Texas Basketball: 3 immediate stars to find in the transfer portal

Tre Mitchell, C

A big remaining position of need to solidify for Beard and the Longhorns is at the five. Texas lost a lot of key pieces from their frontcourt rotation this year and they haven’t restored it at the center position as of yet. Three of the bigs that got a lot of the minutes at the five last season; senior Royce Hamm Jr., senior Jericho Sims, and sophomore Kai Jones, all look to be gone heading into next season.

That’s why it could be so important for Beard and the Longhorns to get a commitment from the former UMass Minutemen standout sophomore big man Tre Mitchell. Texas does sit among the finalist schools for Mitchell. It is also key to watch the other finalist schools for Mitchell, including the Illinois Fighting Illini, LSU Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, and Bryant Bulldogs.

Mitchell could immediately fill the final large remaining void in the Longhorns starting unit. That is as long as Beard is comfortable with the group of point guards he has on hand at the moment. Among the new additions to the program this offseason, the only one that could start at the one is the former Kentucky Wildcats freshman guard Devin Askew.

Moreover, the two-time Atlantic-10 All-Conference Team selection and 2019-20 A-10 Newcomer of the Year Mitchell is one of the most highly sought-after players remaining available in the transfer portal at this moment. His commitment decision might not take too much longer to become public. Texas should be at or near the top of the list for his commitment.