With the NCAA transfer portal opening for men’s basketball just over a month ago, a lot has transpired in a short period of time. A great deal of activity has unfolded within the MAAC conference and the Marist men’s basketball program.
To start, four key Marist players have entered their names in the portal, putting stress on the coaching staff to bring in new players. This continuous cycle of player movement has impacted many mid-major schools across the country.
Sophomore center Max Allen II announced his departure from Poughkeepsie on April 3rd. The big man led the Red Foxes in scoring at 11.4 points per game on an efficient 52% shooting. Allen II scored in double figures in 16 of his 28 games as a dominant force in the paint.
His ability to manipulate defenses created offense for others, and he finished third on the team in assists. After transferring from San Jose State, Allen II earned All-MAAC second-team honors.
For now, this hole in the roster will likely be filled by junior forward Jackson Price, who averaged eight points in just 18 minutes per game. Price offers a different skill set because of his perimeter shooting, whereas Allen II is a back-to-the-basket threat in the paint.
Graduate student forward Javon Cooley entered the portal as a graduate transfer on March 19th. Since Cooley graduated from Marist in three years and his fourth year in the program was a graduate year, he can transfer to another school for one additional graduate season.
Cooley was a strong veteran presence on a young squad, and served as a model of consistency. His ultra-efficient three-point shooting (47%) and rebounding provided important contributions to this season that are hard to replicate.
In the MAAC Championship tournament, Cooley helped spark Marist’s comeback in the quarterfinal round against Niagara, then led the Red Foxes in scoring in their heart-breaking loss to Fairfield in the semi-finals.
A four-year player in this era of college basketball becomes rarer by the day, making Cooley’s dedication to the program stand out. He has garnered interest from several high-level schools, including Nevada, Belmont, Loyola Chicago and Hofstra.
Sophomore guard Isaiah Brickner burst on the scene in his freshman season, taking control of the point guard position by averaging 7.4 points per game, starting in 30 of 33 games and recording 87 total assists in 2022-23. His breakout performances in the MAAC Championships helped power the last-seeded Red Foxes to the MAAC Championship Game and earned him a spot on the MAAC All-Championship Team.
After being picked All-MAAC second team for the 2023-24 season, Brickner’s performance fell below expectations, as he did not regain the same level of play from his freshman year. This season, a back injury hindered his performance from the very first game; consequently, Brickner’s production dipped to averaging five points per game on 35% shooting from the field. The injury forced Brickner to miss games mid-season, and he started only four times while transitioning to a bench role.
Brickner contributed in other ways, recording the second most assists on the team and rebounds per game while acting as a 6’4’ ball handler. With his role having changed, Brickner enters the portal to seek a fresh start.
The fourth Red Fox to enter the portal is junior guard Noah Harris. After playing 29 minutes per game and starting all 33 games in 2022-23, the New Jersey native played off the bench this year, averaging just 15 minutes per game.
Freshman guard Jadin Collins attended the same high school as Harris, Rutgers Prep, and immediately took control of the point guard position. A shoulder injury in the back half of this season curtailed Harris’ minutes and production. Harris provided 3-point shooting, making 137 3-pointers over his three years in Poughkeepsie, while averaging 6.5 points across 1900 minutes.
In his freshman season, he knocked down 35% of his 3-pointers as the sixth man. Harris is the last of three recruits of the 2021 class, as Jao Ituka and Rollin Belton transferred during previous offseasons.
With the loss of Brickner and Harris to the portal and senior guard Kam Farris having run out of eligibility, there is a sizable hole in the roster at the guard position that will need addressing. Head coach John Dunne and his staff have already addressed this hole by securing two transfers for next season.
Caleb Mackrey, a 6’3’’ guard from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, FL, announced his commitment to Marist on March 10th. In his sophomore campaign, Mackrey averaged 16.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 23 games.
He is a former teammate of Fairfield guard Jasper Floyd, who transferred to Fairfield after two seasons at Hillsborough. Floyd finished this season first in the MAAC in steals and fourth in assists. Mackrey is athletic and can attack the rim, draw defenders and distribute to others.
Elijah Lewis, a 6’5’’ guard from Adelphi College, a Division II school in Garden City, NY, committed to Marist on April 2nd. Lewis played 31 minutes per game over two seasons and averaged 15.7 points.
He is a dynamic scorer off the wing with solid ball-handling skills and notable athleticism. Lewis shot 52% overall and 42% from behind the arc, offering extremely efficient scoring.
With just nine scholarship players on next year’s roster, the coaching staff still has work to do before the 2024-25 season. As a result, there are some players Marist is currently targeting in the transfer portal.
Keith Lamar, a 6’6’’ graduate student forward from Florida A&M, is a versatile wing who averaged 13.8 points per game this season while shooting 42% from 3-point range. Lamar broke out in his first year at Florida A&M after little playing time in two seasons at Stetson. He offers the ability to spot up from behind the arc but can also operate in the mid-post area with patient ball handling and strength.
Weighing 205 pounds, Lamar also contributes on the glass, averaging 5.3 rebounds per game for the Rattlers. A senior, Lamar is a perfect fit for the Red Foxes due to his experience and versatility. He has interest from several high-level mid-major schools including High Point, Appalachian State and Jacksonville.
With Marist losing three guards from the five that play significant minutes, Justus Jackson is someone who can provide ball handling off the bench. A 6’1’’ junior, Jackson averaged seven points and two assists per game in 18 minutes for UT Martin.
Jackson is a quick, shifty guard who can attack the rim off the dribble. He loves to attack in transition either with a pull-up 3-pointer or getting quick scores in the paint. Jackson drained 35% of his 3-point attempts this season, adding to his dynamic playmaking ability.
Jackson, who will be a senior, adds a veteran presence that would blend well with a young squad. Niagara is also interested in Jackson, in addition to other schools, including Oral Roberts and Northern Kentucky among others.
Forward Ismael Plet is a physical player who can set the tone with his athleticism on both ends of the floor as he recorded five double-doubles last season for Arkansas Pine-Bluff. The 6’8’’, 230-pound junior averaged 7.5 points in 31 games this season shooting 58% from the field.
With the loss of Allen II, Plet can fill the void and be a presence in the paint, but not necessarily the scorer that Allen II was. Plet is a strong rebounder, averaging 7.4 boards last season which is more than any Marist player.
With the summer still to come, expect more movement across the MAAC before next fall as several teams, including Marist, still have work to do to fill out their rosters.
Edited by Ben Leeds and Luke Sassa
Graphic and photos from Jaylen Rizzo
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