BYU Basketball: Jahshire Hardnett to transfer
By Adam Gibby
It was thought to be a done deal earlier in the season, but now it is official, Jahshire Hardnett will transfer from BYU Basketball.
Although it comes as no surprise, BYU Basketball fans are going to have to take another punch in the gut after hearing that the junior point guard Jahshire Hardnett will be transferring from the team as a graduate transfer for his final year of eligibility.
Earlier this season it came out that Hardnett was planning to leave the team but Coach Dave Rose was able to persuade him to stay his final semester and get his degree from BYU. Although everyone close to the program knew that he would likely still transfer there was still some hope that he would remain on the team for one more season.
In his announcement he said, “The last 2 years have been amazing for my basketball career and me… I have decided to cut ties with the basketball program this semester [and] graduate this spring and become a Grad-transfer. I am now on the transfer portal and available to have contact with coaches…Than you again BYU, my teammates and coaches!!”
During his two year career at BYU, Hardnett had 47 starts and averaged 7.4 points, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and shot .814 from the free throw line.
Before injuring his hand shortly after deciding to finish out the season, Hardnett had shown potential to be BYU’s third scoring threat scoring more than 15 points in seven games including 24 points in a tough loss to Weber State. Perhaps the biggest loss will be his hustle. Although he did not lead the teams in steals or rebounds, he was arguably the best on ball defender on the team. Teams rarely found opportunities to drive to the basket when being guarded by him.
Hardnett has not stated where he is planning to transfer to, however sources close to the team say he will likely want to return to a place near his home in Mississippi.
Coming off a terrible end to the season, dropping three of their final four games, fans just hope that Hardnett is the only player to transfer, however there is high speculation that forward Yoeli Childs may leave to play overseas or in the NBA.