In the past few years, the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Saint Mary’s Gaels haven’t been the only teams that have made news nationally out of the WCC. Thanks to some quality transfers, a few others have gotten themselves into the top-50 range and even onto the bubble of the NCAA Tournament.
Once again, the other teams in the WCC have landed some key pieces from the portal this offseason. Here are three early winners to watch to this point.
Oregon State Beavers
Key incoming transfers
- Dez White - 14 ppg and 2.5 apg at Missouri State
- Jorge Diaz-Graham - 3.1 ppg and 0.9 rpg at Pittsburgh
- Stephen Olowoniyi - 13.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg at Southern Indiana
Oregon State had one of the best frontcourts in the WCC last season in Michael Rataj and Parsa Fallah. The hope is that the new duo of Diaz-Graham, who shot 48% from three-point range on 42 attempts, and Olowoniyi can be just as effective. Replacing Damarco Minor as the lead guard is White, a proven scorer and shooter from the MVC. It’s a solid group that can be very potent on the offensive end.
San Diego Toreros
- Toneari Lane - 13.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg at Georgia State
- Juan Sebastian Gorosito - 8.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg at Ball State
- Dominique Ford - 14.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg at Southern Utah
After finishing last in the WCC, the Toreros have landed some capable veterans to stabilize the backcourt. Lane and Ford are capable double-digit scorers, while Gorosito is a former WCC player (Portland) who is a good shooter. This group should make them more competitive, at least on the offensive end.
San Francisco Dons
- Vukasin Masic - 10.5 ppg and 3.3 apg at Portland
- Mookie Cook - 1.1 ppg and 0.5 rpg at Oregon
- Guillermo Diaz-Graham - 6.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg at Pittsburgh
The Dons have emerged as a consistent top-4 team and have the roster to stay there. Masic is a proven WCC contributor, while Diaz-Graham is a stretch forward who started the past two years in the ACC. Cook, a former 5-star prospect, is the ultimate x-factor. If he breaks out into an all-league player, San Fran will again be a major threat to the top teams.