The transfer portal has not yet been open for 24 hours, and things have already took a turn south for WVU basketball.
The West Virginia Mountaineers saw three freshman enter the transfer portal on the first day of the offseason. But by far the biggest loss comes in the form of DJ Thomas, a freshman forward who averaged 16.6 minutes per contest for the Mountaineers this past season, who announced Tuesday evening he'll be entering the portal. Joining him in the portal so far are Evans Barning Jr., who saw no action for WVU this season, and Jayden Forsythe, who played in just five contests this year.
NEWS: West Virginia forward DJ Thomas is entering the transfer portal, @LeagueRDY has learned.
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) April 7, 2026
The 6-foot-9 forward out of Allen, Texas played just one season in Morgantown. Averaged 6.6PPG and 2.1RPG this season. pic.twitter.com/Fafu3QBuUV
Crucial freshman forward DJ Thomas leaves West Virginia Mountaineers for transfer portal
Among players with the eligibility to return next season, DJ Thomas had played the most minutes this past season, and he averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 rebounds during his time on the floor for the Mountaineers.
He stepped up massively at different points for West Virginia during the season, including during the College Basketball Crown, where he led the team in scoring with 20 points in the semifinals against Creighton and tallied 31 points over three games. He was initially committed to North Texas with no other Power 5 offers, before following Ross Hodge to Morgantown when he was hired by the Mountaineers.
We wrote after his effort in the College Basketball Crown semifinals that Thomas needed to be a top priority this offseason, and this news doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't. After stepping in the Crown in particular, he'll certainly garner a lot of attention, and it wouldn't be if we learn there have already been some big-time programs reaching out about what his price might be.
But regardless, if he doesn't withdraw from the portal and ends up leaving, he will be a major loss for the Mountaineers, as Hodge will be losing one of the few players with eligibility and significant playing experience that was able to return. And not only are you losing that proven experience, you now have another big gap to fill in the post.