Texas Basketball: Chris Beard going after touted Texas State transfer

Rapidly emerging as a top transfer target for the Texas basketball program and head coach Chris Beard early in the month of July, former Texas State Bobcats standout junior forward Isiah Small is coming to the forefront of late. A report from 247Sports on July 10 published the final five schools for Small at his next landing spot.

And Texas landed among the finalist schools to get a commitment from Small. The other four options reportedly included his original school Texas State, the Texas A&M Aggies, DePaul Blue Demons, and Texas Tech Red Raiders.

There’s no clear indication as of yet to see what the ultimate landing spot will be for Small. But there are many indicators that the decision is coming soon from this 6-foot-8 and 170-pound Jersey City, NJ, native will be deciding this week.

This report from 247Sports also noted that Small is likely to decide this week what his next landing spot will be, despite having an actual individual date set as of yet.

https://twitter.com/Isiahsmall_11/status/1413254102147084297

Some of what Small had to say about Texas were interesting, considering he still has them among his finalist schools. Apparently, Beard and the Longhorns would want to redshirt him in an ideal situation heading into next season were he to give his commitment to them.

Here’s some of what Small had to say about potentially landing with the Longhorns and the interest he has in this school.

"“They’re saying the same thing Tech was saying but in order for me to be at my peak I would have to redshirt. Honestly, to me I felt a little disrespected but obviously they have in-comers from all over the world that produced in the SEC, PAC-12, etc but my game is way different from them but it is what it is.”"

Small had a solid sophomore campaign with the Bobcats. In 25 games played with Texas State last season, Small averaged 10.9 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks. And he shot 53.9 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Texas was very busy in the transfer portal so far this offseason. But it appears that Beard and the Longhorns are not done as of yet getting help to round out this rotation out of the portal.

Beard and the Longhorns now have more than five additions to the rotation out of the transfer portal this offseason. The most recent one came in the form of the former UMass Minutemen star sophomore center Tre Mitchell.