Nevada hired former UCLA coach Steve Alford to replace Eric Musselman just in time for him to discover five players have entered the NCAA transfer portal over the last 48 hours.
Yes, basically a complete lineup has at least given themselves the option to jump ship. All have said in reports by NevadaSportsNet.com they are still keeping the Wolf Pack in mind, but they are keeping their options open.
Jazz Johnson, a guard who could be looking at his third team in five years, started things by entering his name Wednesday evening.
Johnson was the fourth-leading scorer on the team last year with 11 points a game.
Johnson had shoulder surgery on his shooting shoulder earlier this month, was a 48.7% shooter from the field, including 45.2% on 157 3-point attempts and was that league’s top six man.
Johnson told Nevada Sports Net on Wednesday that it’s
“It’s only natural to see what my options are after a coaching change,” he told NevadaSportsNet.com on Wednesday. “It doesn’t mean I am leaving.”
The others who are leaving:
• Jordan Brown, the first McDonald’s All-American to play at Nevada (3 points, 2.1 rebounds as a freshman).
• Redshirt junior guard Jalen Harris (yes, a Nevada player with the same name as a Razorback) sat out last year after transferring from Louisiana Tech where he averaged 15.3 points as a sophomore.
“Nevada is still my priority and I fully intend to meet with the new coach before making any decisions,” according to NevadaSportsNet.com before Thursday afternoon’s announcement of Alford.
• K.J. Hymes, who redshirted last season as a freshman, entered the portal, according to ESPN.com.
• Nisre Zouzoua, who played sparingly in his one season at Nevada, will explore a graduate transfer, according to ESPN.
