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Battle and Jourdain were AAU teammates on the New Jersey Playaz, and Battle made Temple’s staff aware of Jourdain after joining the program.

Although returning to Temple remains an option for Jourdain, a new staff, the chance at a bigger role elsewhere and the departure of Battle make his chances of returning to Temple slim.

Zach Hicks

Hicks’ shooting, rebounding and size has intrigued enough Power Five schools to think he most likely won’t be back at The Liacouras Center in 202324.

The sophomore shot 35.6 percent from three this season, and set Temple’s single-game record for threes made in a game with 10 against Delaware State in 2021-22.

In his two years at Temple, Hicks averaged 8.95 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in his career, and shoots 36.3 percent from three.

The Hicks family has already met with DePaul, and has arranged meetings with Syracuse and Texas-El Paso.

Jamille Reynolds

Reynolds transferred from UCF to Temple as a sophomore and was dubbed “a generational talent” by third-team AllAAC guard Damian Dunn.

The big man was the first post-scoring threat that McKie was able to recruit, averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game in 60 percent shooting.

Because he transferred last season, Reynolds would be required to miss a season if he transferred again without receiving a waiver from the NCAA.

Considering how teammate Taj Thweatt couldn’t obtain a transfer waiver this season, and how Reynolds would be on his third team in three years, returning to Temple isn’t completely off the table.

Hysier Miller

After Reynolds, Miller is the most likely of the current portal entries to return to Temple. The South Philly native averaged 8.6 points on 36.9 percent from the field this season, and didn’t compensate for the poor shooting with playmaking as he averaged just 3.75 assists per game.

With his 6’1” frame and lack of athleticism, it’s hard to imagine Miller transferring up to higher-caliber programs.

Miller will be visiting conference rival Southern Methodist, which pays each of its basketball players $35,000, this weekend. The guard has also received major interest from Fordham.

Recruits

West Catholic Preparatory High School forward Zion Stanford is Temple’s only incoming freshman for the 2023 class. Stanford has already signed his National Letter of Intent and, according to his head coach Miguel Bocachica, will decide if he wants to be released after Temple hires a new coach.

His teammate, 2023 point guard Adam “Budd” Clark, has also reopened his recruitment. Clark was committed to Coppin State, but decommitted after the Eagles fired head coach Juan Dixon.

If Stanford remains committed, Temple’s new head coach could pursue Clark as a package deal.

Returning Players

Point guard Deuce Roberts will be redshirted and have four years of eligibility remaining as he didn’t play during the 2022-23 season.

Roberts didn’t have any Division I offers aside from Temple. However, it is possible that he transfers to a junior college to earn more.

The 2022 newcomers Shane Dezonie and Taj Thweatt would also be two-time transfers if they entered the portal, meaning they’ll likely return to avoid being forced to sit out next season.

Thweatt’s best friend and high school teammate at Wildwood Catholic Academy in New Jersey, sophomore forward Jahlil White, has not entered the portal. He was the key piece in Temple both recruiting and landing Thweatt. It doesn’t appear likely that he will leave the program.

Sophomore center Emmanuel Okpomo would be a two-time transfer, meaning he’d need a waiver like Reynolds. However, if Reynolds’ transfer is approved, Okpomo would have the inside track to being Temple’s starting center in 2023-24.

Freshman guard AK Fihla was a preferred walk-on from the NBA Academy in South Africa, and could earn a scholarship under Temple’s new staff.

javon.edmonds@temple.edu @javonedmonds45

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