Eaglestaff to West Virginia: Kentucky Eyes Watkins Amid Transfer Shuffle
The ever-evolving college basketball landscape continues to twist and turn as the transfer portal remains abuzz with commitments, rumors, and high-stakes courtship from elite programs. West Virginia secured a significant win on the recruiting trail with the commitment of Treysen Eaglestaff, while Kentucky finds itself in hot pursuit of another high-impact player—Jamir Watkins. These developments paint a picture of two programs working diligently to reshape and reload for the coming season, albeit with contrasting circumstances and priorities.
Treysen Eaglestaff, a 6-foot-6 guard who starred at North Dakota, announced his decision to commit to West Virginia, giving new head coach Darian DeVries a much-needed win early in his tenure. Eaglestaff had been one of the most intriguing mid-major names in the portal. His combination of size, shooting ability, and versatility made him a coveted target among Power Five programs. He averaged 17.2 points per game this past season, along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists. More impressively, he shot nearly 39 percent from three-point range while attempting over seven triples per game—demonstrating his confidence and ability to stretch the floor in volume.
For a West Virginia team that endured a turbulent 2023-24 season following the resignation of Bob Huggins and a chaotic interim period, the addition of Eaglestaff is more than just a roster upgrade; it’s a statement of intent. The Mountaineers struggled mightily in the Big 12 last season, finishing near the bottom of the conference and failing to generate consistent offensive production. Eaglestaff’s scoring touch and playmaking upside offer immediate help on that front. While he may not single-handedly turn the program around, his arrival signals that the program is not content with merely rebuilding slowly—they want to compete.
Eaglestaff’s commitment also highlights how the transfer portal has changed the game for mid-major stars. Not long ago, a player from North Dakota might have had to wait until the NBA Draft process to get national attention. Now, with a strong season and a willingness to explore the portal, players like Eaglestaff can elevate themselves onto major conference radars. In this new reality, West Virginia landing a player of his caliber represents a savvy move—capitalizing on the increased visibility and opportunity offered by the portal era.
At the same time, Kentucky remains in the thick of the action as it attempts to finalize its roster under new head coach Mark Pope. Following the departure of John Calipari to Arkansas, Pope has been tasked with assembling a team largely from scratch. And while his approach may differ from the one-and-done model Kentucky fans grew used to, Pope seems focused on constructing a cohesive, veteran group through the portal—and Jamir Watkins could be a centerpiece of that plan.
Watkins, a 6-foot-7 wing from Florida State, entered the portal after averaging 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season. He was a matchup nightmare in the ACC, blending strength and quickness with a polished mid-range game and strong defensive instincts. In today’s positionless game, Watkins brings tremendous value as a two-way wing who can defend multiple spots, create offense off the bounce, and finish through contact. Those are traits any team would want—but for Kentucky, they’re essential.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Watkins has already drawn interest from multiple high-major programs, including Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas. Still, Kentucky remains one of the most intriguing potential destinations. Pope is reportedly selling a vision that centers around experience, winning, and giving players like Watkins the spotlight on the biggest stage in college basketball. With the Wildcats’ rabid fan base, national exposure, and clear path to a featured role, the pitch is resonating.
Kentucky’s pursuit of Watkins reflects a strategic shift. Pope has already landed key commitments in the portal, including Utah State’s Great Osobor and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Garrison, while also remaining active in recruiting 2025 talent. The idea appears to be building a team that blends toughness, IQ, and versatility. Rather than banking on raw freshman talent, Pope seems focused on bringing in players who know how to win—Watkins fits that mold perfectly.
Adding Watkins would also give Kentucky a critical piece on the wing—a position where the Wildcats lacked consistency in the final years under Calipari. He’d slot into a likely starting role and could be a go-to option in crunch time, especially in games that slow down into half-court battles. His ability to initiate offense, defend, and rebound makes him a plug-and-play star.
Of course, landing Watkins won’t be easy. The competition is fierce, and NIL considerations now play a significant role in recruitment. Kentucky is believed to be well-positioned on that front, but schools like Arkansas under Calipari are putting together aggressive NIL packages for top-tier portal talent. In a sense, Pope is not only selling a basketball opportunity—he’s selling a culture shift in Lexington. A new way of doing things, with a familiar end goal: winning championships.
Meanwhile, West Virginia’s addition of Eaglestaff represents one of the savvier under-the-radar moves in the portal cycle. He’s not a household name—yet—but his game suggests he could blossom into one. The move also speaks to DeVries’ philosophy. Coming from Drake, where player development was the calling card, DeVries seems committed to building a roster with shooters, skill, and mental toughness. Eaglestaff checks all those boxes.
From a stylistic standpoint, Eaglestaff should thrive in West Virginia’s evolving offense. If DeVries institutes a system similar to what he ran at Drake—built around spacing, movement, and shooting—Eaglestaff could be unleashed as a primary scoring option. He can operate off the ball, attack closeouts, and punish sagging defenses with deep threes. In the Big 12, where physical play and perimeter toughness are required, Eaglestaff will have to adjust quickly—but his skill set translates.
As the offseason continues, both Kentucky and West Virginia illustrate how programs are adapting to the transfer portal era. They’re not just reacting to departures—they’re aggressively targeting players who fit a broader vision. For West Virginia, that vision includes reclaiming competitiveness in the Big 12 and reestablishing identity. For Kentucky, it’s about redefining what winning looks like in Lexington while still chasing banners.
The next few weeks will be telling. Kentucky’s ability to secure a commitment from Watkins could determine whether Pope’s first-year squad becomes an SEC contender or simply a solid transitional group. Conversely, West Virginia’s bet on Eaglestaff could pay off handsomely if the North Dakota star adjusts quickly to the rigors of Power Five competition.
There’s also a broader narrative at play. Both commitments—one already made, one potentially looming—highlight the new normal in college basketball. No longer are rosters primarily built through recruiting classes and long-term development. Now, it’s about agility. Flexibility. Identifying the right pieces at the right time and bringing them into a culture that can amplify their impact.
Treysen Eaglestaff might not have started the season on the radar of major programs, but his play forced them to take notice. Now he heads to Morgantown with a chance to be a centerpiece. Jamir Watkins, meanwhile, is weighing his options carefully—but Kentucky fans are hoping their program, long defined by elite talent and expectations, can once again strike gold.
If Pope can close the deal, it would signal more than just another transfer win. It would affirm a new era of Kentucky basketball—one rooted in experience, toughness, and adaptability. And it would send a message to the rest of the SEC that the Wildcats are still hunting titles, even if they’re doing it a little differently than before.
As the portal churns and rosters reshuffle, college basketball’s offseason drama remains must-watch. Whether it’s Eaglestaff lighting it up in Morgantown or Watkins suiting up in Lexington, the ripple effects of these moves will echo throughout the 2025 season and beyond.
