UAlbany men’s basketball team adapts smoothly to changes

“A⁣ couple of years ​back, the idea‍ of paying student-athletes ‌and dealing with​ all the associated⁢ complexities⁢ would ‍have seemed far-fetched,” remarked Dwayne Killings, the head coach of UAlbany men’s basketball ⁤team,​ on Tuesday at⁣ Broadview Center.‍ The team had just concluded their‌ second ‌day of ‍preseason practice. “However, that’s the⁤ current state of affairs in this industry.​ Our routine now‌ includes basketball practice, culture meetings, ⁣discussions about expanding the [NIL] collective,⁣ and fundraising for the program. This⁣ is the new normal in college basketball.”

The NCAA’s transfer portal, which sees a whirlwind of activity every offseason, ⁤along with the opportunity for players to monetize their name, image, and likeness,⁤ has led to significant roster changes becoming an ​annual event in college‍ basketball.

UAlbany and Coach Killings are well-acquainted ⁣with this​ offseason shuffle. The Great Danes are set to kick off their 2024-25 season on ⁣November 4 ‌at Army West ‍Point, featuring nine new scholarship ⁣players and only five returning from the previous season’s team ⁣that posted​ a 13-19 record.

Notable departures include top scorer​ Sebastian ‍Thomas and leading‌ rebounder Jonathan Beagle. However, guard Amar’e Marshall, who‍ averaged 16.7 points per game last season, has ​decided to⁣ stay despite exploring transfer options.

“It was a⁢ decision that required a lot of thought,”‍ Marshall admitted. ​“I had⁤ to consider what was best for‌ my future, and‍ I believe I made the⁢ right ⁤choice.”

UAlbany’s top three returning players are all dealing with various injuries‍ as practice begins. Marshall was seen with a brace on his right wrist‌ on⁤ Tuesday,⁣ but Killings is ‍optimistic about his‌ return to⁢ the team by next week. Senior‍ forward Aaron Reddish is​ recovering from ⁤a back injury, while​ redshirt junior‌ forward Justin Neely recently injured his shin in a ⁣collision with another player and is‍ expected‍ to be fully active ⁢by next‌ week.

For Neely,⁣ who has only played 64 minutes over⁣ eight games in the⁤ past two seasons⁣ and is nearly two years post-ACL tear, the 2024-25 ‍season is eagerly awaited.

“I’m itching to get back,” Neely expressed. “It’s been two years since I felt ⁣this good. I’m excited to return and eager to start winning games.”

The only other ⁣returning ⁢players on UAlbany’s roster are guard Zane Adnan, who⁣ saw 48 minutes of play over 17 games last season, and ⁢walk-on guard Zach Matulu.

Therefore, much attention will be on the new recruits that Killings​ has‌ brought in through the ⁤transfer ⁣portal. This ⁤includes dynamic‌ 6-foot-4⁣ senior guard⁣ DeMarr Langford (Central Florida), 6-foot-8 senior forward Kacper Klaczek (Saint Joseph’s),‌ and 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Sultan Adewale ‍(Iona).

Langford, in particular, is expected to make a significant impact right away.

“DeMarr is ⁤a standout player,” ⁣Killings noted. “He’s an exceptional athlete, very‍ consistent, and tough. ‌He can⁤ guard any position, play any position, and he knows what ‍it takes to win.”

Adewale, originally from London, England, and ⁤a high school basketball player in Philadelphia, is ‍expected to immediately contribute to the Great Danes,‍ particularly in the post —⁢ an area where the team ⁤struggled last season, especially on defense.

Since joining‍ UAlbany, Adewale⁣ has felt an instant connection with his new team.

“The remarkable⁤ thing about ⁣this team is how quickly we all ‌clicked,” he shared. “It was almost eerie. ⁢It felt like I’d known them⁣ for years.”

For ⁢Marshall, adapting to these changes is part and parcel‍ of the game.

“Every year,⁣ it feels​ like‍ I’m part of a new team. It’s quite surreal,” Marshall‍ said. “But the guys have‍ been fantastic. It ​already feels like ‌a family.”