Arizona State Faces Continued Losses as Another Player Joins Transfer Portal
Bobby Hurley’s Arizona State Sun Devils are experiencing a wave of departures as another player has entered the transfer portal, continuing a difficult offseason.
The Sun Devils lost both of their big men on Wednesday—Jayden Quaintance and Shawn Phillips Jr.—leaving Hurley in need of a new frontcourt.
Quaintance, a 5-star freshman, had been expected to return for his sophomore season before potentially declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. However, after a disappointing season for Arizona State, which included a 4-16 record in the Big 12 and an ACL tear against Kansas State on February 23, Quaintance is moving on.
Phillips Jr., a 7-foot junior, averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 31 games this season. He started 12 games, playing an average of 17.9 minutes per game, and had some strong performances late in the season, including an 11-point, 14-rebound, and 3-block game against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament. Phillips, who transferred to Arizona State from LSU in 2023, has one year of eligibility remaining.
Arizona State’s exodus from the transfer portal continues as three rotation players have now left: Quaintance, Phillips Jr., and Joson Sanon. Sanon, a 6-foot-5 freshman shooting guard, committed to St. John’s after announcing his decision over the weekend. Earlier this season, Hurley described Sanon as “the best shooter” he’s ever coached. Sanon played in 27 of Arizona State’s 32 games, averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 28.3 minutes per game, with shooting splits of 36.9% from three and 42.2% from the field.
Additionally, Brandon Gardner, a 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman, has entered the transfer portal. Gardner, who transferred to Arizona State from USC last offseason, did not play this season after being suspended for a team rules violation in January and was buried on a thin bench.
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