Washington State junior TJ Bamba will transfer to Villanova should he choose to stay in college, a sourced confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bamba, a 6-foot-5 guard, announced on March 27 that he would go through the 2023 NBA draft process and simultaneously enter the transfer portal.
Bamba, who was named a team captain ahead of the season, had a breakout junior year. He averaged a team-high 15.8 points for a 17-17 Cougars squad, shooting 37.2% from 3. Bamba played much of the second half of the season with an injured hand, yet still led the Cougars to a six-game winning streak to finish the regular season. In the final game before the Pac-12 tournament, Bamba scored a career-high 36 points in a win over Washington. He was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
“I chose Villanova because it ultimately gives me the best chance to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NBA,” Bamba told On3 Sports. “They have the national stage, the winning brand, and the blueprint. They have the coaching and skill development that people like myself need in order to be successful. … I look forward to embracing the Villanova Way.”
