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Darian DeVries looks to engineer a quick rebuild in Morgantown after success at Drake

It was only a matter of time before now-former Drake head coach Darian DeVries landed a high major position, and it finally happened this offseason, with DeVries and his son headed to Morgantown. DeVries took over Drake in 2018 and had a tenure as elite as any, with six 20+ win seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a first round loss to Washington State this March.

Darian DeVries’ son, Tucker DeVries, has been a huge part of Drake’s recent success, including averages of 21.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 3.7 apg this past season as a junior. As any great son would do, Tucker followed his father to his new school, and instantly becomes West Virginia’s number one option and one of the best players in the Big 12. Tucker is just one of the many transfers in a very underrated class put together by Darian DeVries. The other star and presumed leader of this team will be Javon Small, a veteran point guard from Oklahoma State, who averaged 15.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 4.1 apg this past season. Other notable names including 21 ppg scorer Jayden Stone from Detroit Mercy, Joseph Yesufu, who rejoins DeVries after stints at Kansas and Washington State after a successful freshman year at Drake, Toby Okani (11 ppg, 7 rpg), one of the best defenders in the Missouri Valley last season with UIC, and a duo of former Fighting Illini, Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry.

There has been little talk about West Virginia this offseason, and I think this team is built to surprise some people. We all saw the fall off that the program had this past season under Josh Eilert after the Bob Huggins saga last offseason, but in the current age of the transfer portal, rebuilds can happen in only a season or two. To reach the tournament again, I think it may take West Virginia a second season, but that’s not to say I don’t think this team won’t be in the hunt late in the season.

The Mountaineers have a true #1 option in Tucker DeVries, an experienced point guard in Javon Small, and have a slew of defensive options on all areas of the floor, including Joseph Yesufu, Toby Okani, and Eduardo Andre. Jayden Stone will be a microwave scorer off the bench, and Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry will continue to grow in their sophomore seasons. This team should make at least the NIT and has upside for a bubbly NCAA Tournament appearance under the leadership of Darian DeVries and the ability of his son Tucker DeVries.

Other Things to Note:

• UConn head coach Danny Hurley will make a decision on his future on Monday, deciding between staying in Storrs or leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Washington transfer Noah Williams (9 ppg, 3 rpg in 2023) commits to James Madison
• Arizona State transfer Zane Meeks (11 ppg, 5 rpg at San Francisco in 2023) commits to Wichita State