Former Stanford starting point guard Michael O’Connell has some interesting options in the NCAA Basketball portal. Which of them is the better option?
Due to their importance, there are many NCAA Basketball programs that need point guards. Those with past experience as a starter are even more valuable. And few left in the transfer portal have as much as Micheal O’Connell, who started 76 games in three years at Stanford at around 25 mpg.
The 6’2 guard has a career average of 6.3 ppg and 3.2 apg with a nearly 2/1 assist-to-turnover ratio. O’Connell is a career 40% shooter from the field and 30% from three-point range and isn’t a big offensive threat. But he’s a serviceable ball-handler for a team that could use one.
Stanford transfer Michael O’Connell updates TPR on his recruitment:
— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) May 11, 2023
-Took a visit to Wichita State last weekend.
-Will visit NC State this weekend.
-Could also visit Notre Dame later in the month. pic.twitter.com/psssOI80c2
And it looks like there are three programs in the mix. Between Notre Dame, NC State, and Wichita State, which makes the most sense? Here’s a closer look at each option.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack has been busy in the transfer portal, having already landed five players. Three of them are perimeter players in off-guards, Jayden Taylor and DJ Horne. While they do bring back Casey Morsell, none of the key guards on the roster are true point guards and not having one will hurt the offense.
Yet NC State probably won’t be able to land someone looking for a big usage rate due to who’s already on board. That’s why O’Connell would be a perfect fit for the team and the team would allow the player to have the best chance yet of making the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
New head coach Micah Shrewsberry has a completely new roster at Notre Dame to build up, which does provide a chance for O’Connell to have his largest role yet as an NCAA Basketball player. They have a few incoming freshmen ball-handlers but none with experience like the transfer in question.
The problem is that unless there are several more pickups, the Irish could very well be the worst team in the ACC next season. And after a few losing years at Stanford, is O’Connell willing to risk an even worse year somewhere else?
Wichita State Shockers
The Shockers have landed four transfers so far this offseason, including one ball-handler. Bijan Cortes averaged just a couple of points in two years at Oklahoma and isn’t a proven NCAA Basketball player. O’Connell would be an upgrade over him on paper and gives the program needed depth on this overhauled roster.
Wichita State is the middle option because they offer a large role than NC State but have a better chance to win next season than Notre Dame. So in a way, that could give them a leg-up in this recruitment. But if the opportunity to go dancing is most important, the Wolfpack should feel good.