Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Set to Host Transfer Jose Perez

OXFORD, Miss. — It’s October. Fans are cheering on the Ole Miss football team and perhaps beginning to think about the upcoming basketball season. The new era of head coach Chris Beard is igniting a fire under the players and those close to the program — and this is not an ordinary October.

Normally, at this point on the calendar, we are gearing up to bring you player breakdowns and information from preseason press conferences. Most teams’ rosters appear are set by now, and few are working on adding players.

But….Ole Miss may not quite be done adding to the upcoming team.

The news broke yesterday that the Rebels are set to host West Virginia transfer Jose Perez Monday and Tuesday. Perez left the WVU program on Sept. 30th and took some time to evaluate his options. Perez’ decision to leave WVU was based on academics.

🚨 Transfer Portal Spotlight

Jose Perez
6’5” 220
Guard
Gardner Webb/Marquette/Manhattan
1 Year of Eligibility Remaining

2021-22 Stats (30 Games):
📊 19 PPG, 5 APG, 4 RPG, 1 SPG

📶 76 Career Starts, 1460 Career Points.

🏅 2019 Big South All-Freshman, 2022 All-MAAC.

🎥… pic.twitter.com/57HtwxTOps

— Transfer Portal for Playing Time (@TP4PT) July 5, 2023

Rumors began to swirl that Perez had a way to perhaps obtain eligibility this season, and shortly after he entered the portal, Ole Miss came calling. The news came via Joe Tipton of On3.com, who indicates others in the mix are Arizona State, rumored to be getting a visit from Perez, and Michigan.

On Friday, Tipton updated Perez’ schedule, saying that he will visit Arizona State from Sunday to Monday and then head to Oxford to visit Ole Miss Monday and Tuesday.

For Ole Miss and Chris Beard, it certainly isn’t an ordinary October. Jose Perez isn’t just an ordinary player. His story isn’t ordinary, either.

Source: West Virginia transfer Jose Perez will visit Arizona State from Sunday to Monday and Ole Miss from Monday to Tuesday. https://t.co/Xrsmu1Mj57

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 13, 2023

Perez’ background

With the transfer news, Perez is searching for his fifth team in six years. In high school, he played at Wings Academy en route to earning All State honors in New York. He then opted for the postgraduate route where he led Putnam Science Academy to a national championship and their first ever number one prep school ranking.

Perez began his career at Gardner-Webb, where he earned All Freshman Team honors for the conference and averaged 15.1 points per game over two years. He then made the decision to transfer to Marquette and saw a dip in his production. After one year there, Perez returned to New York to play at Manhattan. In one year, Perez took the MAAC by storm averaging 18.9 PTS, 4.5 AST, and 3.2 REB in the 2021-2022 season and earning All-MAAC honors. Heading into 2022-2023, Perez was labeled as the preseason MAAC Player of the Year.

Unfortunately, on October 25th of last year, Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello left after 11 years at the helm. The news came a mere couple of weeks before the season started. Perez entered the transfer portal and landed at West Virginia where he was ruled ineligible (he later appealed and that was rejected). Now almost a year later, Perez finds himself back in the transfer portal.

According to the famous unknown basketball insider on X, Trilly Donovan, Perez has a “pathway to eligibility this season” which eventually led to his decision to enter the portal. The question will remain regardless of what program he ends up with, and ultimately the decision will be made by the NCAA.

Other transfer decisions pending

Ole Miss is currently awaiting two big decisions from the NCAA for the upcoming year on Georgetown transfer guard/wing Brandon Murray and Oklahoma State transfer Moussa Cisse. Both are current two-time undergraduate transfers which the NCAA labeled as a group they would review more thoroughly when it comes to additional transfers.

What Perez Brings to a Team

As a player, Perez adds a scoring prowess that could benefit just about every team in the country. For Ole Miss, he would add a true scoring threat at all three levels. Perez uses his 6-foot-5 height and 220-lb frame to physically get to his spots on the court. A very calculated player with a quick release, Perez excels at getting shots off that are contested.

His versatile scoring provides a unique scoring gravity that could do Ole Miss wonders. A focal point for Ole Miss this offseason was adding scoring from the perimeter, as well as versatility, and Perez has the ability to draw attention from defenders. In the 2021-2022 season, Perez had 132 possessions in isolation, 126 posting up, 104 as a PNR handler, and 100 spot-up attempts.

Perez loves to use his size and physicality to create some separation or to work to a certain spot on the court for a look. If the look is taken away, he has counter moves to get off a different shot. He also has a lethal spin move he attacks with, one that covers a lot of ground and quickly creates looks around the rim. An advanced scorer in this, Perez knows how to use his body and the rim to shield defenders when attacking. Perez also has deep range and is a willing three point shooter.

With all the ways he can impact a game scoring, Perez garners a lot of attention and he knows how to handle all of it. In 2021-2022, Perez featured a 33.0% usage rate with a 32% assist rate. He is a scoring ball handler who can also grab rebounds and make correct passes. An interesting area to monitor will be his shooting consistency as his numbers have varied over his career but has solid indicators to show the potential for good efficiency.

The Rebel Walk will keep you updated on the recruitment of Perez and all things Ole Miss basketball. If you haven’t yet, give us a follow on our social media and be a part of our community keeping up with the latest.