As the season winds down, let’s check in on the former Rebels who are playing elsewhere from last year’s squad.
If you’ve watched this team and last year’s group, you’ve probably wondered how some of those pieces would fit and how they’re doing now.
Here’s where things stand.
Dedan Thomas Jr.
School: LSU Tigers
Stats: 15.3 PTS | 2.7 REB | 6.5 AST | 45.9% FG
Status: Out for season (foot injury)
Thomas was doing exactly what you’d expect before the injury. He had a stretch in December where he looked fully in control, including 22 points and 12 assists against Southern Miss on Dec. 29. A week earlier, he put up 21 and seven against Prairie View, and he had another 16 and 12 against SMU on Dec. 13. His last real showing came Jan. 24 at Arkansas with 18 points and five assists. Then the season stopped.
Jeremiah Cherry
School: Sacramento State Hornets
Stats: 15.5 PTS | 8.2 REB | 1.7 AST | 48.1% FG
Status: Out for season (knee injury)
Cherry didn’t get much runway, but the production was there early. He had 17 points and 10 boards against Presbyterian on Nov. 16, and it looked like he was going to be a steady interior piece before the knee injury shut it down.
Jaden Henley
School: Grand Canyon Lopes
Stats: 17.5 PTS | 5.6 REB | 2.8 AST | 46.0% FG
Henley’s one of the guys who clearly found a role. He’s scoring, he’s playing heavy minutes, and the usage is there. Mid-February was a good snapshot. He had 24 points and eight assists at San Jose State, then 21 at San Diego State, and 15 with five rebounds and five assists against Wyoming on Feb. 21. That’s a primary option.
Rob Whaley Jr.
School: Kent State Golden Flashes
Stats: 11.6 PTS | 4.3 REB | 1.5 AST | 49.8% FG
Whaley’s production comes in waves, but when it hits, it’s loud. He had back-to-back 27-point games in late January, including a 27 and 14 game against Miami (OH). He also added 16 and 10 at Buffalo earlier that month. More recently, he had 15 and eight at Southern Miss on Feb. 7. It’s not every night, but the ceiling shows up.
Jailen Bedford
School: Virginia Tech Hokies
Stats: 11.4 PTS | 3.1 REB | 1.2 AST | 41.8% FG
Bedford’s had a few nights where it clicks. He opened January with 25 at Wake Forest, went for 24 at Louisville, and dropped 23 at Clemson on Feb. 11. He also had 22 against SMU. It’s more scoring bursts than consistency, but the offense shows up.
Jace Whiting
School: Weber State Wildcats
Stats: 11.6 PTS | 3.5 REB | 2.8 AST | 44.9% FG
Whiting’s been steady more than anything. Not a ton of huge nights, but consistent contributions. He had 17 at Saint Mary’s back in December, then a mix of 10- to 12-point games in conference play, including 12 and 6 assists against Portland State and 11 and 6 boards against Sacramento State.
Brooklyn Hicks
School: Montana Grizzlies
Stats: 8.7 PTS | 4.1 REB | 0.9 AST | 47.2% FG
Hicks has had a few moments pop. The best one was 18 at Texas A&M back in November. Since then, it’s been more of a complementary role, with a couple of 15-point games in January and a 13-point outing against Weber State.
James Evans Jr.
School: Cal State Northridge Matadors
Stats: 6.3 PTS | 2.1 REB | 1.3 AST | 39.5% FG | 36.5% 3PT
Evans is one of the tougher ones to pin down. The scoring spikes are there, including 22 at UC San Diego on Jan. 15 and multiple 17-point games, but it hasn’t been consistent night to night. More flashes than rhythm so far.
Pape N’Diaye
School: Xavier Musketeers
Stats: 2.0 PTS | 5.0 REB | 25.0% FG
N’Diaye’s role is pretty clear. It’s minutes, size, and rebounding. The scoring hasn’t been a factor outside of a 10-point game against Creighton in December, but he’s had games with five or six boards when he’s on the floor.
There isn’t one story here.
Some guys clearly found more opportunities. Some landed in similar roles. Some never really got the full season to show what they could.
