Breaking Down Damion Lee’s Top Five Choices
Nov 18, 2013; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Drexel Dragons guard Damion Lee (14) drives to the basket during the first half against Elon Phoenix forward Ryley Beaumont (21) at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Former Drexel guard Damion Lee is one of the most highly coveted transfers on the market right now and he has now narrowed his list down to five schools, including Maryland.
As a junior at Drexel, Lee averaged 21.4 points per game, which was good for fifth in the country. With all of these programs losing some talent to the draft, as well as graduation, landing Lee would be a great pickup. However, all but one of teams have realistic national championship aspirations.
Let’s take a look at how Lee would fit into each program.
Arizona:
There is a good chance that freshman star Stanley Johnson will declare for the NBA draft, so that could leave a spot on the perimeter for Lee. Even with the loss of Johnson, the Wildcats would still have talented wing players like returners Gabe York, Elliot Pitts, as well as incoming freshmen Allonzo Trier, and Ray Smith. Head coach Sean Miller has been successful reeling in transfers in the past, including star point guard T.J. McConnell.
Gonzaga:
Gonzaga is a team that could really use some perimeter help for the upcoming season. The Zags are losing backcourt mainstays Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell, Jr., in addition to transfer Byron Wesley. Lee would be able to give this team some much need scoring, which they’ll be losing to graduation. Currently, Gonzaga’s top recruit is point guard Jesse Wade, so they could use a boost in the talent department.
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Louisville:
It may seem like the Louisville Cardinals are in rebuilding mode, after the losses of stars Montrezl Harrell and Terry Rozier, but if you know anything about Rick Pitino, he wants to reload. The Cardinals have already landed one transfer guard, Cleveland State’s Trey Lewis. They also boast the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation. Adding Lee could put Louisville back in the mix as title contenders.
Marquette:
Marquette is probably the team on Lee’s list with the most to gain. The Golden Eagles struggled mightily this past season, finishing with 13-19 overall record and 4-14 record in the Big East. They will be losing two senior leaders in the backcourt, Derrick Wilson and Matt Carlino, who led the team in scoring. With Lee, the Golden Eagles would get a go-to-guy who can take over a game and give them a chance in most games. Even if Lee goes to Marquette, don’t expect them to play too deep into March.
Maryland:
Maryland seems to be one of the teams pushing the hardest for Lee and deservingly so. Lee is a Baltimore native and starred at Calvert Hall in his high school days. How cool would it be for him to finish up his college career in his home state on a national championship contending team? He’ll get to play alongside Melo Trimble, Jake Layman, and Diamond Stone, amongst other talented players. This Terps team is already being considered a top five team for next season without Lee, so just imagine if they do, in fact, land him.