It was quite a week in the transfer portal for George Mason and Tony Skinn
The coaching staff has been busy rebuilding the roster for 2024-25
Tony Skinn looks to once again be having a successful off-season using the transfer portal. Despite a number of players leaving via the portal, he and his staff managed a to pull together three new starters this week. Much like last year, they seem to be collecting the right pieces and guys who will fit their system. Let’s take a look at the new additions.
The most exciting portal get so far would have to be Auburn guard KD Johnson. The 6’0” fifth year senior brings a lot of minutes from playing in the SEC and built a reputation as a nasty defender and overall high IQ player. A fan favorite of Tiger fans and hated competitor of basically every other SEC fanbase, Johnson brings strong presence to the Patriot backcourt. He comes to George Mason to get more minutes at the point guard position, a huge need coming into next season for the Patriots. Having a proven player who can be their floor general in the #PatriotPressure system makes everyone better. We could be talking about a first team all A-10 type of season for Johnson.
Johnson was always playing on a loaded Auburn team, who kept adding new pieces each year. He still managed to carve out a lot of minutes for himself on one of the best teams in the country. The hope is he can play 30+ minutes at George Mason and really reach his potential.
Another talented guard in the mix for the Patriots will be Brayden O’Connor from UMass-Lowell. The 6’4” adds much needed wing help averaging 9.9 PPG and shooting over 35% on three-pointers last season. He’s a true combo guard and a solid defender.
The team needed to improve shooting and this addition definitely helps in their overall perimeter shooting. He also gets to the free-throw line at a high rate, which seems to be a recurring theme with the guard they are bringing in.
Another guard addition this week was Jeremiah Quigley whois a 5’11” point guard coming off a stellar freshman season at Iona. A local kid from Maryland, he averaged 10.8 PPG and 3.3 APG last season and will add depth to the point guard position. Played a ton of minutes last season and put up pretty good shooting numbers from deep, around 33%.
Definitely a great piece to the puzzle for Skinn and company as they reshape this off-season. Mason will have a lot more depth in the backcourt next year with this new faces and the addition of freshman Justin Begg. They will have a better look at the 1-3 spots than they did last season if you ask me.
However they are not done yet adding new players and I would think they are looking another someone who can play at the four and possibly another shooter. Woody Newton returning is a big deal could anchor down a starting spot possibly at the four where Keyshawn Hall was.
An updated look the current roster from @MasonFanatic:
Last month the staff also added 6’11” forward Giovanni Emejuru from Siena.