WKU loses two players to transfer portal

BOWLING GREEN (KT) - Not only are the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers losing players to eligibility running out, but also to the transfer portal.

Sherman Brashear, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard from Dallas and junior Isaiah Cozart, a 6-7 junior from Richmond, have entered the transfer portal the last few days, according the NCAA Transfer Portal.

They join Josh Anderson, Jaylen Butz and Camron Justice as departures from a team that went 19-13 and lost in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

Brashear started three games and played in 23 games overall, averaging 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 10.1 minutes a game. Cozart appeared in 18 games with no starts and averaged 1.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 5.9 minutes per game.

The Hilltoppers primarily went with a six-player rotation over the last 10 games or so.

They could return redshirt senior guard Luke Frampton and senior forward Jairus Hamilton, who each have one more year of college eligibility remaining.

Frampton averaged 8.8 points a game and was second on the team in made 3-pointers with 66 after starting in all 31 games he played in. Hamilton averaged 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. He started 26 of the 29 games he played in.

Two expected returning starters are sophomore guard Dayvion McKnight and junior center Jamarion Sharp.

JUSTICE TO PLAY IN 3x3 IN NEW ORLEANS

The players will represent all 32 Division I conferences and compete for their share of $150,000 - one of the largest prize purses at any FIBA 3x3 sanctioned events - by teaming up with other aspiring pro prospects from around the country, according to a news release.

Each conference will be paired with another, forming 16 four-man rosters that will be separated into four pools. Justice is one of four players that will be part of the American/C-USA Team.

Justice averaged 14.7 points per game last season and made 76 3-pointers across the season, which ranks in the top 10 in WKU single-season history.

SHARP DEFENSIVE POY FINALIST

Sharp has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 Lefty Driesell Award designated by CollegeInsider.com.

The award is presented annually to the top defensive player in Division I men's basketball and named in honor of the legendary former coach Driesell who won 786 games in 41 years coaching.

Sharp was named to the 30-player list by CollegeInsider.com as he finished the season leading the nation in blocked shots per game at 4.62. He also finished second in total blocks across all Division I with 148 total, bested only by Auburn's Walker Kessler who had 155.