OSU Basketball: Freshman Transfer Eric Dailey Jr. Set to Visit Big Ten Team
A former Cowboy might be a step closer to finding his new home.
After Oklahoma State’s 12-20 season, the team fired Mike Boynton, who had coached the team for the past seven years. In the nearly three weeks between Boynton’s firing and Steve Lutz's hiring, OSU lost a large chunk of its production last season to the transfer portal.
Among those who left was freshman forward Eric Dailey Jr. Although starters Javon Small, Brandon Garrison and Quion Williams also entered the portal, it appears Dailey is the closest to making a decision on where he will play next season.
According to basketball insider Adam Zagoria, Dailey will visit UCLA from April 14-16. Zagoria was the first to report UCLA’s interest in Dailey, along with UCF, Texas A&M, Gonzaga and Iowa State, after the forward entered the portal.
Despite an overall disappointing season in Stillwater, the Cowboys’ youth was a bright spot. However, with Dailey and Garrison unlikely to play for Lutz next season, the Cowboys are left in a tough spot this offseason.
Of course, the bright spots Dailey showed at OSU have made him a highly sought-after product in the portal. A four-star recruit out of IMG Academy, the Florida native shined as a starter and sixth man at OSU.
In his only season in Stillwater, Dailey was the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 9.3 points to go with 4.8 rebounds and nearly a steal per game. Dailey finished the season with two double-doubles, including 13 points and 11 rebounds against Creighton.
Coming off the bench for most of OSU’s Big 12 slate, Dailey gave the team a boost with his mid-range jumper and powerful moves in the paint.
As UCLA looks to rebound from a 16-17 record last season, Dailey could be a great pickup from Mick Cronin’s team.
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IVAN WHITE
Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.