By Andy Walter

College basketball players switched schools before there was an NCAA Transfer Portal, of course.

But the system has just made it more clear than ever that mid-major programs are going to be the feeder system for the Top 25 ones now.

So when former Delaware standout Andrew Carr announced that he was transferring to Wake Forest this week, he didn’t make it sound like he had a problem with the Blue Hens.

The 6-foot-10 forward just said it was the next logical step in his development.

“I feel like I’m ready to take the next step to the best conference in college basketball,” Carr was quoted by Demon Deacon Digest. “I’m looking forward to being pushed and challenged by other high-level players.”

“Andrew Carr is only scratching the surface of the type of player we believe he is going to develop into at Wake Forest,” said Wake coach Steve Forbes. “He played in a very good program at Delaware that prepared him to play in the ACC.”

Of course, the portal is a two-way street.

Delaware announced Thursday that it has added Christian Ray (LaSalle) and L.J. Owens (UMBC/William & Mary) as it tries to replenish its roster after making the NCAA Tournament.

Delaware State has also picked up a transfer in 6-foot-10, 230-pound Ray Sommerville from CalState Bakersfield. The Hornets still have seven players listed in the portal as they continue to evolve under second-year coach Stan Waterman.

Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby, who also added 6-10 recruit Houston Emory this week, knows he’s going to need to find veteran players to replace the ones the Hens have lost. Owens has only one year of college eligibility remaining.

“His veteran presence will be a strong addition to our locker room,” said Ingelsby.

Ray has just two seasons remaining.

“His versatility on both ends of the floor will mesh well with our returning players and I am excited to see his game flourish in our system,” said Ingelsby. “Christian is the ultimate team guy and he will bring strong leadership to our team in the locker room and on the basketball court.”

Hens in CAA finals

The Delaware men’s lacrosse team will be trying to earn the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 11 years this afternoon.

The top-seeded Blue Hens square off against No. 2 Towson at 2 p.m. at Drexel in the CAA championship game. The contest is being shown on LSN.

Delaware edged the Tigers, 11-10, on April 16 to snap a three-game skid. That victory started the Hens on their current four-game winning streak, which included an impressive 19-6 win over Drexel in Thursday’s CAA semis.

“That was one of the most complete games I think our offense has played since I can remember,” the Hens’ Mike Robinson said about the Drexel win. “Everybody was contributing and that’s what we need to be successful.”

“We were sharp,” said UD coach Ben DeLuca. “We shared the ball and played selfless ball on the offensive end and it showed on the scoreboard. The mentality of anyone can score at any given point in time has been really critical and is something we’ve been trying to build from the beginning of the season.”

Delaware West

The Los Angeles Chargers are 3,000 miles from Delaware but they’re starting to take on a certain First State look.

They already had former Blue Hen Nasir Adderley starting at safety. But now the Chargers have signed Adderley’s former UD teammate, linebacker Troy Reeder, as well as Leddie Brown, the onetime Smyrna High running back.

Reeder, who spent his first three NFL seasons with the Rams, said it’s pretty “cool” playing with Adderley again.

“Reuniting with Nas is a really special feeling because ... we went to a small school where not a lot of people get this opportunity,” said Reeder. “To both be going into year four now, when sometimes it felt like the odds were against us, and be able to play for the same team in blue and gold — very similar to our college colors ... it’s very cool. I can’t wait to get on the field and get working with him.”

Brown helped Smyrna win the 2015 DIAA Division I state title in his one season with the Eagles. He signed a free-agent contract with the Chargers after two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons at West Virgina.

Notes

Former Cape Henlopen High standout Jake Gelof is within reach of a couple Virginia baseball records. With 17 home runs, he’s five shy of the school mark. And with 67 RBI, he needs 10 more to tie the UVa record. ... Smyrna High grad Lexi Moore leads the Wilmington University baseball team in both batting average (.372) and stolen bases (29). ... Caesar Rodney grad Quintin Ivy is tops on the WilmU baseball squad in home runs (11), runs scored (50) and stolen bases (24). ... Cornerback Nijuel Hill is the third UD football player invited to an NFL rookie minicamp. He’ll join former teammate Dejoun Lee in Washington’s camp. ... An early FCS football prediction on NCAA.com has Delaware winning the CAA title this fall.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org.
Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.