Old Dominion lands SMU transfer; Norfolk State adds a pair of players

NORFOLK — ’Tis the season for transfers in local basketball programs.

Old Dominion coach Jeff Jones announced the addition of Charles Smith IV, a transfer from Southern Methodist, to the Monarchs’ roster Wednesday. A pair of players reportedly plan to transfer to Norfolk State.

Smith is a 6-foot-5, 185-pound guard from Atlanta with three years of eligibility remaining.

“We are very excited to welcome Charles Smith IV (C4) to the ODU men’s basketball family,” Jones said. “His desire to compete and play in a winning program were apparent throughout the recruiting process.”

Forward Kris Bankston is joining NSU from Little Rock, according to verbalcommits.com. The 6-7 Bankston wil have one season of eligibility remaining.

Also joining the Spartans is former Rider guard Christian Ings, the same outlet reported.

As a sophomore at SMU in 2020-21, Smith played in all 17 games, averaging 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game, while connecting on 44.7% from 3-point range, which ranked second in the American Athletic Conference.

“I chose Old Dominion because it is a tremendous opportunity to attend a great school, develop under an amazing coaching staff, live in an awesome city and play for some of the best fans in the country,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to joining up with the team and getting to work.”

The Monarchs were last in Conference USA in 3-point shooting percentage, at just 28.8%.

“Obviously, his ability to shoot the 3-pointer addresses a big need for our squad,” Jones said.

The 6-8 Bankston averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds for Little Rock last season.

Ings, a 6-2 junior, scored 7.7 points per game and was second on the team with 52 assists last season for Rider, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference university in New Jersey.