SEC Roster Reshuffle: The Current State of Every Team in the Conference’s Lineup — Part 2

Ole Miss has only two players returning from 2024-25, but a talented freshman class and some key additions from the portal have restocked the roster. South Carolina has just three returning players, but signed some key transfers, including guard Meechie Johnson, who played for the Gamecocks in 2023-24, left for Ohio State last season, and will close out his career in Columbia.

Vanderbilt returns just three players from its first NCAA Tournament team since 2019, but seven transfers will give coach Mark Byington another experienced roster.

SEC Roster Reshuffle takes stock of each team’s departures, additions and returnees and what impact the new additions could have on the Conference and the men’s basketball season. 

If you’re looking for the latest roster moves for Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU and Mississippi State, check out Part 1 of our SEC Reshuffle.

PART ONE OF THE SEC ROSTER RESHUFFLE

PART 1 OF 2: After a record-breaking 2024-25 season, are the SEC coaches ready for an encore? Breaking down one-half of the conference’s rosters.

MISSOURI

Departures: Peyton Marshall, 7-foot freshman (Georgia Tech); Josh Gray, 7-foot senior (Graduated); Marcus Allen, 6-foot-7 forward (Miami); Aidan Shaw, 6-foot-9 forward (Boston College); Tony Perkins, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Caleb Grill, 6-foot-3 senior guard (Graduated); Marques Warrick, 6-foot-3 senior guard (Graduated); Tamar Bates, 6-foot-5 senior guard (Graduated); Danny Stephens, 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman forward (Western Illinois); JV Brown, 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman guard (Westmont).

Returnees: Anthony Robinson II, 6-foot-3 junior; T.O. Barrett, 6-foot-4 sophomore; Annor Boateng, 6-foot-6 sophomore; Trent Burns, 7-foot-5 redshirt freshman; Trent Pierce, 6-foot-10 junior forward; Mark Mitchell, 6-foot-9 senior forward; Jacob Crews, 6-foot-8 graduate guard.

Incoming: Shawn Phillips, Jr., 7-foot senior (Arizona State); Sebastian Mack, 6-foot-3 junior guard (UCLA); Luke Northweather, 6-foot-11 junior forward (Oklahoma); Jevon Porter, 6-foot-11 senior forward (Loyola Marymount); Nicholas Randall, 6-foot-7 freshman guard; Aaron Rowe, 6-foot freshman guard; Jayden Stone, 6-foot-4 senior guard (West Virginia).

Skinny: Compared to his first two years at Missouri, this transfer portal season must have seemed like a breeze to coach Dennis Gates. The Tigers had a sizable—for the portal era, at least—contingent of returning players (seven) and had already signed two freshmen last November. The Tigers were looking for size in the portal and found it; they signed three players 6-foot-11 or taller. The haul includes Phillips, who has already logged time in the SEC (2022-23 at LSU); another member of the Porter clan—Jevon Porter, brother of 2018 NBA Draft pick Michael Porter, Jr., will become the fifth sibling out of eight to play at Mizzou—and another SEC crossover, former Oklahoma reserve Northweather. Porter put up some solid numbers at LMU, averaging 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks. Another promising addition comes from UCLA; last season, Mack averaged 9.6 points in a reserve role.

OKLAHOMA

Departures: Jeremiah Fears, 6-foot-4 freshman guard (NBA Draft); Jalon Moore, 6-foot-7 senior forward (Graduated); Sam Goodwin, 6-foot-10 senior forward (Graduated); Kobe Elvis, 6-foot-1 senior guard (Graduated); Brycen Goodine, 6-foot-5 senior guard (Graduated); Duke Miles, 6-foot-2 senior guard (Vanderbilt); Yaya Keita, 6-foot-9 senior forward (Albany); Jacolb Fredson-Cole, 6-foot-7 sophomore forward (McNeese State); Reid Lovelace, 5-foot-11 junior guard (Transfer portal); Glenn Taylor, Jr., 6-foot-6 senior forward (Graduated).

Returnees: Dayton Forsythe, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard; Jeff Nwanko, 6-foot-6 senior forward; Mohamed Wague, 6-foot-10 graduate center; Jadon Jones, 6-foot-5 graduate guard; Kuol Atak, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward.

Incoming: Kai Rogers, 6-foot-10 freshman center; Alec Blair, 6-foot-6 freshman forward; Andreas Hoist, 6-foot-11 freshman center; Jake Hansen, 6-foot-1 freshman guard; Tae Davis, 6-foot-8 senior forward (Notre Dame); Nijel Pack, 6-foot senior guard (Miami); Xzayvier Brown, 6-foot-2 junior guard (Saint Joseph’s); Derrion Reid, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (Alabama).

