Rodney Terry talks transfer portal additions, what the Longhorns are still after for the 2024-25 season

DESTIN, Fla. — Texas men’s basketball head coach Rodney Terry made his way to SEC Spring Meetings ahead of the Longhorns’ first season in a new league. During his time on the beach, he was able to discuss all five members of the No. 26 transfer portal class according to On3’s rankings and elaborate on whether his staff was done in the transfer portal or not.

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“Our staff has done a great job,” Terry said Tuesday. “We’ve gotten off to a great start in the portal. I think just like anyone this time of year still, no one’s completely done. You’re always working and trying to see how you can improve and continue to try to put the best roster together for this coming season. But I like where we are. We’ve done a pretty good job of targeting guys that we’ve wanted and we’ve been able to get some of the guys that we’ve wanted.”

Malik Presley, G, Vanderbilt

Rodney Terry: “Another young player, another player we’d love to have had in our program a year ago. We really wanted to bring him in a year ago and redshirt him. He had a chance to go and play. Started five games in the SEC last year for (Jerry Stackhouse). Good young player, one who wants to be at Texas and will continue to develop over the course of his time with us.”

Presley was ranked as the No. 649 overall prospect and the No. 137 shooting guard in the transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Jordan Pope, G, Oregon State

Rodney Terry: “Jordan Pope is going to be really good for us. He can score the basketball. He can distribute the basketball. He’s got good size… at 6-2, almost 6-3.”

Pope was ranked as the No. 46 overall prospect and the No. 3 combo guard in the transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Julian Larry, G, Indiana State

Rodney Terry: “I think Julian Larry is a really good player. He’s a winner. He’s won at every level. He’s won everywhere he’s been. He’s going to bring tremendous leadership for us.”

Larry was ranked as the No. 120 prospect and the No. 30 point guard in the transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Tramon Mark, G, Arkansas

Rodney Terry: “Good range on the perimeter… can get downhill, something we didn’t have last year, with size. Can create some separation and space for himself as well. Good passer, capable three-point shooter. Giving the scouting report on him right now, but good player. Was one of the top layers coming out of high school in the state of Texas. Had a great run at Houston. Been around winning and knows what winning is about. Excited about him.”

Mark was ranked as the No. 27 prospect and the No. 7 shooting guard in the portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Jayson Kent, F, Indiana State

Rodney Terry: “Jayson Kent is another guy that had a great year last year. Can stretch the floor for us. Great body. Can defend the four and the five. Came into college as a perimeter player, so he has good ball skills as well. Elite cutter, he’s going to be a good player for us. Jayson is a good player. Going to be a really good positionless player for us. We’re excited about what he brings to the table.”

Kent was ranked as the No, 104 overall prospect and the No. 21 power forward in the transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Next steps?

Terry and company have two remaining scholarships available. Does he intend to fill both? Terry wouldn’t say yes or no, but mentioned it as a possibility.

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“At the moment, we still have two available,” Terry said. “Staff’s doing a great job working hard right now, trying to assess what’s best for us and what continues to help us in regards to trying to have a really good team this season. I think we’ll just continue to work through that. It’s a work in progress.”

An additional big is the most pressing need to join Kadin Shedrick, Ze’Rik Onyema, and Nic Codie.