On April 3rd, Stanford's men's basketball season wrapped up last night with an overtime loss to West Virginia, 82-77 in the college basketball crown. The Cardinal fought hard in a back-and-forth battle, but now they're heading into the offseason after a solid run. The big story all year was freshman guard Ibuka Okori, who blew up as one of the nation's top players, averaging 22.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He earned all ACC first-team honors and an All-American honorable mention.
Coach Kyle Smith made it clear about Okori's next move, saying it's either back to Stanford or straight to the NBA, leaving fans wondering if the star will return or test the draft in portal waters. Meanwhile, Fresno State's freshman wing Deshaun Gorey just announced he's entering the transfer portal after putting up 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2 assists a game. He had huge nights like 31 points against New Mexico, despite Fresno's rough season. Gorey's athletic style fits perfect and Stanford's system strong in the paint.
Solid defender, great rebounder, much like Okori, but taller. With the program on the rise and just a short drive away, Coach Smith has time to chase his gym and build for next year.