Skinny: Oklahoma’s first season in the rugged SEC resulted in a trip to the NCAA Tournament, but the nucleus of that team is gone. Coach Porter Moser and his staff were able to retain five players, added a freshman class rated No. 40 by the 247Sports Composite, and then filled in some gaps with transfers, notably fifth-year senior Pack, who’s averaged 14.3 points and shot 40.3 percent from three in his career that dates back to 2020; Davis, who last season averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds for Notre Dame; and Brown, who earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2024-25 after averaging 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 steals and shooting a solid 35 percent from three.

OLE MISS

Departures: Ja’Von Benson, 6-foot-7 senior forward (Graduated); Robert Cowherd, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, (Transfer portal); John Bol, 7-foot-2 freshman center (UCF); TJ Caldwell, 6-foot-4 junior guard (Arkansas State); Sean Pedulla, 6-foot-1 senior guard (Graduated); Jaemyn Brakefield, 6-foot-8 senior forward (Graduated); Jaylen Murray, 5-foot-11 senior guard (Graduated); Davon Barnes, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Matthew Murrell 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Dre Davis, 6-foot-6 senior guard (Graduated).

Returnees: Malik Dia, 6-foot-9 senior center; Eduardo Klafke, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard.

Incoming: AJ Storr, 6-foot-7 senior guard (Kansas); Koren Johnson, 6-foot-2 senior guard (Louisville); Corey Chest, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (LSU); Tylis Jordan, 6-foot-9 freshman forward; Patton Perkins, 6-foot-4 freshman guard ; Augusto Cassia, 6-foot-9 junior forward (Butler); Travis Perry, 6-foot-1 sophomore guard (Kentucky); Ilias Kamardine, 6-foot-4 freshman guard; James Scott, 6-foot-11 junior center (Louisville); Niko Bundalo, 6-foot-10 freshman forward.

Skinny: With just two players returning, Ole Miss had some work to do to fill out the roster. Some of the rebuilding was done in advance; the Rebels signed two consensus four-star players—Jordan and Pinkins—last November. In the portal, coach Chris Beard and his staff needed replacements for the team’s top three scorers: Pedulla Brakefield and Murrell. Storr, who had a disappointing season at Kansas after transferring from Wisconsin, will fill one of those holes if he returns to his sophomore season form. Johnson was limited to just two games at Louisville last season, but in 2023-24 at Washington he averaged 11.1 points and shot 37.3 percent from three. Ole Miss hopes Perry, who set a career prep state scoring record in Kentucky (5,481 points) before playing a season with the Wildcats, is the shooter and high IQ-type Pedulla was. In late May, Beard and his staff beat out Kentucky for Bundalo, who was rated as high as No. 31 in the class of 2025 by one service that collates the major recruiting rankings.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Departures: Zachary Davis, 6-foot-7 junior guard (Memphis: Nick Pringle, 6-foot-10 graduate forward (Arkansas); Arden Conyers, 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman guard (Charlotte); Austin Herro, 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman guard (St. Thomas); Jamarii Thomas, 5-foot-11 senior guard (Transfer portal); Morris Ugusuk, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard (West Virginia), Okku Federiko, 6-foot-8 freshman forward (Drake). Colin Murray-Boyles, 6-foot-8 sophomore (NBA Draft); Jacobi Wright, 6-foot-2 senior guard (Graduated); Arden Conyers, 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman forward (Charlotte).

Returnees: Cam Scott, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard; Jordan Butler, 7-foot sophomore center; Myles Stute 6-foot-6 senior guard.

Incoming: Nordin Kapic, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (UC San Diego): Mike Sharavjamts, 6-foot-8 senior guard (Utah); Elijah Strong, 6-foot-8 junior forward (Boston College); Kobe Knox, 6-foot-4 senior guard (USF); Meechie Johnson, 6-foot-2 senior guard (Ohio State); Christ Essandoko, 7-foot junior center (Providence); Eli Ellis 6-foot-1 freshman guard); Grant Polk, 6-foot-7 freshman guard; EJ Walker 6-foot-8 freshman forward; Hayden Assemian 6-foot-8 freshman forward; Abu Yarmah, 6-foot-7 freshman forward; Ezequias Walker, 6-foot-6 freshman forward.

