Former Temple forward Jamille Reynolds lists KU as one of five transfer possibilities

Former Temple power forward Jamille Reynolds, who recently entered his name in the 2023 NCAA transfer portal, has narrowed his list of transfer possibilities to Kansas, Cincinnati, Mississippi, South Carolina and UCF, he reported Wednesday on Twitter.

Reynolds, a 6-foot-11, 280-pound sophomore from St. Petersburg, Florida, averaged 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game this past season for the Owls. He hit 60.4% of his shots and 60.3% of his free throws.

“All five of these schools are saying the same thing, that they need a big who can come in, score, and play a good 25-30 minutes a night. They want me to come in and help lead the team. That’s what caught my eye,” Reynolds told 247sports.com.

“I want each school to keep doing what they’re doing and keep showing interest. I’m going to take these visits in the next couple of weeks and I’m really excited about that,” added Reynolds.

He will visit Cincinnati on Thursday, Mississippi State on April 14 and South Carolina on April 16. He’s working on a date for a visit to KU.

Of KU he told 247sports.com: “It was great talking with coach (Bill) Self on Zoom with my mom there. It was a call of him saying he has a plan for me. He explained his history with bigs like me and how they go to the next level and do well. It’s also Bill Self. He’s a legendary coach. He said he can use me and I can use him so it’s beneficial for both of us.”

Reynolds has cut Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Tulsa, SMU, East Carolina, Rutgers, Providence, Mississippi State and others from his list. He began his college career at Central Florida.

LJ Cryer hears from KU, K-State, Mizzou

Coaches from Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri have made contact with former Baylor guard LJ Cryer since he entered the transfer portal earlier this week, according to On3sports.com.

Cryer, a 6-1, 190 junior from Katy, Texas, averaged 15.0 points a game on 45.3% shooting this past season for the (23-11) Bears. He hit 80 of 193 threes for 41.5%. He had 63 assists against 48 turnovers.

He’s heard from those three schools plus Houston, Texas, Texas A&M, Gonzaga, Nebraska, Illinois, Clemson, Indiana, LSU, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and others.

“It is crazy in the way it feels like my high school recruitment but this time it is more hectic,” Cryer told 247sports.com. “I did not have the opportunity to get recruited by some of these Power Five schools, so it is busier than high school. It has been different.”

Eric Bossi of 247sports.com said: “While his list is long, let us go ahead and shorten it down to a pair of programs that we would bet the field is chasing: Houston and Kansas State. Cryer is from the Houston area and Houston’s offense is certainly one he could fit into playing a Marcus Sasser or Quentin Grimes like role. As for the Wildcats, Jerome Tang was heavily involved with recruiting Cryer to Baylor to begin with and the type of freedom he gives his guards was on full display during K-State’s March run to the Elite Eight.”

“I do not want to play point guard full time, but while I was in Waco I was not able to play point guard at all,” Cryer told 247sports.com. “I am looking to see what school will let me play some time at point guard. I realize I am lethal off the ball and I do not want to take that out of my game because I know it is one of my strengths that can help a team win. I know to get to that next level, I will have to be able to showcase what I can do on the ball.”

Hunter Dickinson to consider KU, UK?

Kansas has been mentioned as a possible destination for former Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, a 7-1, 260-pound native of Alexandria, Virginia, who has entered the transfer portal.

Dickinson averaged 18.5 points on 56% shooting his junior campaign for the (18-16) Wolverines. He hit 24 of 57 threes for 42.1% and also cashed 72.7% of his free throws.

According to analyst Eric Bossi of 247sports.com, “Kansas, Georgetown, Maryland and Villanova appear to be in the best shape early in his process.”

Kentucky and Arkansas have been mentioned of late as strong possibilities as well. Some consider Maryland to be the leader.

“KU coach Bill Self has long coveted a back-to-the-basket big man. Dickinson rated in the 78th percentile nationally in post-ups, per Synergy,” Bossi wrote. “ He’s also proven to be a good decision maker against doubles, and his decision making in the pick-and-roll game is as good as it has ever been. Dickinson would instantly have the national spotlight at Kansas and point guard Dajuan Harris is the pass-first connector that would spoon-feed Dickinson easy buckets left and right. Dickinson would instantly give Kansas’ offense the on-the-block menace Self craves.”

