Three former Drexel University basketball standouts have each announced where they will spend their final year of eligibility, marking the end of a productive chapter for the program.
Shane Blakeney, who earned second‑team all‑conference honors during his three seasons with the Dragons, will join the University of South Carolina, where he hopes to become the conference’s premier perimeter defender.
Kevon Vanderhorst, a steady floor general who averaged 9.3 points and 2.9 assists last season, is headed to Iona, where his playmaking will be a cornerstone for the Gaels.
Deja Evans, the first women’s basketball player to transfer from Drexel in the past two years, chose Saint Joseph’s and will bring defensive intensity after earning Coastal Athletic Association all‑defensive team honors.
Their moves come as coaches at the new institutions highlight the experience each brings, with South Carolina’s staff praising Blakeney’s defensive skill set, Iona’s mentors noting Vanderhorst’s consistency, and Saint Joseph’s emphasizing Evans’s rebounding and defensive contributions.
The transfers also reflect a broader trend of top talent seeking fresh platforms to showcase their abilities before potentially turning professional.
A New Chapter for Drexel Alumni
Lamont Paris, head coach at South Carolina, said Blakeney’s work ethic and defensive instincts align perfectly with the Gamecocks’ vision, while Carey Rich at Iona highlighted Vanderhorst’s leadership on and off the court.
Cindy Griffin, a senior administrator at Saint Joseph’s, added that Evans’s arrival strengthens the program’s defensive identity and brings a winning pedigree from Drexel.