Mike White, Georgia lose first player to the transfer portal after frustrating finish

It is not everything, but it most certainly is something. Not that far removed from the end of the season, the Georgia Bulldogs have lost their first player from last year's team to the transfer portal. Junior forward Dylan James became the first UGA player to put his name in the portal on Friday. The Winter Haven, Florida native averaged 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season at Georgia.

Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com kept tabs that James is in fact the first UGA player in the portal.

James committed to play for Mike White out of high school. Over the last three seasons, James has appeared in 87 games, making 18 career starts in the process. While he has never been more than a rotational player at any point of his UGA career, his departure is significant for a few reasons. He was every bit a White recruit. More importantly, it suggests he wants to get more playing time next year.

Let's unpack a bit more what James' entry into the transfer portal means for Georgia next season.

Dylan James hitting the transfer portal cannot sit well with Mike White

In James' three years at Georgia, he was part of two tournament teams. Georgia won over 20 games each season he played in Athens. However, for a guy who grew up just outside of Orlando and deep in Florida Gators territory, you have to wonder if James feels like he was sold a bill of goods with White. Furthermore, White should be back with the team next season, but an ACC vacancy just opened up...

While James' entry into the transfer portal is probably not premonition when it comes to the possibility of White leaving for North Carolina State, it is something to think about... What is really important is who else could be hitting the portal off UGA's roster? James may have been the first player to hit the portal, but he is not going to be the last. We have to wonder is a star is moving on...

Truth be told, Jeremiah Wilkinson and Marcus Millender's commentary about how unprepared Georgia was coming into the Saint Louis game could signify one of them may leave. Then again, Wilkinson just got here from Cal. Would the Powder Springs native want to leave Athens this soon? As for Millender, the Houston native has already played at UTSA and South Alabama in his college career.

For now, James hitting the portal is not the end of the world, but we should expect more to follow suit.