TOPEKA — Washburn basketball played a historical season last year. The run to the Final Four and regular season conference titles were massive achievements for the team.
In the new era of college athletics, the transfer portal continues to churn at all times. Washburn was fantastic this year and the Division I teams came rolling into Topeka to try and secure players away from the program.
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It’s a double-edged sword for the Ichabods.
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Of course, they want to win conference and national titles. When that happens, the big schools start approaching. The team also wants to retain its talent. It’s a tough spot for the program when two of the team’s best departed.
Brayden Shorter hit the transfer portal last year after leading Division II in 3-pointers. He is now playing for Murray State. Shorter scored six points on 2-for-6 shooting from behind the arc in his debut on Monday, Nov. 3.
Former assistant coach Ty Danielson also departed for North Dakota. Danielson was key in helping the Ichabods develop their defense into a force a season ago.
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“In the nature of our world right now, that shows that we are doing things the right way with staff development and player development,” Washburn head coach Brett Ballard said. “Selfishly, you would like to keep them, but for those guys, I am really happy.”
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Washburn Ichabods head coach Brett Ballard brings the trophy in to his players after the NCAA Division II Central Regional Championship game inside Lee Arena on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
While the Ichabods miss these two talented pieces from last year, the team did not miss a step in the opening weekend of action.
Washburn defeated Augusta 101-53 in the first game of the season. The Ichabods followed it with an 89-77 victory against No. 3 Dallas Baptist on Sunday, Nov. 2. Both games came in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.
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“You look at the good coaches, like Nick Saban, I’m not Nick Saban by any means,” Ballard smiled. “He loses coordinators and those assistants are getting head jobs. I think you want that and it shows that your program is in a good place.”
Washburn Ichabods head coach Brett Ballard looks through notes before the start of the second half against Concordia St. Paul in the semifinal game of the NCAA Division II Central Regional Championship tournament inside Lee Arena on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
While key pieces left Washburn, the Ichabods received some big players in the transfer portal, too.
In the opening weekend, Bryson Smith and Jeremiah Jones were in the starting lineup. Smith is a Northeastern State transfer. Jones is a junior guard transfer from the University of Mary. He led the team in minutes against Dallas Baptist. Jones scored 13 points and had a team-high seven steals in Sunday’s win.
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While the transfer portal can taketh, it can also giveth.
Washburn basketball is off to a 2-0 start and they are the No. 2 team in the nation. The Ichabods will play in the Central Region Challenge on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15. They will take on Minnesota State-Moorhead and Winona State in Pittsburg.
The Ichabods first home game comes against Rockhurst on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How Washburn basketball has navigated the transfer portal
