CORRECTION: The original version of this article misspelled Randall Pettus' name. Elon News Network regrets this error.
After losing two of its best offensive players in TK and TJ Simpkins to the transfer portal, Elon University men’s basketball has finally made its first move in the portal. Bryson Cokley, a transfer from George Mason University, announced that he was transferring to Elon on social media on April 13. Randall Pettus II, who played at Northern Kentucky University last year, announced his transfer on April 14.
Acquiring guard play was a crucial need for the Phoenix as it lost two of their best guards in the Simpkins brothers and potentially losing sophomore Nick Dorn who has also recently entered the transfer portal. They filled this need for guards with Petus and Cokely.
Pettus averaged 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and was efficient from beyond the arc, knocking down 37 3-pointers, second most on the team. He also had the third most steals with 43, averaging 1.3 per game. He played in every game of the season for Northern Kentucky.
Cokely, a 6-foot-6 freshman, did not find much action in his freshman season, only playing in nine games with a total of 22 minutes played. He scored 11 points and had two rebounds during the season. Cokely is coming from a stellar George Mason squad that fell just short of making the NCAA Tournament in the A-10 conference championship.
Head coach Billy Taylor brought in four transfers last season, so more action in the portal could be expected.
Elon Athletics did not respond to Elon News Network’s immediate request for comment.