Creighton keeps loading up on transfers by adding Ricky Kreklow
The last guy to walk on as a senior at Creighton swept every major national player of the year award and helped the Bluejays earn a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Creighton can only hope Ricky Kreklow has half as much success next season as Doug McDermott did last year.
Kreklow, a Cal transfer, has chosen to walk on at Creighton rather than accept a scholarship offer elsewhere, ESPN.com first reported. The 6-foot-6 senior-to-be is on pace to graduate from Cal and should be eligible to play his final season immediately for the Bluejays.
The addition of Kreklow is further evidence transfers will play a huge role in Creighton's bid to stay relevant in the Big East in the wake of McDermott's graduation. The Bluejays have previously landed two other impact transfers this offseason: promising former Boston University point guard Maurice Watson and coveted former Nevada forward Cole Huff, both of whom will likely have to sit out next season.
Kreklow may not be the impact addition either of those two are, but he can still be an asset to the Bluejays, especially since he can play right away and he won't cost a scholarship. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists off the bench for Cal during a junior season interrupted by a broken hand that cost him 11 games in January and February. Kreklow also missed 24 games the previous year with a broken foot.
Assuming Kreklow can stay healthy and improve his shooting percentage, the Missouri native can help a Creighton team that loses the core of last year's roster. He'll likely compete with returner Avery Dingman for playing time at small forward alongside guards Austin Chatman and Devin Brooks.
There's little chance Kreklow will set any McDermott-esque scoring records in his lone season in Omaha. Still, he can be a valuable addition as Creighton tries to avoid taking too big a dip next season after contending for the Big East crown last winter.
- - - - - - -
is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @JeffEisenberg
