Valparasio leading scorer transfers to Iowa
All-Missouri Valley Conference forward Ben Krikke has transferred from Valparaiso to Iowa, Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery announced Monday.
The 6-foot-9, 220-pound Krikke scored 1,596 points in four seasons with the Beacons and reached double figures in 82 of 122 games. He led the Valley in scoring last season, averaging 19.4 points per game overall and 21 per game in conference games.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to become a Hawkeye,” Krikke said. “I am excited to get to campus. I can tell the school is rich in tradition and history and is serious about success both academically and athletically.
“I’m excited to be supported by such a vibrant fan base and get to be a part of such a great community. I want to do everything I can to help the team win games and contribute to the school’s legacy.”
Krikke, who started all 32 games, averaged 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. Krikke shot 55% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.
The native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, had 26 games with at least 15 points. He will have one season of eligibility with the Hawkeyes.
UConn guard transfers to St. John’s
UConn guard Nahiem Alleyne has become the third player to leave the program this month after helping the Huskies win the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-4 senior announced Sunday night on social media that he is transferring to St. John’s, posting a rendering of himself in a Red Storm uniform along with images of the Statue of Liberty, a New York cab, a sign for the school and coach Rick Pitino.
The post on Instagram received a “like” from UConn coach Dan Hurley.
The 3-point shooter and defensive specialist spent just one season at UConn, playing an average of just under 18 minutes a game and averaging 5.2 points. He averaged 7.2 points in UConn’s six NCAA Tournament games.
He spent his first three seasons at Virginia Tech and has one more year of eligibility remaining.
Alleyne joins guard Jordan Hawkins and center Adama Sanogo in leaving UConn this spring before exhausting their college eligibility. Both Sanogo and Hawkins have announced plays to enter the NBA draft.
Alleyne becomes the fourth transfer to join Pitino’s rebuilding effort at St. John’s, along with guards Daniss Jenkins and Cruz Davis, who followed their coach from Iona and VMI wing Sean Conway.