Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball - 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

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Topic: 2026 Transfer Portal Prospects

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oldkatz

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Posted: 6/13/2026 12:59 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

SBH wrote:expand_more

Clearly, it was never about the college experience.

Only if he could start or be the sixth man off the bench . . .

He might have been literally the sixth man off the bench, swabbo.

"All my inside sources tell me I have no inside sources." Salvatore "money bucks" Mafiosiano.

OhioCatFan

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Posted: 6/13/2026 6:46 PM

oldkatz wrote:expand_more

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

SBH wrote:expand_more

Clearly, it was never about the college experience.

Only if he could start or be the sixth man off the bench . . .

He might have been literally the sixth man off the bench, swabbo.

Dear Dogface: You do have a point!

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FJC31

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Posted: 6/17/2026 9:53 AM

Ilija Milijasevic (DePaul), who we expressed early interest in, has committed to Wright State.

FishBates

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Posted: 6/18/2026 7:17 PM

This guy was recruited over at USC but now says he will give college ball another try. https://usctrojans.com/images/2022/9/16/Kijani_Wright.jpg

Was 59th ranked player in h.s. and 7th ranked PF

Would he consider a low-ball offer?

FJC31

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Posted: 7/16/2026 12:40 PM

New commit is Marin Petkov. 6’4 CG who played for MZT Skopje in Adriatic - ABA Liga 2. Averaged 11ppg this past season and shot 38% from 3.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petko

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da3Cqz7N6dQ/?igsh=MXJ2NjY1cXN... ==

FJC31

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Posted: 7/16/2026 12:47 PM

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

Last Edited: 7/16/2026 12:49:17 PM by FJC31

FearLeon

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Posted: 7/16/2026 1:16 PM

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

It's quite obvious that what was done in the past wasn't working and someone got into his ear about putting all the chips in the middle of the table on international players. Going to be interesting to see how it all pans out. Feels like the average age of current roster is now 34.....ha.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months

Andrew Ruck

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Posted: 7/16/2026 1:20 PM

Is he considered a Freshman??? No, there is some type of clock that starts with age right?

At this point I am not even gonna try to get a grip on all our pieces. Just gonna show up in November and figure it who is who and who I like and don't like as we go.

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shabamon

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Posted: 7/16/2026 1:20 PM

If gaining Simmons and Breath last year was an emphasis on rebounding, I now see a clear emphasis on shooting.

It's surprising that all these older international guys are interested in/not opposed to being college students in America.

Last Edited: 7/16/2026 1:23:27 PM by shabamon

QuantCat

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Posted: 7/16/2026 1:35 PM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

I think he would be a 1 year rental. The new age clock starts ticking at 19 for international guys, so his 5 year clock goes:

2022-23 (19 - Y1/5) - Ma Superleague
2023-24 (20 - Y2/5) - Ma Superleague
2024-25 (21 - Y3/5) - Ma Superleague
2025-26 (22 - Y4/5) - Ma Superleague
2026-27 (23 - Y5/5) - Ohio

GoCats105

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Posted: 7/16/2026 3:12 PM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

I'm being overly cautious with this haul other than Mitchell and KDA. It feels like an overcorrection to me. And I gotta wonder if we're getting these guys on the cheap because they are international players.

FearLeon

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Posted: 7/16/2026 3:18 PM

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

Not ready to declare desperation from the staff in regards to signing all of the international players. But with a new AD on board, Boals knows he needs a big year to keep his job. I believe the non-con schedule will reflect not many other big games besides Purdue. Boals is going to do everything he can to put this team in the best position to start the conference season with 10+ wins. I'm expecting a lot of SWAC Nov/Dec games.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months

Last Edited: 7/16/2026 3:50:30 PM by FearLeon

OhioCatFan

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Posted: 7/16/2026 4:46 PM

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

. . . And I gotta wonder if we're getting these guys on the cheap because they are international players.

Yes, Sir! And, I think that was a very wise and overdue move.

