Eastern Washington star forward Tanner Groves has entered in his name in the transfer portal and he said he will explore his options.
His younger brother, Jacob, also reportedly placed his name in the transfer portal.
The decisions to explore their options come one day after Eastern Washington promoted David Riley to head coach. Riley replaces Shantay Legans, who left to take the Portland head coaching job.
Tanner Groves was the Big Sky Player of the Year and he opened eyes in the NCAA Tournament last Saturday when he scored a career-best 35 points against Kansas. Eastern Washington led the game by double digits before Kansas recovered to post a 93-84 victory.
“5 years ago I received my only division I offer from Eastern Washington and I didn’t think twice getting to play so close to my hometown,” Tanner Groves, who is from Spokane, said in his announcement. “Through faith in God, consistent hard work, and the hours myself, my coaches, and my teammates put in, I was able to crush through goals and accomplish things I never could’ve thought would be possible.”
Tanner Groves, who was a junior this season, averaged 17.2 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-9 Groves hinted that the coaching moves played a factor in his decision to check out his options.
“In light of the situation I believe it is in my best interest to explore all of my options and enter the transfer portal,” he said. “This does not mean I am certain about leaving EWU and the relationships I formed.”
Eastern Washington is located in Cheyney, about 20 miles from the Gonzaga campus in Spokane. There are also four Pac-12 programs in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State, Washington, Oregon and Oregon State.
Jacob Groves, a 6-foot-7 sophomore this season, scored 23 points against Kansas. He averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.
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–Field Level Media