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Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes has used an interesting transfer portal strategy this offseason
Steve Forbes has brought five transfers into Wake Forest this offseason, and four of these five fit in the same category. Tre’Von Spillers (13 ppg, 9 rpg), a junior transfer out of Appalachian State doesn’t fit the same category, as the other four, but is set to be a big piece of the frontcourt for Wake next season.
Now to the other four future Demon Deacons. Ty-Laur Johnson (9 ppg, 4 apg at Louisville), Davin Cosby Jr. (4 ppg, 1 apg at Alabama), Omaha Biliew (2 ppg, 1 rpg at Iowa State), and Churchill Abass (4 ppg, 4 rpg at DePaul) all fit in the same category, sophomores from power conference schools that felt underutilized in their freshman seasons at other schools.
Ty-Laur Johnson is probably the most exciting of the group and has a strong chance at being the starting point guard for the Demon Deacons this season. Johnson showed flashes of what he could be in the future throughout last season, specifically in a game vs Florida State in early February. Johnson went for 27 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds while shooting 60% in 38 minutes. This performance alone can give hope to Steve Forbes that Ty-Laur Johnson is one for the present and the future, as Hunter Sallis (18 ppg, 4 rpg) will play his final college season in 2024-25.
Cosby Jr., Biliew, and Abass will all be key pieces on the bench this season for Wake Forest, and all will be likely starters throughout their collegiate career. Biliew was a five-star prospect in the class of 2023, nationally ranked inside the top ten, but rarely saw the floor at Iowa State. His development will be something to watch as he fills in minutes behind Spillers and Efton Reid III (10 ppg, 8 rpg).
The strategy of taking underutilized and perhaps underperforming power conference freshmen is a unique one from Coach Forbes, but a strategy that could reap great rewards if the young men can live up to their potential. Wake Forest has veteran presence with Sallis, Reid III, Spillers, and Cameron Hildreth (14 ppg, 5 rpg) this season, another aspect that can perhaps help mold this group of sophomores for the future.
Other Things to Note:
- Oregon State commit and Toledo grad transfer Tyler Cochran (14 ppg, 6 rpg) re-opens his recruitment
- Kansas State transfer Arthur Kaluma (14 ppg, 7 rpg) will visit Texas next week
- NAIA transfer Anthony Roy (18 ppg, 5 rpg) commits to Green Bay