7 in Atlantic 10 play. What hurts for the program was that they had fairly high expectations, due to the key trio of seniors and talented point guard leading the team.

Now, the Dukes will have to operate without any of them. Sincere Carry, who led the team in assists the two previous years, left midway to go to Kent State. Forwards Michael Hughes and Marcus Weathers graduated and moved on, while guard Tavian Martin-Dunn transferred to Florida Gulf Coast. To add to the departures, freshman Chad Baker moved to San Diego State this offseason as well after a promising start to his college career.

That leaves not a single player on the roster left that averaged over 5.0 ppg, a potential recipe for disaster for a team having to rebuild in the A-10. However, head coach Keith Dambrot and company did an impressive job in the transfer portal to add solid talent this offseason. Four newcomers came from the portal and should have a role on the Dukes next season.

Rodney (RJ) Gunn Jr. – Lenoir-Rhyne University

The 6’7 forward was a star at the D-II level, averaging around 18 ppg in the last two seasons. While capable of scoring inside, Gunn also can stretch the floor as well, with a career shooting percentage of 38% from deep. He’ll be slotted to play at the power forward position and has the size and skill to have an impact next year.

Leon Ayers III – Mercer

The former JUCO (Henry Ford College) star was an impact player at Mercer last season, third on the team with 12.2 ppg off the bench. He made 39% of his three-point shots and is instant offense whenever on the court. At 6’6, Ayers capable of playing and guarding multiple positions on the court and in his lone year at the D-I level, proved to be extra efficient.

Kevin Easley, Jr. – TCU

He only averaged 4.5 ppg this past season at TCU in 20 mpg and 13 starts but ultimately struggled to find his footing. Duquesne will hope that Easley looks like he did as a freshman at Chattanooga, averaging 14.5 ppg and 6.7 rpg on 40% shooting from deep. The Atlantic 10 is a step up from the Southern Conference but not anywhere near the Big 12. The 6’7 combo forward should see his production get closer to double-digits.

Tre Williams – Indiana State

The 6’7 big man was a two-year starter with the Syramores, averaging 8.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Williams is a true post scorer and very good defender overall and adds frontcourt experience and defense to the Dukes lineup. The former All-MVC Defense big will likely start at center and they’re hoping he’ll be a good replacement for Hughes.

It wouldn’t be a complete shock if all four of these transfers ends up in the starting lineup, with Gunn and Williams being a good complementary duo. Easley can play the wing and Ayers is a great option at shooting guard.

The huge question that has yet to be answered is who’ll start at point guard. If either incoming freshmen Jackie Johnson or Amir ‘Primo’ Spears can come in and have a similar level of impact as Carry did years ago, the pieces can align for Duquesne Basketball to be a surprise team in the A-10 next season. No one is certainly expecting much from them but those teams coached by Dambrot tend to be the most dangerous.