The 15-20 disaster is done, but the aftermath is hitting Chris Beard's squad with full force. Beard faces a tall order rebuilding a winning roster while managing the mass exodus-like situation in Oxford.
Navigating the 2026-27 transfer portal would perhaps be the toughest point in Beard's career. He isn't just losing two of his best players this season; he is essentially losing the only two engines that kept the 15-20 season from being a winless disaster in the SEC.
In other words, AJ Storr and Malik Dia's absence means a catrastrophic gut punch to Ole Miss basketball's offensive identity that Beard needs to find an answer for.
Ilias Kamardine and Patton Pinkins announcing their return might be the only strings holding together a class that would have rather started crumbling right away.
Roster building is tough as it comes even for the blue-bloods. Navigating one with a program's lowest record is a herculean task that Beard would lose sleep over till the transfer portal closes on April 21.
Ole Miss basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Who's leaving Ole Miss
Out of Eligibility:
- F Malik Dia
- G AJ Storr
- G Max Smith
- G Kezza Giffa
NBA Draft:
- AJ Storr (Portsmouth International Tournament invited)
- Malik Dia (Portsmouth International Tournament invited)
Transfer Portal:
- G Koren Johnson
- G Travis Perry
- F Augusto Cassia
- G Eduardo Klafke
- G Hobret Grayson IV
- F Corey Chest
Who's staying at Ole Miss:
- G Ilias Kamardine
- G Patton Pinkins
Who's joining Ole Miss
Transfer Portal:
Recruiting:
Beard is yet to officially sign any incoming players. The Rebel Nation can only hop it changes in the coming days.
The list of players going out of Ole Miss is definitely heavy, and replacing them would be the foundation of their redemption next season. Sadly, Beard doesn't have much time to convince his top prospects either, as the transfer portal is set to close on April 21.