As the Ragin’ Cajuns continue going through their offseason training, it’s a given that there will be a few tweaks to their roster. This month, point guard and Norcross, Georgia native Ty Harper entered the transfer portal, looking to take his talents elsewhere and showcase his game.
Harper, an early enrollee in December of 2020, selected Louisiana over a myriad of other programs, really making an impact early in his Cajuns career. Coming to Lafayette in 2020 with 20 games remaining, Harper played in each one, averaging 5.6 points per game during his freshman season.
His second year in the program wasn’t what many had hoped for due to inconsistent minutes. With Head Coach Bobby Marlin electing to dive deep into the transfer portal and snag a few gems (St. John’s transfer Greg Williams and San Jose State transfer Jalen Dalcourt,) it was a given Harper was likely to see less minutes.
Despite not seeing the floor as much, Harper still made an impact when available. He provided key defensive possessions and three starts throughout the 16 games he saw action in.
Now, Harper has the chance to go through the recruiting process again to find a program that best suits his game. With a few PAC-12 schools calling his phone before committing to Louisiana, Harper could go back to the West Coast and play his style of basketball over there.
Harper’s list of offers coming out of high school included USC, Virginia Tech and Nevada, among others. Providing a skill set that can translate well at the next level, it’s his freakish athleticism that separates him from his peers. Harper can simply jump out of the gym, giving highlight reel dunks on a consistent basis.
The Georgia native averaged nearly 16 points per game as a senior in 2019-20 at Santa Clarita Christian School in California. Attending Golden State Prep in the fall before coming to UL, Harper burst onto the scene quickly, gaining the attention of many schools.
The transfer portal has become the new normal for college athletics. With an immediate eligibility waiver, players no longer have to sit out a year like before. Simply entering the portal and finding your next destination, one can suit up and play as they please.
Harper now enters the next phase of his basketball career where his Ragin’ Cajuns history is in the rearview mirror and he looks for this chapter of basketball. A dynamic athlete with potential through the roof, Harper has a bright future ahead of him.