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Georgia basketball uses the transfer portal to its advantage

By Savannah Leigh

UNCASVILLE, CT - NOVEMBER 16: Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys controls the ball against the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks during the first half during NCAA men's basketball at Mohegan Sun on November 16, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Cowboys won 80-58. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - NOVEMBER 16: Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys controls the ball against the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks during the first half during NCAA men's basketball at Mohegan Sun on November 16, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Cowboys won 80-58. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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Georgia basketball may have seen many transfers leave the program, but head coach Mike White is using the transfer portal to his advantage by bringing in some of the best talent.

The Dawgs picked up Oklahoma State forward Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe.

He is a Brampton, Ontario native that came out of high school as a three-star, the No. 37 power forward, and the No.1 Ontario prospect in 2020.

At 6-7 and 195-pounds, Moncrieffe is a big guy that Georgia could use in the paint.

Georgia basketball dips into the transfer portal for another talented player.

This addition is the Dawgs’ fourth out of the transfer portal as they’ve also brought in Jusaun Holt from Alabama, Justin Hill from Longwood and Terry Roberts from Bradley.

It’s technically the fifth guy as White convinced Kario Oquendo to stay in Athens, but four guys who weren’t a Georgia player beforehand.

The Dawgs now have the No. 3 transfer team ranking on 247Sports behind Arkansas and Providence with this latest addition.

Assistant coach Erik Pastrana recruited Moncrieffe to Oklahoma State and was a big reason the Pokes got him. He is also a big reason the Dawgs got him this time around.

Pastrana hinted on Twitter that this wouldn’t be the last pick-up out of the portal for the Dawgs this week.

Moncrieffe averaged nine points and 5.3 rebounds a game as a freshman at Oklahoma State. He shot 51% from the floor, and one of the best stats is his 2.4 offensive boards a game.

His first season looked like Moncrieffe was on the hot streak, but as a sophomore, he averaged 4.2 points a game and 3.9 boards.  However, he averaged 51% from the floor again and 14.8 minutes in the 30 games.

Moncrieffe can be an excellent asset for the Dawgs. He should be able to come in and learn from a staff that already knows him.

Georgia gives him a great opportunity to get his production back to what it was as a freshman, if not better. After watching some of his games from high school and Oklahoma State — Moncrieffe is tough.

He is aggressive and has a great energy level which the Dawgs need. Moncrieffe would make a great addition to Oquendo and Bridges as a bigger guy down low that can give them second chances with his rebounding abilities.

Not to mention, Moncrieffe can put up points, too, so it gives the Dawgs another weapon on offense. White trusts his assistant coaches, and if Pastrana wants him, he must have some game.

Next. Georgia football: What to expect at the 2022 NFL Draft. dark

Georgia basketball still has some room to work with regarding scholarship numbers, so the Dawgs will look to keep adding players out of the transfer portal. Georgia has five scholarships to use for this upcoming season with the Moncrieffe addition.

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