FJC31

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Posted: 7/17/2026 10:35 AM

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

I think this is fair. Who knows the cost of international players at the mid-major level is. However, history tells us more expensive player acquisitions don't always prove to be better across all sports and all levels.

Our big 3 in my opinion going into the season is Javan, KDA, and Kolton. Boals has surrounded them with more size and shooting. For that, I'm excited to see how this plays out.

Mike Coleman

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Posted: 7/22/2026 8:45 AM

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

To add to this, Petkov is 23 and comes from former staffer Mike Cifliku’s agency.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marin-Petkov/Summary...

I think the first link I added was wrong.

Agree. Seems like we will likley have a big improvement in shooting and maturity. Hopefully athleticism and on-ball defense. That's TBD. It's like Boals hit the slot machine and the first two hit “7” and the third is still spinning.

Bobcat Jerry

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Posted: 7/24/2026 12:36 AM

I'd love to see a competitive team by mid season. Kentucky seems to always have success with a one and done class. Maybe this formula will bring some success and interest.

FishBates

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Posted: 7/25/2026 7:23 AM

Bobcat Jerry wrote:expand_more

I'd love to see a competitive team by mid season. Kentucky seems to always have success with a one and done class. Maybe this formula will bring some success and interest.

It's hard if not nearly impossible to have instant chemistry but sometimes superior talent can win games just on that. Maybe not on the road at Purdue but maybe against much of the yet to be named OOC opponents.

Let take a look at the dreaded UT-"Martians" last season who loaded up on Euro talent. Early season road wins at UNLV and Bradley. Okay, that's not Duke and Kansas but still quality wins for the Skyhawks. Then they went to Florida State and trailed by 3 at halftime in a not embarrassing loss.

Their entire roster was almost all international including North Macedonia. They improved from 14 wins to 22 wins. That's fairly substantial.

OhioCatFan

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Posted: 7/25/2026 10:20 AM

FishBates wrote:expand_more

Bobcat Jerry wrote:expand_more

I'd love to see a competitive team by mid season. Kentucky seems to always have success with a one and done class. Maybe this formula will bring some success and interest.

Always love me a Martian reference.

Bobcat Jerry

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Posted: 7/25/2026 4:18 PM

Great example for the "Euro's" / Martians invading Athens. Apparently Boals is investing in this approach since other options simply have not worked. It wont be a secret should this experiment go well.

M.D.W.S.T

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Posted: 7/28/2026 2:05 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

. . . And I gotta wonder if we're getting these guys on the cheap because they are international players.

Yes, Sir! And, I think that was a very wise and overdue move.

Probably not as much as you might think.

A lot of these guys were making between $50-$100K already. Unless they think this is an opportunity for more tape in America or last chance at an NBA dream, I'd be stunned if any of these guys were pulling down less than high fives, low six figures.

OhioCatFan

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Posted: 7/28/2026 11:50 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

GoCats105 wrote:expand_more

. . . And I gotta wonder if we're getting these guys on the cheap because they are international players.

Yes, Sir! And, I think that was a very wise and overdue move.

I wasn't saying that we are paying them burrito buggy wages, but that we are paying far less than what we'd pay a domestic player with the same level of talent and experience. I don't have any inside informtion, but that's my general sense of the matter based on some highly educated guesses. I have been around the block in Athens and Ohio University a few times. [No, I did not trip the light fantastic with Margaret Boyd, but I think oldkatz might have.]

FishBates

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Posted: 7/29/2026 6:49 AM

And for the first time in a while OCF and Fish are in total agreement.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 7/29/2026 4:56 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

A lot of these guys were making between $50-$100K already. Unless they think this is an opportunity for more tape in America or last chance at an NBA dream, I'd be stunned if any of these guys were pulling down less than high fives, low six figures.

I think you might be overestimating how much low-level European leagues pay. Especially to young guys.

In Macedonia, median seems to be something like $20k/year. In Belgium it's something like ~48k per year, and in Bosnia it looks be something like ~$24k.

Basketball in Europe is super, super top heavy.