It’s not just the rich getting richer. Indeed, the transfer portal gives conference schools the most power and serves as a feeder system each spring.
But as Hofstra showed, this can also work in lower-level schools.
With Sunday’s win in the CAA Tournament opener, the No. 3 seed Pride will have three straight 20-win seasons for the third time in program history. And that was made possible through the power of transfer.
Aaron Estrada led Hofstra to CAA regular season honors last year as the league’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Then in the spring he left for Alabama.
Teammate Tyler Thomas took his place, going from Estrada’s Robin to Hofstra’s Batman. On Thursday, he was named the CAA Player of the Year. Darlingston Dubar, who also transferred to Thomas, was also selected for the second team.
“The proof is in the pudding. I think we’ve done it, we’ve developed players at a high rate, and we’ve put them in a position to make good money and be successful.” Former Hofstra star Speedy Claxton told the Post in a phone interview this week. . “So the blueprint is there, you just have to go in and follow it and work hard.”
All three players have one thing in common. It’s development.
Before coming to Hofstra, Estrada played little at Oregon State, but was named MAAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman at St. Peter’s.
Duvar had a similar experience at Iowa State and then improved in each of the past three seasons with the Pride.
Thomas has made similar strides since leaving Sacred Heart two years ago, leading the nation in 3-point field goals made (3.7) and points per game (22.3) this season. It ranks 3rd in the country.
“Having Aaron Estrada here made everything happen for us,” said assistant coach Mike DePaoli, the lead recruiting officer for Estrada and Thomas. “Playing alongside Estrada was a big draw for Tyler Thomas.”
When last season ended with a loss to Cincinnati in the second round of the NIT, it was clear that Estrada would not return.
The key was retaining the 6-foot-3 Thomas, who could earn big money at the high-major level.
Hofstra (19-12) has a name, image and likeness (NIL) group, Turnpike United, but it can’t compete with the kind of money the power conferences are throwing around.
Immediately after the NIT loss, Claxton and his staff met with Thomas and laid out the plan for him. He will play the role of Estrada and they will be built around him. Thomas had no intention of moving on.
“I’ve already left that one school. I value connections, and they stuck by me,” he said. “It’s more of a matter of trust. I trust them to get me where I want to go. They’ve done everything they said.”
“[NIL] It wasn’t something I valued. It was about connection, team, trust, and ultimately getting better. ”
Claxton believes Hofstra was “lucky” that Thomas thought about his future before payday. But that wouldn’t be fair to Claxton and his coaching staff. It has been proven that they can improve the play of transfers. His trio of Estrada, Thomas, and Dubar are prime examples.
Once this year is over, Mr. Dubar will be a notable case study.
Claxton praised how hard Hofstra’s coaches have pushed him since coming to the Long Island school, while Claxton said Duver has taken on the extra work that has been an integral part of his development. He said he is starting to look for them to get them himself. The 6-foot-8 wing, who averages 18.1 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 39.9 percent from deep, will have suitors.
However, Hofstra can point out how well that extra year of stay worked out for Thomas. It will be his team next winter.
“Here’s a blueprint, and if we show you that blueprint and show you evidence that if we win with this program, you’re going to get dramatically better with this program, then that’s the type of basketball-focused team. It’s kind of hard to say no to that.” [plan]” Thomas said. “They just know how to make players better.”
Of course, not every player thinks about the big picture the way Thomas does. Hofstra will also lose a player, as will Estrada. That’s the way college basketball is played now. Mid-tier and lower major schools are almost all training systems for top programs. Claxton accepted.
“You have to roll with the punches, and if you’re lucky and lucky enough to leave a child, hats off to you,” he said. “But the money that’s being thrown at them probably won’t do that.”
He added: “Honestly, it’s the worst.”
But for now, I’m not worried about the future.
Claxton has chosen to focus on the present and not discuss anything beyond this season.
After all, Hofstra hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2001.
They won the 2020 CAA Tournament, but March Madness was wiped out by COVID-19.
“I just sent a message in the group chat saying, ‘Let’s bring the championship home,'” Thomas said. “Everyone is on board and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
