Chris Jans’ first roster at Mississippi State will feature a familiar face.
Forward Will McNair Jr., who played for Jans at New Mexico State, committed to join the Bulldogs on Friday afternoon. McNair entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native was a regular starter for the Aggies last season, averaging 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. A redshirt sophomore, McNair shot 55 percent from the field and 53 percent from the free-throw line for New Mexico State, which made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
McNair was one of six Aggies to enter the portal after Jans was hired by Mississippi State on March 20. Guard Sir’Jabari Rice is among those yet to decide on their next destination.
McNair joins Oregon State transfer guard Dashawn Davis on the Bulldogs’ roster. Davis averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for a Beavers team that finished just 3-28. The Bronx, New York, native officially signed with Mississippi State on Thursday.
Hours after Mississippi State added New Mexico State transfer Will McNair Jr, the Bulldogs’ roster got thinner.
Forwards D.J. Jeffries and Derek Fountain entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report Friday.
They are the third and fourth scholarship players to leave the Bulldogs after Ben Howland was fired March 17. Forward Javian Davis and guard Camryn Carter previously entered the portal.
Jeffries started 31 of 34 games for Mississippi State last season, averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The former five-star recruit transferred in from Memphis but had a down season in Starkville, shooting 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3.
Fountain, a sophomore from Olive Branch, averaged just 1.8 points per game in 25 contests. He came on strong late in his freshman season but was used sparingly this season, starting just three games.
The Bulldogs lost Carter to the transfer portal on Tuesday, and star guard Iverson Molinar declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility March 25.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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