After falling to Cleveland State in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament, while also losing three of the top players on the roster with Michael Green III and Enoch Cheeks transferring and Kahliel Spear graduating, head coach Andy Toole has been busy in the transfer portal as the Colonials look to reload after their best season since joining the Horizon League in the 2020-21 season.

Here are just some of the names the Colonials have been keeping an eye on:

Justin Steers, Coppin State

Steers is coming off a season in which he averaged around eight points, about five rebounds, and just under 45 percent from the field.

In his time with the Eagles, the senior guard has averaged right around seven points, four rebounds, and shot for just over 43 percent from the field. Steers has heard from four other schools, which are, Bryant, Cal State Fullerton, Old Dominion, and Fairfield. He recently entered the portal in March.

Javonte Johnson, New Mexico

Johnson is one of the more sought after players the Colonials have spoken to. With the Lobos he averaged just under six points, three rebounds, and shot just under 46 percent from the field this year.

The junior guard has averaged six points, four rebounds, and shot 43 percent from the field in his time with New Mexico. Johnson has heard from 14 other schools, which are, Colorado State, Wyoming, Grand Canyon University, Montana, Northern Colorado, Bowling Green, Montana State, Utah Valley Southern, Utah, Denver, Jacksonville State, Rice, UC Davis, Towson, and Seattle. He recently entered the portal on March 28.

DJ Smith, Little Rock

Smith is coming off of a very productive season for the Trojans. He averaged 10 points, two rebounds, and shot 40 percent from the field.

The sophomore guard also averaged nine points, two rebounds, and shot 38.6 percent at his time at Little Rock. On March 19, he entered the portal and has heard from nine other schools. Those schools are Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, UTEP, Oral Roberts, Southern Illinois, Queens (NC), UCA, Cal State Fullerton,Portland State, and Abilene Christian.

Bryce Johnson, Chicago State

Johnson is coming off of a year where he averaged nine points, nearly four rebounds, and shot 44.4 percent from the field. The sophomore guard averaged just about nine points, 3.5 rebounds, and shot 42.6 from the field.

On March 16. he entered the portal and has heard from these schools: Portland State, UC Riverside, UNC Asheville, Cal State Fullerton, Pacific, Maine, Seattle, Niagara, UMBC, and PVAMU.

Leslie Nkereuwem, Longwood

Nkereuwem was one of the better players for the Lancers this year, as he averaged about eight points, three rebounds, and shot 62 percent. The senior forward would fill a need for the Colonials in the frontcourt, as, in his time at Longwood, he averaged seven points, about four rebounds, and shot 60 percent from the field. He has heard from a few schools but the main ones are: Georgia State, UNCG, UNCW, UMBC, Niagara, Bryant, Chattanooga, and La Salle. He entered the portal on March 15.

Nehemiah Benson, Rider

Benson has not seen the court a ton for the Broncos, but has shown some promise when he has gotten playing time.

This year, he averaged two points, two rebounds, and shot 48 percent from the field. The junior forward averaged about two points, two rebounds, and shot 42.6 percent in his time at Rider. On March 24 he entered the portal and has heard from Binghamton, Central Connecticut, St. Francis (Pa.), and Eastern Michigan.

Markeese Hastings, Western Michigan

Hastings was one of three Broncos to play in all 31 games, starting in all but two and averaged over 30 minutes a game. He shot 47 percent from the field and averaged eight points a game.

The Grand Rapids, Mich. native is a threat off the glass being top 30 in rebounding, averaging 9.3 rebounds with just under three offensive rebounds a game.

He entered the portal on Mar. 18.

With key pieces of the offense leaving, it’ll be interesting to see how the Colonials will use the transfer portal to compete for the Horizon League once again.