Skinny: The Gamecocks were as busy as any team in March and April and came away with one of the portal season’s more compelling transfer stories. After starring for a 26-8 South Carolina team in 2023-24, guard Meechie Johnson abruptly transferred to Ohio State. But after one season with the Buckeyes, Johnson returned to Columbia, apparently undeterred by the Gamecocks’ 12-20 record and 16^th place (last) finish in the SEC. “In this day and age, you can’t burn bridges,” Paris told the media in early May. “You never know when it may come back around again.” Johnson was one of six transfers signed by Paris and his staff. Another portal acquisition Paris hopes makes an impact is Sharavjamts, who has earned some frequent flyer miles during his pilgrimage of a college career. South Carolina is his fourth school in as many years. He’d be a great stretch four if he shot 36 percent from behind the arc, like he did in his sophomore season at San Francisco.

TENNESSEE

Departures: Darlinstone Dubar, 6-foot-6 senior guard (Graduated); Jordan Gainey, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Chaz Lanier, 6-foot-5 senior guard (Graduated); Jahmai Mashack, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated): Igor Milicic, 6-foot-10 senior forward (Graduated); Zakai Zeigler 5-foot-9 senior guard (Graduated).

Returnees: Bishop Boswell, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard; J.P. Estrella, 6-foot-11 sophomore forward; Felix Okpara, 6-foot-11 senior forward; Cade Phillips, 6-foot-9 junior forward.

Incoming: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, 6-foot-1 senior guard (Maryland); Jaylen Carey, 6-foot-8 junior forward (Vanderbilt); Amaree Abram, 6-foot-4 senior (Louisiana Tech); DeWayne Brown II, 6-foot-9 freshman forward; Amari Evans, 6-foot-5 freshman guard; Troy Henderson, 6-foot-1 freshman guard; Nate Ament, 6-foot-10 freshman guard; Clarence Massamba, 6-foot-6 freshman guard.

Skinny: In about six weeks, the Vols did a masterful job rebuilding their threadbare backcourt. Coupled with a big, physical and experienced frontcourt, five-star freshman Nate Ament, senior Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Clarence Massamba, a native of France who played high school ball at The Rock in Gainesville, Fla., will give coach Rick Barnes as much firepower as he’s had in his 11 seasons in Knoxville. An underrated pickup was guard Amaree Abram, who began his career at Ole Miss and has also played for Georgia Tech, and last season, Louisiana Tech. Barnes wanted to find one last piece, preferably an older guard who can shoot. Abram can shoot, but he can also play the point and prides himself on being a lockdown defender.

TEXAS

Departures: Tre Johnson, 6-foot-6 freshman guard (NBA Draft); Arthur Kaluma, 6-foot-7 senior forward (Graduated); Jayson Kent, 6-foot-8 senior (Graduated); Julian Larry, 6-foot-3 senior (Graduated); Ze’Rik Onyema, 6-foot-9 senior (Graduated); Malik Presley, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard (George Mason); Devon Pryor, 6-foot-7 sophomore forward (Oregon); Jamie Vinson, 6-foot-11 freshman forward (Texas A&M); Kadin Shedrick, 6-foot-11 senior (Graduated).

Returnees: Nic Codie, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward; Tramon Mark, 6-foot-5 graduate guard; Jordan Pope, 6-foot-2 senior guard; Chendall Weaver, 6-foot-3 senior guard.

Incoming: Camden Heide, 6-foot-7 junior forward (Purdue); Dailyn Swain, 6-foot-8 junior forward (Xavier); Lassina Traore, 6-foot-10 senior center (Xavier); Matas Vokietaitis, 7-foot sophomore center, (FAU); Simeon Wilcher, 6-foot-4 junior guard (St. John’s). John Clark, 6-foot-9 freshman center.

Skinny: Sean Miller’s first job after taking over as Texas coach was to keep a good backcourt intact. Once Mark, Pope and Weaver decided to return, Miller reached out to two players from Xavier, his former school—Swain (11 points, 5 rebounds per game) and Traore. Miller never got to coach Traore in a game. After transferring from Long Beach State in 2023, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in an October practice. As a junior at Long Beach, Traore led the Big West Conference and was 12^th in the nation in rebounding (10.3) and racked up 15 double-doubles. Next Miller and his staff went for experienced players used to winning. Seven of the eight Longhorns in the likely rotation have played in and won NCAA Tournament games. That includes former Purdue sharpshooter Heide, who shot 39.2 percent from three last season, and Wilcher, who started 25 games for Big East champion St. John’s. Texas also grabbed the American Athletic Conference freshman of the year in Vokietaitis, who has extensive international experience.

