All we hear about in college basketball is centered around name, image and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal. At Marquette, though, that isn’t the case. Shaka Smart is building a culture of togetherness in a time when basketball has never been more individualistic.
Marquette not worried about transfer portal
The deadline for entry into the transfer portal was May 1 and while many were sweating, waiting to hear another name in the portal, Smart and Marquette had no worries. The Golden Eagles didn’t have a single entry into the portal. They also were hardly mentioned with even contacting anyone about coming to Marquette from the portal.
This is why Marquette is successful. It’s why Shaka said at Big East Media Day they don’t want to build, for the most part, through the transfer portal. Different culture. https://t.co/Kr0D67aka7
— Dave (@SJUDave) April 11, 2024
Smart did hit the portal to find players in his first season but was mainly to put a Division I worthy team on the court. He found a pair of seniors with one year of eligibility remaining, Kur Kuath and Daryl Morsell. Smart also brought in two cornerstones, Olivier Maxence-Prosper and Kolek.
Basketball Ncaa Men S Basketball Tournament Round 2
It was a team slated to finish ninth in the Big East in the preseason poll. However, Smart led MU to the NCAA Tournament. Maxence-Prosper played two years at MU and went pro, being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks. Kolek was an All-American and is not using his extra COVID year. Instead, he’s heading to the NBA Draft where he’s expected to be a borderline first round selection.
Last spring—as the transfer market got 💰-driven and transactional—Shaka Smart stopped recruiting.
"Hell no, we ain't doing that."
His team didn't add a single D1 transfer—and was picked 9th in the Big East. Tonight No. 11 Marquette plays for first place.https://t.co/a4FFCa6qUS
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 15, 2023
Smart relies on player development, culture at Marquette
Once Smart has had time to hit the recruiting trail to bring Marquette guys to Milwaukee, he’s prioritized recruiting. He’s relying on development to the players he brings into his program, not the portal.
While there are times you’d think it might be nice to fill that need via the portal, Smart has prioritized togetherness. He’s not recruiting over anyone. It’s honestly refreshing in today’s college landscape.
Smart said in a The Athletic article:
“We’ve never really believed in ever prioritizing someone that’s not worn our jersey over guys that have been here and built our program and been receptive, been recruited by us to come in here, build relationships and grow and win,” Smart said.
Marquette is one of seven programs that didn’t have a player in the portal. There are 355 Division I college basketball teams. It is a program built on hard work and development. Smart has preached culture his entire tenure at MU.
Another interesting note from The Athletic story by CJ Moore mentioned above, is that Smart shares a 27-page culture document “that is like the Bible for his program” with recruits when he first talks with them. I’d say culture is important to Smart.
“We’ve got to have a willingness to bet on our development of these guys.”@CoachShakaSmart talks transfer portal with @SethOnHoops 🏀
FULL SHOW: https://t.co/LXFd48nWQ8 pic.twitter.com/5iKtty9T7k
— Bleav (@BleavNetwork) March 28, 2023
Marquette trusts process not portal
Some people don’t practice what they preach. Smart, though, speaks how much he believes in culture and backs it up. He’s only going after “Marquette guys”. He’s not going into the portal and being the highest bidder for players and recruiting over guys he is developing and have the right attitudes. It’s refreshing and Marquette is one program who is relying on development within. It’s great for fans who love supporting players through their journey at their university of choice. Marquette isn’t churning through talent. It’s also winning along the way and a program that is doing things the old school way.
