NCAA Basketball: 3x MAAC Defensive POY KC Ndefo enters transfer portal
By Shea Irish
With May 1st signifying the date that players are able to enter the transfer portal without having to receive a waiver to play next season, key contributors all around the country are being forced to make impactful decisions that will affect their future careers. With the deadline quickly approaching, a number of mid-major stars have placed their names into the extensive portal list within the past few days.
On Tuesday, the most accomplished player from Saint Peter’s Cinderella season announced he would be entering the transfer portal. Star forward KC Ndefo will join notable Peacocks including Doug Edert, Daryl Banks III, and the Drame twins among others who have gone portaling since the departure of Head Coach Shaheen Holloway.
Ndefo’s play down the stretch of the season was a crucial component to Saint Peter’s run as the first 15 seed ever to advance to the Elite Eight. Without his defensive presence, the road they took in defeating #2 Kentucky, #7 Murray State, and #3 Purdue would have been nearly impossible.
The 6’7″ Ndefo has also declared for the NBA draft, but he will maintain the one season of eligibility he has left. He will be an impactful addition to any team in the country next season, especially on the defensive end. Two seasons ago, he led the country with 3.6 blocks per game.
With the ability of players to use NIL to their advantage, we have seen guys that would have left for the NBA in recent years decide to return to school instead, including last season’s Naismith Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe. Ndefo should have the opportunity to capitalize on a nicely compensated deal if he returns, while ultimately improving his offensive game to raise his stock even higher for the 2023 NBA draft.