Former UAB transfer guard Ja'Borri McGhee discusses decision to transfer to Mississippi State
After a somewhat quiet start in the transfer portal, Mississippi State locked down one of its top targets on Sunday evening. Former UAB transfer guard Ja’Borri McGhee announced on social media his intentions to transfer to Mississippi State with one season of remaining eligibility.
Earlier this weekend, the McComb native noted that his final two choices were Mississippi State and Ole Miss. But due to his previous relationships with State’s staff, the former juco transfer felt comfortable with his Bulldog decision. McGhee is State’s first transfer commitment of the offseason.
McGhee began his prep career at South Pike High School before playing his senior season at Winfield (Ala.) High School.
“I let them know earlier today,” McGhee recalled. “Really, being familiar with the coaching staff already with them recruiting me earlier when I was in high school, that was a factor. Then the position to go back home and play at the highest level.”
This past season McGhee averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds a game while starting all 37 games for the Blazers. McGee shot 51.7% from the floor, 40.8% from 3 point range and 68.6% at the foul line.
Another factor behind McGhee’s decision was the opportunity to play alongside good friend and All-SEC guard Josh Hubbard.
“On top of all that, being a good friend of Josh Hubbard was big, too,” added the 6-foot-1 and 205-pound McGhee. “I saw how he developed there and want to go there to help beside him.”
Over the past week or so, McGhee has talked often with head coach Chris Jans. And he noted that Jans believes in his ability to help take State to another level in the postseason.
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“I had a good conversations with Coach Jans,” explained McGhee. “He told me what he saw in me and what I can bring to the program to help them go far in the (NCAA) Tournament.”
McGhee played some of his best basketball down the stretch of his junior season. In his last three games of the regular season, McGhee had 22, 27 and 25-point performances, and he also averaged 12 points and four assists in UAB’s NIT run.
For the Bulldogs, McGhee is expected to log minutes at both backcourt positions.
“We talked about combo guard,” McGhee remarked. “However they need and whoever has the ball. If Josh gets it faster than I can or vice versa. So kind of a two-guard system for me there and I really like that.”
While McGhee did experience the postseason this year, his goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament fell short as UAB dropped an 84-72 decision to Memphis in the AAC championship game. Now he has another opportunity to experience March Madness for the first time next year.
“That’s big time,” noted McGhee. “For a program like that to want to recruit a guy like me, it shows how much work I put into the game and they know how much I want to win. Playing for a winning program like that is only going to bring the best out of me. And doing that will only help us take it farther as a program.”
