Predicting Texas basketball’s first transfer addition of the summer

With most of the attention at this point of the offseason turning to the recruiting trail for both the Texas basketball and football programs, there aren’t many headlines surrounding the NCAA Transfer Portal at the moment. But there could still be some work to be done for Texas head coach Chris Beard and his staff heading into the summer months during the college hoops offseason.

Beard and the Longhorns have added two portal players so far this offseason. The most recent addition by way of the transfer portal was also the biggest of the two in the reigning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and former Iowa State Cyclones stud freshman guard Tyrese Hunter.

Adding Hunter was huge for Beard and the Longhorns to get this starting five a major upgrade ahead of next season. He’ll be an immediate boost in the starting backcourt unit.

Texas is also getting a nice depth boost in the backcourt/wing rotation with their other portal addition in the former three-time All-WAC New Mexico State Aggies senior shooting guard Jabari Rice. But the addition of Rice won’t compare to the impact that Hunter will make for this team right away next season.

Moreover, some particular areas where the Longhorns could use some additional depth are in the frontcourt unit and the wing rotation. Texas could use a true starting center that is an effective rim protector and dominant interior rebounder. A legitimate backup wing shooter could also help bolster the rotation by way of the portal this offseason.

Who could be the first addition for Texas basketball out of the portal this summer?

With this in mind, here’s a look at a prediction of who the first transfer addition for the Longhorns could be this summer.

Keyontae Johnson, SF

Among the most recognizable names remaining in the transfer portal at this point of the offseason is the former Florida Gators blue-chip recruit and redshirt junior wing/forward Keyontae Johnson. After spending four years with the Gators through quite a bit of turbulent times, Johnson put his name in the transfer portal roughly one month ago looking to find his next destination.

Johnson hasn’t played much, though, since he collapsed in a game early on during the 2020-21 season. He wasn’t cleared by the University of Florida to play at all really last season. There was a bit of ceremonious start for him against the Kentucky Wildcats last season, but he was only on the court for a few seconds of live game action.

Yet, it appears that Johnson is still trying to make his way back to prominence at the collegiate level before he tries to take his talents to the NBA. If Johnson is able to return to any version close to his former self before the issues he started experiencing a couple of seasons ago, then this would be a tremendous value addition for the Longhorns.

Beard and his staff have shown interest in touted high school prospects in the past that he feels the Longhorns can get the most out of (i.e. Dylan Disu). If Johnson checks out via evaluation with this coaching staff, this could be a realistic and valuable addition out of the portal for Texas ahead of next season.