Two freshman to transfer from University of Southern California

Harry · April 20, 2015

Editors note -- I have no idea on whether or not either of these two are in play... it would seem that Calvert would make the most sense being that she is from Texas. What got my attention was, Jalie has a strong connection with the head coach from USC Cynthia Cooper-Dyke as she was quoted in her hiring here. Anyhow, just a hunch but interesting nevertheless...

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Freshmen McKenzie Calvert and Amy Okonkwo have left the University of Southern California and will transfer to other schools, a spokesperson for USC has confirmed.

Calvert, a top recruit from Texas, averaged 10.2 points in 27 games this season – the third-highest on the team. Okonkwo also appeared in 27 games, averaging 3.3 points per contest.

The moves bring the list of departures to six for the year, and leaves six players on the Trojan roster following graduation next month.

Read more: http://www.fullcourt.com/ncaa/25332/two-freshman-transfer-university-southern-california

forevereagle · April 20, 2015

I don't know that we should trying to get too many transfers. Short of divine intervention, they will not be eligible to play next season, so getting too many transfers would not leave many spots for active players. Just my opinion, but you can't fill your roster with these types of recruits. It is just too much strain on the active players.

Mean Green 93-98 · April 20, 2015

I don't know that we should trying to get too many transfers. Short of divine intervention, they will not be eligible to play next season, so getting too many transfers would not leave many spots for active players. Just my opinion, but you can't fill your roster with these types of recruits. It is just too much strain on the active players.

With the current state of the roster, it wouldn't shock me if 2015-16 is a complete rebuilding* season.

* Read "throwaway"

Cooley · April 20, 2015

I normally don't catch many girls games but saw Calvert and Cibolo Steele against Cedar Hill; during a Christmas tournament in 2012. Went to see our highly touted recruit, Candice Adams, who was listed as a national 100 recruit. Calvert was very good but never saw a shot that she didn't like.

Jalie would have been at UT then and not with Cynthia Cooper. She originally committed to Baylor and was a top statewide recruit. Maybe Jalie and UT were also recruiting her.

forevereagle · April 20, 2015

With the current state of the roster, it wouldn't shock me if 2015-16 is a complete rebuilding* season.

* Read "throwaway"

Even so, is it fair to the current players to throw them out there for a season of playing more minutes than they need to, risking injury and just getting beat up, just so we can get several transfers in that may or may not actually make the team better? I am ok with getting a transfer or two in, but we shouldn't be filling the roster out with transfers at the cost of our currently available players.

Harry · April 21, 2015

Even so, is it fair to the current players to throw them out there for a season of playing more minutes than they need to, risking injury and just getting beat up, just so we can get several transfers in that may or may not actually make the team better? I am ok with getting a transfer or two in, but we shouldn't be filling the roster out with transfers at the cost of our currently available players.

It may not be fair but it is a reality as a mid major or more specifically C-USA. Look at La. Tech, they had the two key transfers, Sokol at QB and the beastly DLineman from Iowa. That changed their team...and led them to be the best in C-USA. Now they land Jeff Driscoll from Florida and plan on doing it again.

I don't want to see us become transfer U but damnit Coach Pete left us a $hit sandwich here. It's going to take some transfers to get this thing turned around and I don't expect Jalie wants to wait 4-5 years which she would have to if only going the high school route.

UNTFan23 · April 21, 2015

Especially in basketball but all it takes is one or two players and you can completely revamp your roster and turn things around.

GrandGreen · April 21, 2015

With the current state of the roster, it wouldn't shock me if 2015-16 is a complete rebuilding* season.

* Read "throwaway"

Jalie will have to perform miracles if next year team has double digit wins, this team is about as far down as possible.

Remember that girls get 15 ships, so there can be multiple ships used for ineligible transfers and still have enough players to be competitive. If I remember correctly, Petersen only had 12 scholarship players last year, which was difficult to understand.

forevereagle · April 21, 2015

It may not be fair but it is a reality as a mid major or more specifically C-USA. Look at La. Tech, they had the two key transfers, Sokol at QB and the beastly DLineman from Iowa. That changed their team...and led them to be the best in C-USA. Now they land Jeff Driscoll from Florida and plan on doing it again.
I don't want to see us become transfer U but damnit Coach Pete left us a $hit sandwich here. It's going to take some transfers to get this thing turned around and I don't expect Jalie wants to wait 4-5 years which she would have to if only going the high school route.

In football you have 85 scholarship players and 105 total, more than enough to shoulder the load of some transfers coming in. Basketball has far fewer scholarship and roster spots. 2-3 transfers in a single year is 20% of your roster. Once you only have 9-10 players available you have a larger load on those players and increase the risk of injury. I don't necessarily think that writing off the coming season is wrong given the state of the program right now, but to do so at the cost of the health of our current players is not something I am in favor of.

Edited April 21, 2015 by forevereagle