Alright, pull up a chair because we’re diving into the Grand Canyon University (GCU) basketball scene—and, wow, Bryce Drew’s got himself a fun little rebuild project this year. Picture this: GCU and its coach are basically playing a high-stakes version of Tetris with the squad, thanks to the transfer portal madness. Four NCAA Tourneys in five years, and now it’s time to shuffle the deck.
First up, Styles Phipps. The former St. Mary’s HS star’s been dealing with a pesky hand injury, and he’s now peacing out to Pepperdine. Phipps was supposed to be the next big thing for GCU, especially with his Phoenix roots, but he’s off to reunite with Ed Schilling. Schilling, by the way, was one of his early believers at GCU. Good ol’ nostalgia. Phipps’ numbers last season? Nothing wild: 7.9 minutes, a couple of points, and a promising 21 assists in the games he did play.
But when one door closes, another massive one opens—even if it’s 6’10”. Enter Wilhelm Breidenbach, the new big man from Washington, who’s got some serious mileage from his days at Nebraska and Mater Dei HS. He’s off the bench now, filling Duke Brennan’s shoes. Speaking of Brennan, he’s packed up for Villanova to link with none other than Kevin Willard, the Maryland coach who knows a hard worker when he sees one. Brennan was a mad rebounder (9.2 per game!), and Villanova clearly saw his hustle during March Madness.
Want to Learn More About Transferring?
Checkout our Guide to the Basketball Transfer Portal
Back with the Lopes, they’ve snagged themselves a gem. Brian Moore Jr., from Norfolk State, decided to light it up at GCU. This guy is going places. He’s earned the Lou Henson Award, which is like putting a crown of mid-major glory on his head. Averaging 18 points while shooting nearly 55%, he was a standout in the MEAC and is bringing that Harlem flare right into Phoenix.
GCU’s not stopping there. They’ve got Jaden Henley from UNLV, a 6’7″ hybrid guard/forward who’s been around like a basketball suitcase. From Minnesota to DePaul, Henley’s got experience. Then there’s Dusty Stromer from Gonzaga, adding some more depth if you’re trying to lose a defender. It’s like GCU’s going for a full buffet of talent.
Oh, and don’t forget the GCU newbies dipping into the portal like restless shoppers looking for the next best opportunity. Phipps was just a taste. Fellow freshmen Austin Mauer and Sammie Yeanay are open to options too. Mauer’s known as the former Gatorade Oregon High School Player of the Year, while Yeanay brings that AZ Compass Prep pedigree.
To say Coach Drew’s got his hands full might be the understatement of the year. He’s got to connect these fresh faces with a veteran core, thanks to that nifty NCAA waiver giving some players an extra season. Safe to say, GCU’s aiming to keep their NCAA streak alive. Keep checking the portal news because this game of musical chairs isn’t done yet. It’s gonna be a wild offseason ride!
