BY: CARSON HAYEK; SPORTS EDITOR
Photo Courtesy of gobonnies.com
On March 24, the NCAA men’s basketball transfer portal opened. According to the New York Times, over 1,000 basketball players have entered the NCAA transfer portal.
As for St. Bonaventure, the Bonnies’ entire 2024-25 scholarship roster with eligibility remaining has decided on its future. Two players have declared they will be returning next fall, and nine players have entered the transfer portal.
Staying:
Dasonte Bowen (guard)
Bonaventure will have junior guard Dasonte Bowen returning next season. Bowen started the first 10 games of the season, where he recorded over 11 points per game and over four assists per game. The Massachusetts native suffered a season-ending foot injury following a win over the University at Buffalo on Dec. 7.
Xander Wedlow (forward)
Freshman forward Xander Wedlow announced that he will be returning to Bonaventure for his sophomore season. In 27 games, Wedlow averaged over six minutes per game and recorded a career-high 10 points in six minutes against Fordham on Feb. 1. Wedlow missed the last five games of the season dealing with a knee injury.
Entering the portal:
Melvin Council Jr. (guard)
Following the Bonnies’ NIT loss to Kent State, it appeared senior guard and team captain Melvin Council Jr. planned on returning to Bonaventure.
“I want to talk to with my mom and my dad,” said Council Jr. “I do feel like the best thing is to come back and play another year at Bonaventure.”
However, on March 28, Council announced that he is entering the transfer portal. The Rochester, N.Y. native recorded over 14 points per contest and averaged over two steals per outing.
According to a March 28 press release from St. Bonaventure men’s basketball, a return for Council isn’t out of the question.
“St. Bonaventure guard Melvin Council Jr. will enter the transfer portal to explore his options elsewhere but will remain in conversations with us about a possible return.”
Chance Moore (guard)
Senior guard Chance Moore was the first Bonnie to announce he was entering the portal. Moore averaged 13 points a game and nearly seven rebounds per contest. The former Arkansas Razorback has exhausted all of his eligibility and is currently appealing to the NCAA for another year of eligibility.
Lajae Jones (guard)
The 6-foot-7-inch junior guard averaged over 10 points per outing and five rebounds per game. The 22-year-old recorded 20+ points in three contests during the season and led the Bonnies in 3-point percentage (38.9%). On March 31, Jones committed to Florida State.
Jonah Hinton (guard)
The redshirt sophomore averaged over eight points per contest and started 24 games for the Bonnies. The Chicago, Ill native recorded a career high in points (19) against Richmond on Jan. 15.
Noah Bolanga (guard)
Bolanga, a 22-year-old freshman, joined the Bonnies after playing in the French ProB League from 2022-2024.. In 15 appearances for Bonaventure, the Poitiers, France native averaged almost 14 minutes per game and recorded a career-high 14 points against George Washington University on Feb. 9.
Jaxon Edwards (guard)
The junior guard from Indianapolis,Ind, appeared in five games for the Bonnies before getting injured in late November. Edwards planned on redshirting the season due to a groin injury.
Miles Rose (guard)
The sophomore from Rochester, New York, appeared in 15 games for the Bonnies throughout the last two seasons. Rose recorded a career high in points (five) against Mansfield on Nov. 20.
Michael Folarin (center)
The 6-foot-11-inch center from London, England, appeared in 10 outings for the Bonnies, shooting 53% from the field. Folarin enters the portal, looking to join his fourth college.
Ebrahim Kaba (guard/forward)
The 6-9 freshman from East Orange, N.J., did not appear in any games for Bonaventure and redshirted. Kaba’s lone Bonaventure appearance came in a Oct. 30 exhibition game against Alfred, which saw him go scoreless in five minutes of play.
As of Thursday, April 3, there has been no official decision regarding redshirt freshman forward Duane Thompson. With nine Bonnies entering the portal, Bonaventure has two active scholarship players from the 2024 roster returning for next fall. The transfer portal will close on April 22.
