headtopics
The transfer portal has reshaped college basketball, and West Virginia has experienced significant roster churn over the past four years. The lack of stability at the head coaching position has led to several players entering and exiting the program quickly. This season, three former Mountaineers will compete against West Virginia.
Amani Hansberry
Hansberry appeared to be a foundational piece for the Mountaineers until Darian DeVries left for Indiana. With assistant coach Chester Frazier moving to Virginia Tech, Hansberry followed him to Blacksburg. Hansberry has a close relationship with Frazier, who recruited him to Illinois and then brought him to West Virginia.
Jonathan Powell
Powell started 23 games as a true freshman for the Mountaineers before entering the portal amid the DeVries departure. He transferred to North Carolina, where his playing time was cut in half, but he still shot an efficient 36% from three-point range. Now with West Virginia's biggest rival, Powell has no connection to the current roster or staff, but this game is surely circled on his calendar.
DJ Thomas
Thomas' departure surprised Mountaineer fans. Despite his strong freshman campaign, his exit was always a possibility, but his success made it unexpected. West Virginia is well-positioned at the four with Brenen Lorient returning for a fifth year and Javan Buchanan transferring in from Boise State. WVU and TCU do not have a home-and-home this year, so Thomas won't host his former team in his hometown, but he will travel to Morgantown.
Originally reported by headtopics.