Timberlake prepares for KU visit

Analyst Bossi believes KU is a strong contender for Nick Timberlake, a 6-4, 205-pound senior combo guard from Towson University, who entered the NCAA transfer portal on March 9.

Timberlake — he averaged 17.7 points (on 45.5% shooting), 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season — visited North Carolina on March 28-30.

“We wrote last week about sharp-shooting guard Nicolas Timberlake of Towson not being the done deal to North Carolina that many thought. We can’t write for sure that the UNC ship has sailed, but he is going to Lawrence for a visit with Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas has been pretty aggressive with Timberlake and it will be interesting to see if Timberlake makes it out of Lawrence without committing or at least going full into decision making mode,” Bossi wrote.

Timberlake will arrive in Lawrence Friday for his upcoming visit.

Known for his three-point shooting, the first-team all-CAA selection hit 92 of 221 threes in 2022-23 for 41.6%. He made 84.5% of his free throws and had 79 assists to 78 turnovers. Timberlake averaged 35.7 minutes a game in 33 games. Towson went 21-12 a year ago.

The Braintree, Massachusetts native scored 34 points versus College of Charleston, 32 against Hofstra. 31 versus Hampton and 29 against Delaware.

According to 247sports.com he has also heard from coaches from Indiana, St. John’s, LSU, Ohio State, UCLA, Xavier, Auburn, Boston College, Connecticut, Clemson, Iowa State, Maryland, Memphis, and West Virginia.

“Playing in the CAA, I would like to take a step up,” Timberlake told 247Sports. “Whether it be a Power 5 school or a high-level team, I want to go somewhere where I feel comfortable. I am open to all options but my main goal is to play at the highest level. That stuff plays a big role. I am looking to be an impactful player on a winning team. I want to compete in March Madness and get my feet wet in the tournament. It would be a great thing to accomplish.”

“I feel I can bring a scorer’s mentality and veteran leadership. I have played in over 100 games in my college career and have been a part of a winning program at Towson for the last two years. I have been the main guy for those two years and I feel that will help me impact winning at an even higher level.”

Big 12 in the portal

More Big 12 players have entered the transfer portal in the last day or so. Players who have announced they are in the portal in addition to Baylor’s Cryer: Oklahoma forward Jacob Groves, the brother of Tanner Groves; Texas Tech forward Daniel Batcho; Baylor guard Dale Bonner and Baylor forward Zach Loveday.

Will KU pursue Harrison Ingram?

Stanford sophomore forward Harrison Ingram, a 6-7, 220-pound one-time KU recruit, has entered the portal after averaging 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game last season for the Cardinal.

He is a McDonald’s All-American out of Dallas who earned Pac-12 freshman of the year honors in 2021-22 and in 22-23 started 32 games. He had a career-high 24 points against Mississippi and also averaged 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game from Jan. 14 through the end of the season.

North Carolina is said to have great interest in Ingram, the country’s No. 16-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2021 according to Rivals.com.

Maryland’s Hakim Hart enters portal

Hakim Hart, a 6-8, 205 senior wing from Maryland who has entered the portal and placed his name in the 2023 NBA Draft, reportedly is a transfer possibility for KU.

Hart, a Big 10 honorable mention pick, averaged 11.4 points (on 47.9% shooting; 41-of-123 from three for 33.3%)., 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this past season for the Terps. He made 80.4% of his free throws.

“Hart’s transfer, reported on by InsideMDSports on Wednesday, is a big departure for a Maryland,” wrote Jeff Ermann of 247sports.com. “Hart, a 6-8 wing, started for the Terps for most of the past three seasons and was an honorable mention all-Big Ten selection this year, tying Julian Reese for second on the team in points per game, ranking third in rebounds and posting the second-best field goal percentage of Maryland’s regulars. His exit leaves a hole in Maryland’s starting lineup, but Terps coach Kevin Willard has been shopping the transfer portal and identified multiple players of interest.”