Ole Miss basketball landed a top defensive talent from the transfer portal in LSU transfer Corey Chest a few days ago. However, they have missed out on several others. The latest is top-ranked guard Pop Isaacs.
Isaacs committed to NCAA Tournament runners-up Houston, choosing the Cougars over Ole Miss and others, and came 24 hours after Houston lost the final to Florida. Isaacs averaged 16.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.9 APG in eight games for the Bluejays this season before a serious injury.
BREAKING: Creighton transfer guard Pop Isaacs has committed to Houston, @TiptonEdits reports😼https://t.co/i9s1Q4sDwb pic.twitter.com/GnBYxstA5h
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) April 9, 2025
It's a blow for Ole Miss, who may have found a replacement for the departing Sean Pedulla. Isaacs visited Oxford last week and was predicted to land with the Rebels by On3's Joe Tipton. However, the Cougars moved late and got their man. The Las Vegas native has had his injury concerns in the past, but when he is fit and available, he is a top talent.
It's the second time the former Texas Tech guard has snubbed Ole Miss, choosing Creighton over Chris Beard's side during the 2024 transfer portal. This time, it has happened again, but Beard will not let it affect his goal of building a championship-winning roster.
The Rebels still have stakes in several top players in the portal. Kansas State transfer Brendan Hausen is the latest to have heard from Ole Miss.
Ole Miss has missed out on several targets in the last week, with Duncan Powell, Ja'Borri McGhe, and Jacari White all transferring elsewhere. It won't be a problem for Beard, who is a shrewd operator in the portal and as a recruiter. The Rebels have two top-80-ranked players coming in from the 2025 class, and with Malik Dia heading back, they have the foundations early.
The roster will be judged after these next two weeks, with most of the 2024 transfers coming in mid-April for the Rebels.