Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
VCU men’s basketball’s standards have increased as they earned a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title and the conference tournament championship for its second straight season.
VCU secured its spot at the NCAA Tournament, where it faced off against No. 6 University of North Carolina.
The Rams won a thrilling 19-point comeback before eventually losing to No. 3 University of Illinois in the round of 32.
Despite the Rams’ loss in the second round, the astonishing upset against UNC left VCU ready to use the offseason to its advantage.
However, with the rise of the transfer portal, VCU’s team roster remains in question.
Head coach Phil Martelli Jr. believes that one of the most crucial aspects of college basketball is player consistency. Backing his belief, Martelli has agreed to a contract extension through the 2031-32 season, demonstrating his commitment and gratitude towards VCU.
“VCU is built to compete at the highest level and we have to continue to push that forward,” Martelli said in a post-game press conference. “I talk a lot about the people that came before us and what they’ve done to build this legacy, but it’s really now it’s the people that are in charge and all of us.”
After Martelli’s extension, multiple key players announced their intentions to stay with VCU for the 2026-27 season.
First-year guard and A-10 Rookie of the Year Nyk Lewis was the first to express his intention to return to VCU for his sophomore year. He emphasized the impact Martelli and VCU had on his decision.
“Very thankful for everything VCU has done to help develop me as a man on and off the court,” Lewis said in an Instagram post. “Thankful for the fans and the community for unforgettable memories and experiences, it’s time to build on last year.”
Following Lewis’ announcement, second-year guard Brandon Jennings, third-year forwards Michael Belle and Lazar Djokovic, third-year guard Tyrell Ward and first-year guard Jordan Tillery all announced their intent to stay.
However, breakout second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. announced he will enter the portal with a return to VCU “remaining open.” Alongside him were redshirt fourth-year forward Christian Fermin, third-year forward Keyshawn Mitchell and redshirt third-year forward Obinnaya Okafor.
In 2025, the NCAA men’s basketball transfer portal entries hit a record high for the fourth consecutive year, according to Front Office Sports.
Recent adjustments to the transfer portal’s rules have ultimately simplified the process for players seeking other opportunities, according to Yahoo Sports.
The transfer window now opens the day after the national championship game and stays open for 15 days. By altering the transfer window to correlate with the end of the NCAA Tournament, the unpredictability leading into the new season is high.
With the portal’s recent changes and VCU’s success, the Rams’ offseason could be full of rapid changes, forcing the team to make quick adjustments before the upcoming season.
Mid-major teams — like VCU — often find themselves facing off against the transfer portal rather than working with it.
Despite the predicted departure of some players, the early announcements highlight the loyalty and devotion towards VCU and its basketball program.
“With all the tournaments and the big shots and the wins and all that, we’re just trying to add to that legacy,” Martelli said during the UNC post game press conference. “We’re not trying to create anything new. We’re just trying to build on what’s been built upon and just keep adding stories to that legacy.”