UPDATE 3/17 3:23 P.M.: Senior forward Jarrett Hensley will also enter the transfer portal, bringing the total Salukis to announce their intentions on Sunday afternoon to four.  In 23 games this season with SIU, Hensley averaged 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and shot 48.4% from the field, 37% from beyond the arc, and 82.1% at the free throw line.  Hensley took to the floor for the first time with the Salukis this season on December 16 when they traveled to Wichita State after a temporary restraining order was placed against the NCAA, allowing all transfers waiting for word on if they would be allowed to play this year or have sit out the season to begin playing.  The NCAA later said the time played would not affect future eligibility.

The Saluki men’s basketball team lost three fan favorites Clarence Rupert, Scottie Ebube, and A.J. Ferguson will all enter the transfer portal when it opens Monday afternoon.

The three forwards all announced their intent within an hour apart of each other on Sunday afternoon.

Rupert came to SIU by way of the portal two years ago after being a part of St. Peter’s Cinderella run in 2022.  In 64 games for the Salukis these past two seasons, Rupert averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot 59.7% from the field.  He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Ebube, a redshirt sophomore, played 43 games in the past two years.  He averaged 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 67.9% from the field off the bench.  He electrified Banterra Center with his dunks.

Ferguson trasnfered to SIU in 2022 after spending time at East Central University (Oklahoma) his freshman year.  In his two years with the program, Ferguson played 36 games and started in 22 this past year.  He averaged 6.5 points in his career but 8.8 this past year.  He also averaged 4.0 rebounds the past years while shooting 48.2% from the field.

The trio make it now five total Salukis entering the transfer portal, joining the likes of Troy D’Amico and Kennard Davis, since Bryan Mullins was fired on Friday, March 8.