BY KYLE LOVERN
FOR THE CITIZEN
Former Sheldon Clark basketball star Trey James recently announced he entered the college transfer portal.
The transfer portal is the system that allows college athletes to change schools. It is a database that lists all players who intend to transfer, signaling to other schools that they can reach out to those players.
James played at Iona College last season for legendary coach Rick Pitino.
He had this statement on Twitter.
“First, I want to thank Coach Pitino and the Iona College coaching staff for the experience and development I have received over the past year. I could not have asked for a better opportunity to learn and be developed from a HOF coach. I have lifelong relationships with my teammates and I wish them the best.”
James went on to say, “I also want to thank my professors, classmates and the Iona College community for welcoming me. However, after careful consideration with my family, I am entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left.”
Many college athletes have taken this route the last couple of years, now that the rule has been changed. A student athlete can now transfer one time without sitting out a year. In the past, transfers would have had to sit a year without playing sports. If a player already has their degree, then they can also transfer without having to sit out a year.
James left Sheldon Clark High School (now Martin County High) midway through his senior season and joined the Iona squad. That year was during the COVID pandemic.
He helped lead his high school squad to a regional tournament win during his junior season and they would have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. However because of the coronavirus, the tourney was canceled.
James was recruited by several Division 1 colleges while in high school. He initially verbally committed to Wake Forest, but after coach Danny Manning was fired, he changed his mind. He landed in New York playing for Pitino.
Many local fans hope James will transfer to a school closer to his hometown in eastern Kentucky.