With the transfer portal closed, it’s time to look at who left VCU amid the coaching change from Ryan Odom to Phil Martelli Jr.
After Odom joined Virginia as its new coach, six VCU players entered the transfer portal. Martelli did a great job retaining some key players from the portal but didn’t keep them all.
Left in portal
Luke Bamgboye, Texas Tech
Six-foot-10 sophomore forward Luke Bamgboye entered the transfer portal shortly after Odom left VCU.
Bamgboye announced after a few weeks his commitment to Big 12 powerhouse Texas Tech, a team that lost to eventual champion Florida in the Elite Eight. He is a high-level rim protector, finishing in the top 20 in the nation in blocks per game.
Bamgboye showed flashes of offensive talent throughout his freshman season, most notably against Dayton, where he scored 17 points on 88% shooting. He finished his freshman season on the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams and will look to continue his success as a Red Raider.
Martin Carrere, UVA
Redshirt freshman forward Martin Carrere is the only player to follow Odom from VCU to Virginia.
Carrere is a 6-foot-8 lengthy wing with buckets of potential. Although he did not play for the Rams in his freshman season, he has experience from playing with the French National Team at the U18 EuroBasket Tournament in the summer of 2024.
Prior to that, Carrere also played in the Betclic Elite U21 league, where he averaged 8.6 points per game on 39% shooting from 3. He gives Virginia size and scoring ability. Expect to see flashes of him throughout the season.
Alphonzo “Fats” Billups III, Longwood
Redshirt junior guard/forward Fats Billups joined Longwood in the portal after three seasons at VCU.
Billups is a 6-foot-7 wing known for his scoring ability. After playing in 27 games in 2023-24, Billups played increasingly less in his redshirt sophomore season, only appearing in 23 games for seven minutes a game.
Billups’ top moment at VCU was a 23-point explosion against Penn State in 2023-24, where he shot 90% from the field and 83% from 3 to lead the Rams past the Nittany Lions.
The Lancers are starting a new era under 32-year-old coach Ronnie Thomas after Griff Aldrich joined Odom’s staff at UVA. Billups is a good addition for the rebuilding Lancers.
Familiar Faces Returning
Brandon Jennings
Sophomore guard Brandon Jennings returned to VCU amid interest from ACC schools like Boston College and Virginia.
Jennings was primarily a role player last season, using his 6-foot-4 build to be a scrappy defender and pester ball handlers whenever he touched the court. He averaged 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 13 minutes a game while shooting 39% from 3 last season.
Jennings has showcased his offensive ability in big games, scoring 12 points off the bench against St. Bonaventure in the A-10 Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
He is a great player to retain for the Rams under Martelli and is primed for a breakout sophomore season.
Micheal Belle
Six-foot-8 junior guard and forward Michael Belle announced his intention to stay at VCU after originally entering the portal.
Belle is a versatile defender who can guard almost every position on the court. He has shown potential to be an elite rebounder, with 10 rebounds against St. Bonaventure in the conference tournament quarterfinals and some similar totals throughout last season.
In nearly 13 minutes a game, Belle averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds last season. Belle has shown his ability before and will likely be a key piece for VCU under Martelli.
Undecided
Obinnaya “Obi” Okafor
While he remains on VCU’s roster, 6-foot-9 redshirt junior forward Obi Okafor has yet to make any official decision after entering the transfer portal.
Okafor is a former walk-on who scored his first points for VCU last season after being injured in previous seasons.
Okafor played in only 14 games, averaging around a minute of action and less than one point per game. While he barely played, Okafor is a fan favorite for VCU because of his resilience as a walk-on and his battle back from numerous injuries.
Okafor is likely searching for a program where he can get consistent minutes, but a small possibility of his return still remains as the offseason continues.
