The Deacs are going to look completely different next season
Nov 28, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; A view of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons logo at mid court prior to the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports | Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
New Head Coach Steve Forbes is going to have his work cut out for him in his first season at Wake Forest. Since the end of the 2020 season, the Deacon basketball roster has taken on considerable change, so much so that I figured it would be helpful if we recapped all the changes in one article. I will also update this if and when more moves happen.
The Latest
Update: 4-30-2020, 8:30PM
Ody Oguama has now joined Massoud and Neath by entering his name in the transfer portal, leaving open the option to return.
Wake Forest freshman Ody Oguama will put his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal, a source tells @247Sports. Oguama is going to leave open the option to return.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) May 1, 2020
Oguama played in 31 games for the Deacs as a freshman, starting in 24 of them. He averaged 2.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, but was known mostly for his incredibly motor and the fact that he never stopped playing at full speed. Oguama had the highest field goal percentage on the team at 54%.
A few hours after Steve Forbes officially became the Head Coach at Wake Forest, it was reported that freshman forward Ismael Massoud was entering the transfer portal.
Wake Forest freshman forward Ismael Massoud plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, a source tells @247Sports. Averaged 4.8 PPG and 2.0 RPG this past season.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 30, 2020
Massoud appeared in 31 games for the Deacs as a freshman, averaging 4.8 points in 12.2 minutes per game. He was Wake’s second best 3-point shooter on the year, hitting 40% of his shots from beyond the arc. He scored a career high 14 points twice in wins over Pitt and Boston College. Massoud is leaving open the option to return to Wake Forest, per Evan Daniels of 247Sports.
On Tuesday, the day before Steve Forbes was announced as the new coach, it was reported that freshman guard Jahcobi Neath also planned to enter the transfer portal.
Wake Forest guard Jahcobi Neath plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, a source tells @247Sports. Could stay, but wants to explore his options. Averaged 5.2 PPG and 2.2 APG as a freshman.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 28, 2020
Like Massoud, Neath is leaving the option to return open. Neath averaged 5.2 points and 2.2 assists in 18.5 minutes per game last season for the Deacs. He was the best 3-point shooter on the team percentage wise, knocking down 48% of his shots from beyond the arc—though he only attempted 25 all season. Neath became a key contributor for Wake towards the end of the season, averaging 10.1 points and 4.4 assists over the final 7 games.
It is also worth noting that on Wednesday, the NCAA Board of Directors recommended against allowing players to transfer 1 time without sitting out for a year. This could impact whether or not Massoud and Neath return to Wake Forest, but it will also make it more difficult for Forbes to fill out the roster after the transfers and decommits.
NCAA Board of Directors recommends not to allow 1-time waivers as earlier suggested by the NCAA working group
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 30, 2020
Transferring Out
- Michael Wynn
- Sharone Wright Jr.
- Chaundee Brown
- Jahcobi Neath (may return)
- Ismael Massoud (may return)
- Ody Oguama (may return)
Transferring In
- Ian DuBose: Guard, Houston Baptist
- Isaiah Wilkins: Forward, Virginia Tech
Recruits Decommitted for 2020
- Jaylon Gibson: Power Foward, 3-star, 318th nationally, 68th PF
- Djimon Bailey: Guard, 3-star, 431st nationally, 37th CG
Recruits still committed for 2020
- Marcus Watson: Point Guard, 3-star, 207th nationally, 36th PG
- Quadry Adams: Point Guard, 3-star, 421st nationally, 70th PG
