Forward Jeffress enters transfer portal

A source confirmed to the Post-Gazette Friday afternoon that redshirt junior forward William Jeffress plans to enter the transfer portal for the 2024 offseason.

A 6-foot-7, 210-pound native of Erie, Pa., Jeffress averaged just 1.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game this season across 31 contests with two starts. Over four years, he made 22 starts in 78 games, averaging 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

After a preseason injury, Jeffress missed all of the 2022-2023 season, when he earned his redshirt. A class of 2020 recruit out of McDowell High School, Jeffress was a four-star prospect who made his first appearance for the Panthers at 17 years and just five months old in November. 2020 against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Though Jeffress’ stats were rarely impressive, his defensive presence boosted the Panthers in multiple contests, especially this past season. His defensive assistance against West Virginia helped the Panthers secure a blowout win against the Mountaineers for the first time since 2012 and was noted by Jeff Capel after the win.

But arguably Jeffress’ biggest contribution was his defensive effort in a 12-point comeback win against Wake Forest, when Jeffress took on the role of limiting Demon Deacons’ star center Efton Reid III to just two points in the final 9:46 of the

Jan. 31 home contest at Petersen Events Center.

Jeffress joins junior center Fede Federiko as the first two Panthers to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Due to his freshman season being the COVID year and his 2023-2024 season being a redshirt, Jeffress still has two years of eligibility left in his collegiate career.