King decides to leave Siena
CBA graduate says he enjoyed time as Saint but won’t be returning
Jordan King, a third-team ALLMAAC performer this season, says he will transfer to a new school.
If there was a prime candidate to stay put in this transfer-happy college basketball world, it seemed to be Siena sophomore guard Jordan King.
He’s a CBA graduate who had no scholarship offers before hometown school Siena brought him on as a preferred walk-on two years ago. King worked hard to develop himself into a thirdteam all-metro Atlantic Athletic Conference player this season.
That’s why it was surprising when King confirmed Wednesday he is entering the NCAA transfer portal and won’t return to the Saints for his junior season. He said he notified coach Carmen Maciariello earlier in the day.
The news was first reported by verbalcommits.com.
“This season was definitely a rough season going on with COVID and everything,” King said. “Something clicked in my mind and I just wasn’t having the same mental health that I usually do and I think it was just time for me to get away from everything.”
King said he will play college basketball somewhere next season, but he isn’t leaving open the option of returning to Siena.
“It definitely is (hard to leave) because I just love all the support that I was getting from all the Albany people and all the Siena fans,” King said. “But I just sat down with my mom and we talked and it was definitely a hard decision for me to make, but I just feel like it was my best
decision.”
King earned a scholarship his sophomore season. He averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range while starting all 17 games this season.
“I appreciate coach Carm even giving me the walk-on spot last year,” King said. “Without him, I wouldn’t be in the situation I am today. I’m definitely appreciative of everything he’s done for me, but I think my time at Siena is up and I will be moving on.”
His decision came just a day after Maciariello signed a threeyear contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
King said he is reaching out to Jhason Clark, his former coach with the AAU Albany City Rocks, to look into transfer opportunities. He said the Siena coaching staff also offered him any assistance he needs.
“We wish him the best,” Maciariello said by text. He declined further comment.
King said he was happy with his role on the team.
“This has nothing to do with basketball,” King said. “I was very happy basketball-wise. There’s just some things going on with my life where I feel I needed to step away from Albany.”
Asked if playing in his hometown could have a “fishbowl” atmosphere, King responded, “Yeah, it can.”
“They (his two years at Siena) were great,” King said. “Like I said, I’m still appreciative of that (walk-on) spot from last year and I worked hard to be in the position that I am today. But being at Siena was definitely great. Had a great two years here.”
His departure leaves Siena with three scholarships to give for next season. Siena graduated MAAC Player of the Year Manny Camper, who is pursuing an NBA career.
Note: Siena men's basketball assistant coach Harley Fuller, a Gloversville native and Broadalbin-perth graduate, announced Thursday night he is leaving the program.