The Ivy League is not immune to the modern realities of college sports.
The transfer portal and the growth of name, image and likeness rights have eclipsed the promise of a prestigious four-year degree in some cases. There were some high-profile departures in men’s basketball this offseason and Brown was one of the programs affected.
Kalu Anya left the Bears after two years and will enjoy a reunion of sorts in Saint Louis. Brown retained another standout in the frontcourt and picked up a transfer from the Division II ranks to help shape its 2024-25 roster, which will attempt to reach Ivy Madness on its home floor.
The Bears caught fire at the perfect time last season. They won seven straight games to move into the top four of the league standings and reach the title game in Columbia. A last-second loss against Yale was all that prevented Brown from making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1986.
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Will there be a cure next spring? Kino Lilly Jr., Lyndel Erold and AJ Lesburt started that critical game against the Bulldogs – they will continue with the Bears. Lilly has a real chance to claim the league’s Player of the Year award after establishing himself as one of its best players.
Nana Owusu-Anane was the question mark after a shocking portal entry, but her subsequent promise to return offers a huge boost. He’s a captain, the team’s leading rebounder and a nightly double-double threat who has reportedly received interest from the likes of Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Florida, Seton Hall, BYU, Clemson and others. The fact that he was able to earn significant minutes for these power programs makes it clear how important it was for Brown to bring him back.
Erold’s defensive presence and Lesburt’s perimeter shooting injected some life into a Bears lineup that opened just 6-17 overall. Brown coach Mike Martin and his team pushed themselves to the limit and showed courage by making big changes. Aaron Cooley stepped into an energetic role off the bench, while veterans Kimo Ferrari and Malachi Ndur played some of the best basketball of their respective careers as reserves.
Anya could not be sold with return. He will join Billikens and former Bears assistant coach Antone Gray, who arrives from Indiana. Josh Schertz was hired from the Sycamores as head coach and a long NIT run last year could just be a stepping stone to what this team could do in the Atlantic 10.
There will be some gaps to fill and Brown has made some notable attempts to address them. Jacob Dar will be signed to Emory & Henry with two years remaining – he averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds from the wing for the Wasps last season. Point guard Jeremiah Jenkins could make an immediate impact as a top-200 national prospect from the powerhouse Brewster Academy.
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The Bears and their peers around the league cannot afford to sign the most experienced talent. Ndur will spend COVID fifth year at William & Mary – fellow graduates like Princeton guard Zach Martini (Rutgers), Princeton forward Matt Allocco (Notre Dame), Penn guard Clark Slajchert (USC), Dartmouth forward Dusan Neskovic (Richmond) and Harvard forward Judge Ajogbor (Saint Joseph’s) landed in comparable or higher conferences. Groups like Lilly, Erold, Owusu-Anane and Cooley will stand out due to their veteran nature.
Anya joined Yale center Danny Wolf (Michigan), Crimson guard Malik Mack (Georgetown) and Quakers guard Tyler Perkins (Villanova) in finding a potentially higher-profile home for next season. Harvard forward Chisom Okpara remains in the transfer portal and could still leave. All were candidates to make an all-conference team at the end of 2024-25.
Brown tasted the league last weekend – which could be comfort food next time. The Pizzitola Center will host four-team men’s and women’s fields in March as the Bulldogs look to defend their men’s title. Time will tell if the Bears have put themselves in position to avoid another heartbreak.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal: Can Brown men’s basketball reach Ivy Madness next season in Providence?
