Cal basketball pursuing several major transfer portal targets

Mark Madsen is moving hard to get the roster filled out for the new look California Golden Bears.

(Photo via Cal Men’s Basketball)

With half of Cal’s 2022-23 roster seemingly in the portal, the Bears are hot in pursuit of new blood. Cal already landed a big man from Mark Madsen’s Utah Valley days in Texas Tech big Fardaws Aimaq.

Let’s take a look at some of the portal names being circulated.

Utah Valley guard Justin Harmon

Harmon entered the portal soon after Madsen left Utah Valley for Cal. Harmon had a great season in Utah Valley’s NIT Final Four season, averaging 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. With Cal losing several of their guards this spring to transfer, Harmon could be a great pickup who could help provide stability and onboarding to Madsen’s coaching schemes.

Utah Valley guard Le'tre Darthard

Another one of Madsen’s former pupils is looking for a new home. Darthard can definitely upgrade the defensive presence for the Bears. He averaged 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 43-36-89 splits. Darthard has mentioned Cal as a school that has been in contact, so it seems Madsen is keen on the idea of reuniting with his former student.

North Arizona guard Jalen Cone

Cone is a top target for a few major programs like Xavier and Ole Miss but he has interviewed with Cal and is planning to visit Cal Day weekend. At 5-11, Cone stands as a point guard, but it’s his sharpshooting that is intriguing many schools—he averaged 40% three point shooting and 17 points per game. As a graduate transfer, he’s eligible to play next season.

Utah State guard Steven Ashworth

One of the top prospects in the portal, Ashworth averaged 16.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, logging the highest offensive efficiency rating in the country for guards with high usage rates. Luke Chaney reported that Cal is interested, which is great! Expect the competition to get stiff to land him.

Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis

Jon Rothstein reported that Cal is among the many programs who are interested in the talented young wing. The former five-star high school prospect had a 12% assist rate this season in limited minutes with the Bulldogs. Sallis is from Omaha and Creighton is coming off an Elite 8 run, and Nebraska is in contact, so there will be stiff competition.

North Texas guard Tylor Perry

Perry is definitely one of the top portal prospects out there. The Conference USA Player of the Year averaged 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists while shooting 39.8% from three. But Cal is throwing its hat into the ring to try and get him. It would be an immediate talent boost at guard if the Bears could pull off this recruiting coup, but competition will be fierce.

Cal fans, which of these potential portal talents really excites you? Let us know in the comments!