Sean Miller Is Ready To Write A New Chapter At Texas

Miller has been through lots of ups and downs in his coaching career. He hopes to reach new heights with the Longhorns.

TEXAS A&M

Departures: Henry Coleman III, 6-foot-8 senior (Graduated); Andersson Garcia, 6-foot-7 senior forward (Graduated); Hayden Hefner, 6-6 senior guard (Graduated); Manny Obaseki, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated). Andre Mills, 6-foot-4 freshman (Maryland); Pharrel Payne, 6-foot-9 junior (Maryland); Zhuric Phelps, 6-foot-4 senior (Transfer Portal); George Turkson, Jr. 6-foot-7 freshman (Maryland); Solomon Washington, 6-foot-7 junior (Maryland); Wade Taylor IV, 6-foot-2 senior guard (Graduated).

Returnees: Chris McDermott, 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman forward.

Incoming: Zach Clemence, 6-foot-10 junior (Kansas); Marcus Hill 6-foot-4 junior (NC State); Josh Holloway, 6-foot-2 junior, (Samford); Jacari Lane, 6-foot-0 senior (North Alabama); Mackenzie Mgbako, 6-foot-8 junior (Indiana); Jamie Vinson, 6-foot-1 redshirt freshman (Texas); Fede Federiko, 6-foot-11 senior center (Texas Tech); Rylan Griffin, 6-foot-6 senior forward (Kansas); Jeremiah Green, 6-foot-2 freshman guard; Rashaun Agee, 6-foot-7 senior forward (USC); Pop Isaacs, 6-foot-2 junior guard (Houston).

Skinny: New A&M coach Bucky McMillan had a difficult task when he left Samford and took over for Buzz Williams, inheriting just one returning player in the process. Kansas provided two replacements, Clemence and Griffin, and Texas A&M found other former P4 players who should fit into his fast-paced style, including Hill, Mgbako, Vinson, and Federiko. McMillan brought Holloway with him from Samford and took another mid-major player in Lane who averaged 17.3 points and shot 40.6 percent from three last season. The A&M staff scored one late-May find in Agee—who last season at USC shot 55.0 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from 3 while averaging 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds—and another when Isaacs flipped from Houston after the Cougars’ starting point guard, Milos Uzan, withdrew from the NBA Draft. Isaacs played his first two seasons at Texas Tech before transferring to Creighton last season. An injury limited him to eight games. In his last full season, at Texas Tech in 2022-23, he averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 boards and 3.9 assists.

VANDERBILT

Departures: Karris Bilal, 6-foot-2 freshman guard (Louisiana); Jaylen Carey, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (Tennessee); MJ Collins, 6-foot-4 junior guard (Utah State); Jason Edwards, 6-foot junior guard (Providence); Alex Hemenway, 6-foot-4 graduate guard (Evansville); JaQualon Roberts, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (Davidson); Jordan Williams, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard (Transfer portal); AJ Hoggard, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Chris Manon, 6-foot-6 senior forward (Graduated); Grant Huffman, 6-foot-4 senior guard (Graduated); Kijani Wright, 6-foot-9 junior forward (Medical issue).

Returnees: Devin McGlockton, 6-foot-7 senior forward; Tyler Nickel, 6-foot-7 senior forward; Tyler Tanner, 6-foot sophomore guard.

Incoming: Frankie Collins 6-foot-2 senior guard (TCU); Mike James 6-foot-5 senior guard, (NC State); AK Okereke, 6-foot-7 junior forward (Cornell); Mason Nicholson 6-foot-10 senior center (Jacksonville State); Jalen Washington, 6-foot-10 senior center (North Carolina); Jaylon Dean-Vines, 6-foot-4 freshman; Jayden Leverett, 6-foot-11 freshman; Chandler Bing, 6-foot-6 freshman forward; Tyler Harris, 6-foot-8 junior (Washington); Duke Miles, 6-foot-2 freshman guard (Oklahoma).

Skinny: Duke Miles finally found a home. That’s the biggest storyline in Vanderbilt’s solid portal haul. In the span of two months, Miles was on the roster at Oklahoma, transferred to Virginia, got out of that commitment, signed with Texas A&M, and then reneged on that deal, too. Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington and his staff desperately needed guards, so Miles finally found the right fit. He’s not a scorer like Edwards, but he’s a good shooter, a solid defender, and can play the one or the two. The Commodores didn’t have much size last season and sought to correct that with Nicholson, Washington and Harris, who last season shot a blistering 49.5 percent from three and blocked 32 shots.