UMass small forward Matt Cross enters the Transfer Portal

UMass Minutemen small forward Matt Cross has entered the Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw.

Prior to playing for UMass, Cross was a four-star recruit who went to Louisville. Prior to that, he played for Miami, making this his third time in the portal. During his season with the Cardinals, Cross played in 28 games and averaged 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. That came a season after he played in 14 games for the Hurricanes.

While at UMass, Matt Cross was a star for the Minutemen. He started in 50 out of 53 games that he’s played in over the last two seasons. In the more recent 2023-24 season, he was a key figure on the team, noted for his hustle while averaging 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. On top of that, he shot .540 from the field and .329 from three-point range.

Matt Cross was an Atlantic 10 First-Team Selection for the 2023-24 season. He was also a NABC All-District Selection.

It was a good season overall for UMass basketball. The Minutemen missed out on a postseason tournament. However, at 20-11, the Minutemen made it to 20 wins in a season for the first time since the 2013-14 season. The school also announced that it would be moving to the MAC in all sports, leaving the Atlantic 10 in basketball.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

UMass and the Transfer Portal

The Transfer Portal opened on March 18th, the day after Selection Sunday, in college basketball. It will be open for 45 days from that point for players to enter.

Despite coming off a strong season and having continuity at head coach with Frank Martin returning, UMass has lost several players to the Transfer Portal. Now, Matt Cross is going to join a rapidly growing list of players that includes Keon Thompson and Josh Cohen among others.

Josh Cohen has had an interesting time in the portal, originally committing to transfer to Arkansas before head coach Eric Musselman left for USC. Cohen has since committed to following Musselman.

The Minutemen currently have three incoming freshmen committed to come to Amherst in the 2024 cycle. However, head coach Frank Martin will likely be active in the Transfer Portal as well to try and fill in the gaps on the team’s roster and replace the veteran talent that the Minutemen are losing in the portal.