ESPN insider Jeff Borzello has labeled West Virginia University's basketball program the 'Biggest Surprise' of the transfer portal season, citing a series of high‑impact additions that could reshape the Mountaineers' outlook.
Head coach Ross Hodge engineered the roster move by surrounding five‑star point guard Miles Sadler with a cadre of seasoned transfers, a strategy that has already drawn praise for its balance of youth and experience.
A surprise run in the transfer portal
The incoming talent includes Mouhamed Sylla, a former top‑30 recruit who despite an ankle injury still projects a high ceiling, Finley Bizjack, who topped the Big East in scoring last year, and Joson Sanon, an elite scorer whose offensive firepower could anchor the team.
Other contributors such as Seydou Traore, who started 31 games for Utah, Martin Somerville, who logged 26 minutes per game at Florida State, and Javan Buchanan, the potential X‑factor awaiting a waiver for an extra year of eligibility, add depth to the squad.
The Mountaineers capped the previous season at 18‑14 overall and 9‑10 in the Big 12, then rode a three‑game winning streak to capture the College Basketball Crown Championship, underscoring the momentum built around the new transfers.
Borzello believes that Bizjack and Sanon will emerge as strong scorers, while Sylla could become one of the premier big men in the Big 12, positioning West Virginia as a dark horse contender heading into the upcoming campaign.