5 Vanderbilt roster moves since Bryce Drew's hiring
New Vanderbilt men's basketball coach Bryce Drew did not intend to re-tool the roster, but it's changed since his arrival nonetheless.
The latest move came Friday when freshman forward Samir Sehic announced that he will transfer to Tulane. Here are five Vanderbilt roster moves that have occurred since Drew’s hiring in April.
Baldwin, Jones enter draft
All-SEC sophomore point guard Wade Baldwin announced he would enter the NBA draft just as news broke of Drew’s hiring on April 5. Nine days later, All-SEC junior center Damian Jones announced he would do likewise. Drew made a public plea for them to remain at Vanderbilt during his introductory press conference, but it didn’t change their minds. Both are projected as first-round draft picks. For all the excitement that Drew’s hiring has produced among the fan base, he must overcome a major hurdle on the court in replacing the pair’s combined 28 points per game.
Sehic transfers
The 6-foot-9 forward’s exit was a little surprising, especially because there should be more playing time after Jones’ departure. Sehic also was needed to back up 7-1 forward Luke Kornet, who will be sidelined until at least mid-summer after offseason surgery to replace a screw in his foot. Vanderbilt’s once-towering roster continues to get shorter. Last season, the Commodores touted three 7-footers. The current roster has Kornet and 6-10 center Djery Baptiste, but the third-tallest returning player is 6-7 guard Joe Toye.
Signees solidified
Former coach Kevin Stallings signed high school players Payton Willis and Clevon Brown. Within a week of his hiring, Drew traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., and San Antonio to visit both. He came away certain that both signees would still come to Vanderbilt, and they will have opportunities for playing time. Brown, a 6-8 forward, may pick up some minutes because Sehic is gone. Willis will get a chance to earn the starting point guard spot on day one because of Baldwin’s exit.
Austin transferring to Vandy
CBS.com's John Rothstein reported this week that Xavier point guard Larry Austin will transfer to Vanderbilt. He must sit out the 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules. After that, he will have two years of eligibility remaining. Vanderbilt has not yet publicly acknowledged Austin’s pending transfer because he must first pass through the standard admissions process for all students. With Sehic leaving, Drew has open two scholarships in the 2016 recruiting class, and he will have at least two more in the 2017 class.
Roberson to point guard?
It’s not set in stone — especially because the team has only practiced twice under Drew — but 6-6 forward Jeff Roberson could play a little point guard next season. With only Willis and possibly shooting guard Riley LaChance as the only logical fits at point guard, the Commodores likely need at least one more option at the position. Drew said he will try Roberson at that spot, perhaps as early as June, when the team returns to the court for limited offseason workouts. Roberson’s position on the official roster should remain forward, but an expanded role could be in the future.
Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.