Basketball transfers ease into their roles

The three players who transferred into the Georgia State men’s basketball program are having different experiences as the Panthers’ season unfolds.

It is happening exactly as coach Ron Hunter expected for Justin Seymour, Willie Clayton and Devin Mitchell as the Panthers (5-3) prepare to host Alabama A&M tonight at the GSU Sports Arena. The team is coming off a 83-52 win over Georgia Southwestern, a victory that made Hunter the school’s all-time winningest coach.

Seymour, a guard who transferred from Murray State, appears to be having the softest landing, primarily because, Hunter said, he was able to play last year. A graduate student — the first Hunter has taken at Georgia State — Seymour didn’t have to sit out a season, per NCAA transfer rules.

Seymour leads the Panthers in 3-pointers (14) and is second in scoring average (9.4 ppg). His outside shooting (56 percent from beyond the arc) has been a strength for a team that struggled with 3-pointers last season (34.2 percent).

“Definitely a home run,” Hunter said. “I really like what he brings to our team.”

Seymour said another reason he has been able to transition so easily is because of experiences he had at Utah, his original school, and then after he transferred to Murray State. A Wheeler High product, Seymour has become used to change and knows how to listen to a new coach and new teammates.

Clayton, a forward who transferred from Charlotte, hasn’t had as easy a transition as Seymour. Hunter said that’s due to sitting out last year and he has needed more time to get his timing and reactions back.

Clayton is the Panthers’ leading rebounder (8.5 per game) and is fifth in scoring (7.5). His 3.5 offensive rebounds per game have been welcome by a team that struggled in that area for several seasons. Hunter estimates the Panthers are getting 10 extra possession a game because of Clayton’s efforts, describing him as the best rebounder he has ever coached.

“One thing that doesn’t go away is rebounding,” Hunter said.

Hunter also believes Clayton’s shot will round into form by the time conference play starts Dec. 31 at Georgia Southern, but he needs to improve his free-throw shooting (28.6 percent). The coach won’t play him in the final five minutes of games because of his inefficiency at the line.

“You can’t let that define you,” Clayton said. “You have to find other things that make you stand out.”

Clayton will graduate today after completing his degree in Sociology and then will play tonight. He said he’s up to 30 ticket because of all the friends and family members coming to town.

Mitchell, a guard who transferred from Alabama, hasn’t been as quick to find his rhythm because he hasn’t played in two years. He did not see much time with the Tide in 2014-15 and sat out last year after transferring. Hunter expected it would take time for Mitchell, which is one reason the program added Seymour.

Mitchell is averaging 3.8 points but scored a season-high 13 in the win over Georgia Southwestern.