Many players currently in the transfer portal with no eligibility are hoping to get either a waiver from the NCAA or a sympathetic judge to get another year. One who most recently got an extra year via medical hardship was Devan Cambridge, a 6’6 "forward who has already spent six years in college basketball.
Cambridge spent his first three years at Auburn, starting 33 total games. At Arizona State, the forward posted career-highs of 9.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg on 50% shooting from the field. He’s been at Texas Tech for the last two years, playing just 14 games due to lower-leg injuries. But even with the past health issues, high-major teams are still looking for more frontcourt depth.
There are three reported teams in the mix that will land Cambridge. Here’s a closer look at how he’d fit with each option.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State lost its entire frontcourt from this past season, with Wichita State center Quincy Ballard and former K-State forward Achor Achor being the lone proven D-1 players on the roster. Cambridge and Achor would be a solid versatile frontcourt duo who can play at the high-major level, though the size issues could show up in the SEC.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes bring back starting small forward Devin Royal, but lost their other bigs on the roster to the transfer portal. They did bring in three transfer forwards, including Christoph Tilly (Santa Clara), Brandon Noel (Wright State), and Josh Ojianwuna (Baylor), who reportedly may not be cleared to start next season. Cambridge could arguably be insurance in case Ojianwua isn’t able to go.
Pittsburgh Panthers
A year ago, the Panthers had one of the tallest frontcourts in the ACC, with Cam Corhen and the Diaz-Graham brothers. This time around, they’re aiming for one of the more physical frontcourts, landing former ISU center Dischon Jackson and South Alabama transfer, Barry Dunning. Cambridge likely would start at the four-spot for the Panthers and give them another needed scoring option.
UCF Knights
UCF has already landed 10 transfers this offseason in a complete roster overhaul. That includes wings Kris Parker, Jordan Burks, and former Milwaukee forward Jamichael Stillwell. Throughout the roster, there’s a lack of high-level scorers, and while Cambridge wouldn’t solve that issue, he’d at least be another capable rotation piece in what would be a team effort on offense.