David Jablonski: Dayton basketball: Who have UD coaches contacted in the portal?

The Dayton Flyers coaching staff has reshaped the roster with transfers throughout head coach Anthony Grant’s tenure, starting with the group it added before the 2018-19 season. Ibi Watson, Rodney Chatman, Jordy Tshimanga and Chase Johnson sat out Grant’s second season because transfers didn’t have immediate eligibility then. When those players beame eligible, they helped lead Dayton to a 29-2 season in 2019-20, though Johnson played in only the first eight games.

Under current NCAA rules, the coaches can transform their roster much faster. There is no penalty for transferring. Players don’t have to sit out. They can switch schools every season if they want.

Dayton has added 13 transfers in the last three springs alone. Four of their top six scorers in the 2025-26 season joined the roster in the spring of 2025. This spring, Dayton coaches will search the portal for more help. With De’Shayne Montgomery entering the transfer portal on Thursday, April 9, Dayton lost six of its top eight scorers from a team that finished 25-12.

A closer look at recruiting during Anthony Grant’s tenure (through April 2026)

The portal opened Tuesday, April 7. Players can start taking visits Friday, April 10. Some players have shared information on what schools have contacted them with national recruiting analysts.

Here’s a list of players contacted by Dayton. It’s not a full list of the players Dayton is recruiting. Not every player shares details of the recruiting process with reporters.

Transfer targetsColby Garland, San Jose State: Dayton is one of the many schools interested in Garland, according to recruiting analyst Sam Kayser. A 6-foot-1 guard with one season of eligibility remaining, Garland averaged 20.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds as a junior.

Garland played at Drake and Longwood in his first two seasons. He’s from Magnolia, Arkansas,and spent a post-graduate year at Link Academy in Branson, Mo.

Christian Humphrey- Rembert, Lafayette: The Transfer Tapes account on X reported that Dayton contacted Humphrey-Rembert a 6-9 freshman forward. He averaged 7.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. He’s from Grand Rapids, Mich.

Dallis Dillard, Indiana University of Pennsylvania: He’s a 6-3 guard from Harlem, N.Y. He averaged 20.6 points and 4.7 assists per game as a redshirt senior in the 2025-26 season. He was a first-team All-American at the Division II level. He played in only 10 games in his junior season because of an injury and missed all of his senior season. The College Basketball Content account on X reported Dayton’s interest in Dillard.

Jordan Frison, Chattanooga: A 6-0 guard from Memphis, he averaged 16.4 points and 4.0 assists as a junior, while shooting 45.5% from 3-point range. He played one season at Chattanooga after two seasons at Division II Pittsburg State. He has one season of eligibility remaining. Kayser reported Dayton’s interest in Frison.

Kameron Taylor, UNC Asheville: A 6-7 guard from Charlotte, he averaged 18.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a sophomore. He’s from Charlotte, N.C., and played with Dayton recruit Cody Peck at Carmel Christian High School in the 2023-24 season. Kayser reported Dayton’s interest in Taylor.

Joel Foxwell, Portland: A 6-1 guard from Melbourne, Australia, he averaged 15.6 points and 6.5 assists as a freshman. Kayser reported Dayton’s interest in Foxwell.

Grant Randall, Quinnipiac: A 6-9 forward from Queens, N.Y., Randall averaged 11.4 points and 6.8 rebounds as a sophomore. Dylan Thayer, of the New England Recruiting Report, listed Dayton among the schools interested in Randall.

Trey Harris, West Virginia State: A 6-7 guard from Houston, Harris averaged 16.6 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range as a junior at the Division II program. He started his career at Lamar University and then played at New Mexico Junior College and Chadron State. He has one season of eligibility remaining. Tobias Bass, of The Athletic, reported Dayton’s interest.

Jalen Cox, Colgate: A 6-3 guard from Los Angeles, Calif., Cox averaged 17.9 points and 5.3 assists as a junior, while shooting 36.5% from 3-point range. He made the All-Patriot League first team and all-defensive team. Kayser reported Dayton’s interest.