Story by
Why Aaron Deloney spurned the transfer portal to return to Vermont basketball
- Story by
- Why Aaron Deloney spurned the transfer portal to return to Vermont basketball
Not long after the University of Vermont men's basketball team lost in the NCAA Tournament, Aaron Deloney placed his name in the transfer portal, hoping to land with a program closer to his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
John Becker understood: "Supportive, but sad," the 12th-year Catamount bench boss said.
Advertisement
But Deloney's second home — Burlington, Vermont — offered enough for th e soon-to-be fifth year guard to pull out of the portal .
Three weeks since news broke of his intentions to transfer, Deloney spoke to local media Thursday on his decision to remain with the Catamounts for his final year of playing eligibility. Like all NCAA athletes, Deloney gained an additional year from the 2020-21 COVID season, which did not count against playing eligibility.
"A lot of people don't know, but I entered (the portal) due to some family stuff in hopes of trying to get back home so I can be with them," Deloney said. "Instead of going to another school, I just thought it would be cool to finish out here, where I am loved, know the system and another opportunity to get another championship."
More: Vermont men's basketball tracker: Keeping up with 2023 offseason news
Advertisement
The quick-footed, sharp-shooting Deloney said he heard from a "ton of schools" during his open recruitment: Purdue, teams in the Mountain West, including Wyoming, and the Big Sky Conference were among those who had conversations with Deloney about a potential transfer.
Wyoming appeared to have piqued Deloney's interest the most. But the America East's two-time sixth man award winner felt a connection with the Catamounts he didn't want to lose.
"It didn't really feel right in my stomach," Deloney said of going elsewhere. "I know everything here, I know how good the fans are going to be, I know my teammates."
When Deloney told Becker he wanted to return, Becker said they worked "through some things" and the perception in the current climate of college basketball with the transfer market and opportunities with name, image and likeness (NIL) for college athletes.
Advertisement
"It's a player-empowerment era, and I'm all for it, but we have to be careful about this where every player on your roster goes into the portal to test their worth, test their value and then to come back if they want to," Becker said. "This was a little bit of a different situation. He feels really excited about being back."
More: March Madness: Coverage of UVM basketball teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament
Deloney produced his best statistical season this past winter. He recorded career highs in points (11.6 ppg), rebounds (2.3 rpg), assists (1.8 apg) and 3-point percentage (40.3%). He also took the most field-goal attempts (132 of 295) and 3-pointers (64 of 149) of his career as the Catamounts won 23 games and captured the America East tournament title for the second straight season.
Deloney's return also fills a leadership void for the Catamounts, who had fifth-year guards Robin Duncan, Finn Sullivan, Dylan Penn and Kam Gibson exhaust their eligibility this winter. The Catamounts still have four scholarships to fill this offseason to reach the 13 player limit.
Advertisement
"Having AD, he is going to be leader of this team," Becker said. "The talent and the production on the court speak for themselves ... This will be his team."
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Deloney said is ready to chase a three-peat.
"With so many guards leaving, there's an opportunity for me to start to be the 1 or maybe the 2," Deloney said. "I'm ready for whatever role is out there. I want to win again."
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com . Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5 .
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont men's basketball: Why Aaron Deloney spurned transfer portal
