A-State basketball lands first transfer under Bryan Hodgson

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Bryan Hodgson has his first big transfer addition to the Arkansas State men’s basketball roster, landing a familiar name. Buffalo senior LaQuill Hardnett announced Saturday afternoon he’ll be joining the pack. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.

Hardnett, a 6-8 forward, played in 110 games over the last four seasons for Hodgson’s former team, starting 36. Seeing the most playing time of his college career last season at 29 minutes a game, the Philadelphia native broke out, averaging over 11 points a game on 49 percent shooting from the field, recording 7 double-doubles. He also saw an uptick in threes, shooting a career-best 67 and making another career-high 23.

“We are beyond excited to add LaQuill to our roster,” Hodgson said. “LaQuill and I have known each other for the last five years as I recruited him to Buffalo, before he signed with Cincinnati. I got to know him and his great family well. I’ve gotten to watch him compete from high school all the way through his college career and his growth is amazing. I look forward to finally getting the opportunity to coach him as he will add a lot of versatility to our front court. He will be able to play the three, the four and even the small-ball five at times. LaQuill’s ability to stretch the floor and his tenacity on the glass will be a huge addition to Arkansas State.”

He closed the 2022-23 season on a high note, starting with a career night against Western Michigan. He hit 3 threes, scoring a career-high 27 points with a career-high 15 rebounds. He would continue his hot streak, averaging 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds, shooting 46 percent over his last 10 games.

Hardnett is also known for crashing the glass. He was fifth in the MAC in offensive rebounds, snagging a career-high 78 last season. His rebounding improved as conference play went on, ranking second in MAC play in that category, and fifth in overall rebounding (8.1 rebounds per game).

He’ll join a Red Wolves roster in need of size. A-State was 12th in the Sun Belt in total rebounding and offensive rebounding last season. They also ranked 306th out of 363 Division I teams in average height, according to KenPom.

Forwards Antwon Jackson, Alaaeddine Boutayeb and Julian Lual all entered the transfer portal and it’s unclear if they’ll return. Markise Davis and Omar El-Sheikh graduated. Forward Izaiyah Nelson is the only Red Wolf forward not in the portal.