WVU basketball has been hard at work since their season came to a close with a College Basketball Crown victory to re-load their roster for Ross Hodge's second season at the helm of the program.
The Mountaineers have been impressive so far, picking up three big transfers in the first week the portal was open before rounding things out with a pair of highly sought-after high school targets and a third transfer addition with Power 5 experience.
But the Mountaineers currently have just 12 players on their roster, with 15 being the maximum limit. That means there are still spots to fill, and when you look at the current roster, there are a few question marks and gaps that need to filled. Let's take a look at what Ross Hodge must add in the portal.
WVU Basketball Roster (as of April 29, 2026)
PG: Miles Sadler, Martin Somerville, Amir Jenkins
SG: Finley Bizjack, Keonte Greybear, MJ Feenane
SF: Evans Barning Jr., Max Olejasz
PF: Javan Buchanan
C: Mouhamed Sylla, Amadou Seini, Aliou Dioum
Let's start by analyzing what the team currently has. Sadler is likely the starter at point guard, and it's assumed he will be relied upon to the the top scorer next year, similar to Honor Huff. Jenkins could provide a reliable backup at the point, but we also don't know if he'll be healthy enough to play after two shoulder surgeries this offseason.
Bizjack can be a reliable starter, but you'd likely rather him be the third scoring option than the No. 2 scorer. Greybear is a promising high school talent and can likely contribute early, but he'll be battling Somerville for playing time if WVU lands another guard, or if Jenkins is healthy enough to play. Somerville can play either guard spot and has Power 5 experience, but will likely be a rotation piece.
Feenae and Olejasz should be look at as you'd view traditional walk-ons, and Barning Jr. has a ton of potential but saw no playing time last year and how much he has developed is still up in the air. Buchanan can stretch to the wing if necessary, but either way you cut it, you need more bodies at your forward spot.
At center, Sylla is an impact starter, and likely an upgrade at the position from last year. Seini is raw and unrated as a prospect, but has stood out against elite talent in his first season in the US, and offers an impressive 7-foot frame that is rare for West Virginia. Dioum will likely need a year to develop.
Where must Ross Hodge add to the roster?
Starting SF/PF
This is your big need if your Ross Hodge. You need another starting forward, preferably a small forward given that Buchanan has the tools to play the four spot. Though, if you're confident in Buchanan sliding to the perimeter in a Chance Moore type of role, you might consider adding a taller power forward – given Buchanan is just 6-foot-7.
Seydou Traore from Utah seems like the hottest target right now.
Hybrid Backup SF/PF
While it's possible the Sylla/Seini combo at center plus a pair of starting forwards is enough that you won't need another forward, but you definitely feel a lot more comfortable with another forward you're confident can occupy a role similar to DJ Thomas off the bench last year.
Given that no other forwards have much traction with WVU other than Traore, WVU might trust Barning for this role, or there may be a surprise on the way.
Veteran guard
Jenkins was a role player last season at WVU, Somerville has starting experience but was more of a consistent backup at his last stop, and Greybear is a true freshman – and while Sadler is expected to be Big 12 ready as a freshman, he's a bit more of an elite prospect than Greybear.
That leaves a number of question marks behind Sadler and Bizjack, and potential disaster of Sadler doesn't live up to the hype. Villanova guard Malachi Palmer, St. John's guard Joson Sanon, Povidence guard Jason Edwards (former Ross Hodge player), and Cincinnati guard Sencire Harris (former WVU player) are all seemingly in play here.
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