By ADAM ZAGORIA
In the wake of the news that Manhattan has parted ways with head coach Steve Masiello with two weeks to go before the start of the season, the school’s top player, Jose Perez, has entered the Transfer Portal, he told ZAGSBLOG.
The 6-foot-5 fifth-year senior and MAAC Preseason Player of the Year has already seen a slew of high-major programs reach out, including:
Oregon
Alabama
Memphis
Wake Forest
Kansas State
Mississippi State
West Virginia
Clemson
Nebraska
Rhode Island
UMass
San Diego
Western Kentucky
Nc state
Texas
Georgia tech
DePaul
Missouri
Louisville
Manhattan is Perez’s third school after previous stints at Gardner-Webb and Marquette. He started 29 games last season and played in all 30, averaging 18.9 ppg, 4.5 apg and 3.2 rpg. The Bronx native turned 24 this month.
It remains unclear when Perez would be eligible if he transfers, but he said he’s been led to believe he will be immediately eligible because the school just fired his coach.
One source familiar with the process said for any player it depends on a number of factors, including the player’s clock, the number of times they transferred, and their graduation status.
The NCAA in 2021 allowed players to become immediately eligible upon transferring without sitting out a year.
Perez, who has a very tight relationship with Masiello, told ZAGSBLOG he expects many other players to transfer out as well.
“I think all of them,” he said.
Via Tweet he said: “I wish this was just nightmare unbelievable decision by the school. Team is suffering more then anyone would ever know.”
RaShawn Stores, 30, was named interim head coach in the wake of Masiello’s departure. The Jaspers were picked second in the MAAC poll behind Iona.
This post was updated on Oct. 26.
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