Florida Atlantic men's basketball team will start 2024-25 season with new-look roster

Florida Atlantic men's basketball coach John Jakus will get the chance to paint on a fresh canvas in his first season in Boca Raton.

The Owls have seven players either in the portal or already committed to other schools. Johnell Davis, Vlad Goldin, Alijah Martin, Nick Boyd, Isaiah Gaines, Giancarlo Rosado and Brennen Lorient leave a more than significant void that Jakus will be looking to fill via the transfer portal and with high school signees.

In addition to players leaving campus, marquee high school commits have elected to land elsewhere. Three-star Lorenzo Cason (Lakeland) announced on Tuesday that he will be following Dusty May to Michigan, while three-star Ty Robinson (Lake Hamilton, Ark.) committed to Central Arkansas two weeks ago.

However, Jakus has started to restock the roster with the additions of transfer guards A.J. Staton-McCray (Samford) and Leland Walker (Eastern Kentucky).

As for those leaving FAU, Davis is ranked as the No. 2 transfer in the country according to On3. Many outlets believe Arkansas' John Calipari, with the Tyson Foods and Walmart NIL bag in tow, will land Davis soon. Calipari's former team, Kentucky, is also in the hunt for Davis should he opt to return to school over the NBA.

Goldin, the No. 14 transfer prospect, is a target for May's staff in Ann Arbor and likely to commit in the coming days if he wants to take up the last scholarship slot available for the Wolverines. If not, the 7-foot center will have his pick when the time comes for a decision.

Boyd committed to San Diego State on April 20, and Martin announced his commitment to Florida one day later. West Palm Beach's Rosado decided to stay in the AAC and will suit up for Charlotte next season.

Who did Jakus persuade to stay?

One regular starter has decided to return: combo guard and offensive threat Brandon Weatherspoon.

Weatherspoon appeared in 34 games, starting 23, last season when the Owls returned to the NCAA Tournament only to get knocked out by Northwestern in the first round. He averages a tick under 24 minutes per game, and posted 7.2 points on 45% shooting from the floor with 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and just under one steal per game.

He'll be an important returner and has the ability to score in bunches. Weatherspoon likely will act as a release valve in Jakus' offense as the new-look Owls build chemistry.

Tre Carroll also will be returning, and his infectious positive attitude will be just as important as his 6-foot-8 frame. His backup minutes behind Goldin last year were invaluable, and he provides a defensive spark that Jakus will surely find room for.

Two redshirt freshmen — Jakel Powell (6-5 guard) and Devin Vanterpool (6-4 guard) — will get the chance to compete for time on the floor in their first season.

Jakus adds Delray Beach native to Owls roster

The seven departures combined for 135 minutes and 64 points per game. Four regular starters make up those numbers, so Jakus needs high-level, starting-caliber players from the transfer portal to bridge the gap.

He landed exactly that in Samford guard Staton-McCray. He started in all but four games last season for the Bulldogs, who appeared in the NCAA Tournament and had Kansas on the ropes until a controversial foul gave the Jayhawks free throws with fewer than 20 seconds to play.

The player who made the exceptional defensive play? Staton-McCray. His defensive abilities highlight an approach Jakus will be looking for in recruits, and he'll be a foundational piece on both sides of the floor in 2024-25.

The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 1.42 steals along with his 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.17 assists per game. Staton-McCray, a Delray Beach native, shot 44% from the floor and 41% from behind the arc, and is likely a shoo-in for a starting role.

Walker announced his commitment to FAU on Wednesday evening. The 6-1 sophomore was named an All-ASUN first-teamer after posting 15.4 points per game on 43% shooting with 4.1 assists.

Walker scored 20 or more points in 11 games last year while starting every game. He recorded a program-record 16 assists in one game.

More: FAU football: Three takeaways from the Owls' Spring Game

Outside of Staton-McCray and Walker, no other recruits or transfers have announced a decision for FAU.

A need still to be addressed is a quality center. While Carroll provides solid minutes off the bench, Jakus will need someone with more height to compete in a league that's only getting better. Goldin, Davis and Martin combined for 19.1 of last year's 38.1 rebounds per game.

There are plenty of high-level bigs in the portal now, and Jakus is a proven recruiter. If Jakus elects to bring in a true center, there are certainly plenty to choose from. If not, there are even more solid forwards still looking for a home. Either way, expect smart signings that will address multiple needs at once, just like Staton-McCray.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FAU Owls men's basketball to start 2024-25 season with new-look roster