Eley, Tekin enter portal
Siena men’s basketball sophomore guard Michael Eley dove into the NCAA transfer portal on Monday morning, the day it opened.
Verbalcommits.com reported first and Siena confirmed Eley entered the portal, less than a week after the Saints concluded a 4-28 season with a first-round exit against Niagara in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.
It was also a disappointing season for Eley, the 2023 MAAC Rookie of the Year, who battled leg injuries. He averaged 13.3 points per game and shot 38.1 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3-point range. He missed 13 games, though he did return for the MAAC Tournament.
Eley, from Fort Wayne, Ind., didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and a text message for comment.
“I think it’s about him wanting to be in a bigger market honestly,” texted Michael Stanley, Eley’s prep school coach at Florida Sports Academy, who intended to speak to Eley later on Monday.
Later in the day, Siena sophomore point guard Zek Tekin also entered the portal. A native of Turkey, Tekin began the season as the starting point guard, replacing Javian Mccollum, who transferred to Oklahoma after last season. Tekin fought inconsistency and injuries and averaged 9.0 points per game with 69 assists and 77 turnovers.
“Siena very nice school but not good experience for Zek,” his father, Mustafa, wrote. “Best not to talk about it. Hope next team he will be happy.”
Siena freshman forward Max Frazier also went into the portal. He averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds over scant playing time in 20 games.
Eley stayed at Siena after a promising rookie season when he averaged 9.4 points per game. He signed a name, image and likeness deal with Saints March On, the Siena-affiliated collective. He said last summer he didn’t consider entering the portal after his freshman season and he and the team had “more to prove.”
His misfortune started in the season-opening win over Holy Cross, when he landed awkwardly in the final minute. He injured his ankle and missed six of the next eight games.
Siena coach Carmen Maciariello couldn’t be reached for comment. He has two years left on his contract. He received a commitment last week from Brooklyn high school point guard Jakai Sanders.
Siena has lost a series of talented players into the transfer portal, including Jalen Pickett (Penn State), Mccollum, Colby Rogers (Wichita State) and CBA graduate Jordan King (East Tennessee, Richmond).