Darian DeVries on Drake basketball’s transfer portal additions
Darian DeVries breaks down the new players on the Drake men’s basketball roster and discussed how he’s developing chemistry with ten newcomers.
Drake men’s basketball will look a little bit different in the 2023-24 season.
Sure, Tucker DeVries, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, and Darnell Brodie, who emerged as one of the Bulldogs’ best players in the postseason, have returned for another year of college basketball.
But Drake graduated several players who cemented their spots in the record books: D.J. Wilkins, Garrett Sturtz and Roman Penn. Sturtz is now a graduate manager for the Bulldogs.
Such is the cycle in college sports, as veteran players graduate, new faces step into those spots.
And the Bulldogs have plenty of new faces.
There are 10 newcomers on Drake’s roster, including four pickups in the transfer portal, four freshmen on scholarship, and two freshman walk-ons.
With Drake unofficially kicking off the season on Thursday with an exhibition against Truman State, it’s time to get to know the new Bulldogs, in their own words. We spoke with all 10 newcomers at media day in October.
Kyron Gibson, Sr., Guard
Previous program: Texas-Arlington
As one of the older guys coming to Drake from the transfer portal, what were you looking for in your new team?
KG: I just wanted to be a part of a family, a coaching staff that was stable and had a good resume and was known for getting players better. The coaches were just trustworthy. Everything really lined up. Drake is a program built on trust, and the coaches do a very good job of building relationships with the players.
Were there any nerves coming in as a senior, trying to find your role in a new system?
KG: No, I wouldn’t say that much. I always had to earn anything I had. So, coming here and having the mindset to play hard every day, the rest takes care of itself.
Atin Wright, Jr., Guard
Previous program: Cal State Northridge
When you entered the transfer portal, what were you looking for and what boxes did Drake check?
AW: I was just looking for a winning program, somewhere where I could develop my game and become a more complete player. Drake filled all the boxes, even more with the whole coaching staff willing to help me become the player that I want to be. The culture of the team, the area, the fans, they checked off all the boxes.
You talked about helping you become the player you want to be. What is the player you want to become?
AW: Just more of a complete playmaker. At my old school, I was known more for scoring, but people wouldn’t really know about my playmaking, my defensive abilities, because my scoring was so prominent. Just becoming a winner in all aspects of my game.
Carlos Rosario, Redshirt So., Forward
Previous program: Washington State
How do you feel like you’ve adjusted to Drake’s system since coming in as a transfer?
CR: I would say like everything that we do here is different (from) my other school. I’m adjusting pretty well. I’d say my defense has to get better, but I feel fine.
Where do you see yourself fitting into Drake’s system, or what do you bring to the team?
CR: I’d say that I’m a good defender, I can get to the rim and, also, I can shoot a couple of threes. But my main thing is my defense.
Ethan Roberts, So., Guard
Previous program: Army
Coming off Rookie of the Year in the Patriot League, what did you want in the new program coming out of the transfer portal?
ER: Obviously, a winning one. And just a place I feel I can get better at, and Drake had both of those things. Just a program where I feel like I fit in and kind of flourish, and with that, the team has success, as well.
What is it about your playing style and what you saw from Drake that you knew you’d be a fit here?
ER: Drake has a really open offense, and it flows really well because there’s great shooters and I add to that. I play off my shot, and our offense is for people with good (basketball) IQ. Things run well when everybody’s on the same page and that’s shown in the way they play, and the way I play naturally fits with that style.
Kevin Overton, Fr., Guard
High school: Midwest City (Okla.)
Why did you want to play college basketball at Drake?
KO: Probably the family environment, primarily. They made me feel like I was at home on my visit. Obviously, being a winning a program and being somewhere where you can thrive as a player and as a team helps, too.
What is it about your skillset that you feel can help separate yourself from the pack?
KO: Primarily, I have defensive ability that not many people have at this age. And offensively, I think everybody collectively has something they bring to the team, but I’m just an all-around player. It’s not really one specific aspect; I’m just an all-around player.
Colby Garland, Fr., Guard
High school: Maumelle (Ark.)
With so many new guys, how are you looking to separate yourself from the crowd?
CG: Coach promised us the first day that no spots were guaranteed and just come in and work for it. And if he thinks that you’re capable of playing for him, you’re gonna play. So, I think that’s what a lot of guys have been doing. There’s for sure gonna be a lot of new faces on the court this year.
What can Drake fans expect from you this season?
CG: They can expect a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm. I come out and give my hardest every day, come to work every day and put my 100% into the game. I’m gonna be a great defender for this team and just do everything that I can to help us be successful.
Chico Johnson, Fr., Guard
High school: Central Catholic (Ohio)
What was it about Drake that sold you on coming here and playing for the Bulldogs?
CJ: I would probably say the coaching staff, and the community as well. The coaching being able to offer me a full scholarship with the conditions that I had, not playing my senior year, really brought me into understanding that they really want me to be here.
How are you progressing with your rehab for your ACL, and how close do you feel to being back to where you were?
CJ: Treatment’s been good. I’ve been doing physical therapy every day. I’d say I’m still a few more months out from being back to where I was. I attacked physical therapy over the summer pretty hard, so I think the confidence is getting there.
Elijah Price, Fr., Guard
High school: St. Anthony (Calif.)
What’s stood out to you most in your first few months with the program?
EP: I just like the culture. Everybody here is on the same page and trying to win games, working hard every day, trying to be perfect. So, I can really appreciate that. I came to Drake because of the winning culture, the player development and then the environment. That’s what I was looking forward to and that’s what I got.
I’m sure you’re going up against Darnell (Brodie) in practice. How does that help improve your game as a freshman going up against a guy like him?
EP: He’s a grown man. I’m 19 years old. I don’t think I’ll ever see anybody like him in college, or anywhere near him in college. It’s huge, though, it’s really helped my physicality, being able to play physical and play rough inside, being able to take on more contact. That’s really helped me in my game.
Patrick Bath, Fr., Forward (Walk-on)
High school: Totino-Grace
What made you want to walk on at Drake as opposed to maybe exploring other options?
PB: One thing I knew is there’s opportunity for scholarship in the future, and this school has a history of giving scholarships for walk-ons as well. But it’s a school with a great winning culture and I wanted to be a part of this. I saw a lot of success with my playing style in this team.
What can Drake fans expect to see from you if you find your way onto the court this year?
PB: I’ve got a little bit of a bounce, I’m a high-flyer, I could definitely throw down some dunks. But I’m a strong rebounder as well and a hard worker. So, I guess they can expect a lot from me.
Bennett Fried, Fr., Forward (Walk-on)
High school: La Crosse Central (Wis.)
You walked on basically the first day of classes. What was behind that decision?
BF: It took me a long time to make my decision. But in August, I said that I’d love to come here and that was that. They’ve taken me in ever since then and it’s been great. It’s been like I’ve been here the whole summer almost.
Why did you want to join Drake, even as a walk-on?
BF: Number one was when I sat down and talked with coach (Darian) DeVries, he said, as a walk-on, you’re not gonna be treated any differently than someone who’s on scholarship. Once practices start, everyone’s equal, no one’s treated differently. The other thing was that they gave me an opportunity to play at this level.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
