Boston College basketball fans may not recognize many faces when their team opens its season at home Monday against The Citadel in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
The Eagles lost all five starters from last season’s team, which finished 20-16 overall and 8-12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Center Quentin Post graduated and the other four left through the transfer portal.
Those returning include guard Chas Kelly III (3.7 points per game), guard Donald Hand Jr. (5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game) and forward Elijah Strong (2.7 points).
Boston College coach Earl Grant said roster turnover is just part of today’s game.
“I think it’s an ever-changing environment,” Grant said. “I can’t really control that… This is where we are, 2024, right? But in terms of culture, you’re just trying to get players that have good character, that fit what you think is important to win and off the field.”
Offseason additions include transfers Dion Brown (UMBC), Chad Fenning (St. Bonaventure) and Josh Beadle (Clemson). Fenning, a 6-foot-9 player, averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games last season.
“(Venning) is a physical presence on both sides of the ball and can be elite with his shot-blocking ability,” Grant said.
The Citadel finished 11-21 overall and 3-15 in the Southern Conference last season. Keenan Davis, a 6-foot-5 guard, is the lone returning player. Smith, the team’s leading scorer in 2023-24 at 16.2 points per game, transferred to the College of Charleston, but freshman Izzy Whaley is someone who can make an immediate impact.
“Eze is a fast-moving goalkeeper who has the ability to score as well as create chances for others,” Citadel coach Ed Conroy said. “Our team, with so many new faces, will certainly face challenges from the start, but these are the types of opportunities that will prepare us for our Southern Conference schedule.”
– Media at the field level