The landscape of Arizona State men’s basketball is undergoing a rapid transformation as the program enters a critical roster reconstruction phase. With the men’s college basketball transfer portal officially opening this past Tuesday, the Sun Devils are navigating a high-stakes window of activity that allows players to enter the portal through April 21.
For new head coach Randy Bennett, the timing is pivotal. After spending 25 years building a powerhouse at Saint Mary’s, Bennett arrives in Tempe tasked with stabilizing a roster in flux. The focus has shifted immediately to staff assembly and strategic recruiting, as the program seeks to replace departing talent and establish a new identity following the conclusion of Bobby Hurley’s 11-year tenure.
The movement of ASU basketball players in the transfer portal represents more than just a change in personnel. it is the first tangible step in Bennett’s effort to reshape the team’s culture. While several players have already departed, the coaching staff is simultaneously scouting potential additions who fit the specific tactical requirements of Bennett’s system.
To manage this transition, Bennett has quickly filled key roles on his bench. Former Cal Baptist head coach Rick Croy and former Saint Mary’s associate coach Joe Rahon have been officially named to the staff. David Patrick, an Australian coach who spent the last two seasons as an associate coach at LSU, is joining the staff. Both Croy and Patrick will serve as associate head coaches, providing a blend of regional ties and high-major experience to assist in navigating the portal.
Building the New Foundation
Bennett’s staff is already seeing early dividends in recruitment. In a significant early move, the program flipped the commitment of JRob Croy—son of associate head coach Rick Croy—shifting his commitment from Saint Mary’s to ASU. According to 247 Sports, JRob Croy is ranked as the No. 124 player in the 2026 class, marking a promising long-term addition to the pipeline.
Beyond high school recruiting, the staff is expected to leverage existing relationships to identify immediate help. Observers are closely watching players from Saint Mary’s who have entered the portal, including All-WCC selections Mikey Lewis and Paulius Murauskas, as well as all-freshman honoree Dillan Shaw. The familiarity with Bennett’s demanding system makes these players natural targets for a program needing a quick turnaround.
Another name of interest is Bradey Henige, a 7-footer and Glendale Cactus High School product. Henige served as the starting center for the final 13 games of the season at Cal Baptist under Rick Croy and is currently testing the portal, potentially offering the Sun Devils a local huge man with a direct connection to the new coaching staff.
Analyzing the Roster Exodus
While the search for new talent is underway, the departure of players from Bobby Hurley’s final roster has already begun. The exits range from rotational contributors to highly touted recruits who were sidelined by injury. The loss of depth in the guard and forward positions creates a clear roadmap of the needs Bennett must address before the season begins.
The most significant recent departure is combo guard Noah Meeusen, who entered the portal on April 7. Meeusen was a vital piece of the rotation, averaging 5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over 30 contests. His defensive impact was particularly notable, leading the team with 1.4 steals per game and earning eight consecutive starts to close the season.
The program also lost depth in the frontcourt with the departure of Kash Polk on April 2. The 6-foot-10 freshman, ranked No. 304 in the 2025 class by 247 Sports, spent most of the season medically redshirting, appearing in only six games for a total of three minutes. His exit removes a promising amount of defensive length from the roster.
Injuries have also played a role in the roster churn. Adante’ Holiman, who was a leading scorer in the Sun Belt during the 2024-25 season with 16.9 points per game, entered the portal on March 30. Holiman had medically redshirted at ASU due to a preseason elbow injury, meaning he leaves without having played a minute for the Sun Devils. Similarly, forward Marcus Adams Jr. Departed on March 19 after a back injury curtailed a promising bench run that included an 11-point performance against Oklahoma.
| Player | Position | Portal Entry Date | Key Stat/Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Meeusen | G | April 7 | 1.4 spg (Team High) |
| Kash Polk | F | April 2 | 6’10” / Med. Redshirt |
| Adante’ Holiman | G | March 30 | 16.9 ppg (Sun Belt ’25) |
| Marcus Adams Jr. | F | March 19 | 14 games played |
The Remaining Uncertainties
Despite the flurry of activity, several key pieces of the puzzle remain unsolved. The status of impact players Massamba Diop and Santiago Trouet is currently unknown, as neither has yet indicated their intentions regarding the transfer portal. Their decisions will largely dictate how aggressively Bennett pursues high-level transfers in the coming weeks.
The current window for players to enter the portal remains open until April 21, meaning the roster could shift further before the deadline. For the Sun Devils, the goal is to balance the immediate need for veteran leadership with the long-term goal of recruiting a core that can sustain success in the conference.
The next critical checkpoint for the program will be the conclusion of the portal entry window on April 21, followed by the official announcement of any new commitments as the staff finalizes the roster for the upcoming season.
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