FSU basketball: Noles make final six schools for Jalen DeLoach

FSU basketball completed the worst season in recent FSU history a few weeks ago with a loss in the ACC Tournament.

FSU coach Leonard Hamilton needs to overhaul the roster and already has one player (Caleb Mills) in the transfer portal.

I expect more attrition, which means Hamilton will need to use the transfer portal to improve a roster that has many holes.

One target, VCU forward Jalen DeLoach, announced the Noles made his top six schools Tuesday afternoon.

If that name rings a bell, he’s the younger brother of FSU linebacker Kalen DeLoach. Jalen DeLoach spent the last two years at VCU and entered the transfer portal on March 30th after his head coach took the head coaching job at Penn State.

DeLoach saw his stats improve drastically from his freshman to sophomore season. He averaged 9.7 ppg, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks last season. He started 32 of 34 games, averaging 24.5 minutes per game, and shot 56.2 percent from the floor. He checks in at 6’9″ and 215 pounds and would help sure up some problem areas for the Noles in the rebounding and defensive areas.

DeLoach crashes the offensive glass well and has great length helped him block 47 shots last season. He also has two years of eligibility left. DeLoach was a three-star recruit out of high school, ranked as the No. 252 player overall and No. 50 power forward.

VCU and Kansas State were his only offers at the time. He says a decision will come soon, but there are no clear-cut favorites.

Are his ties to FSU enough to bring him to Tallahassee to help Leonard Hamilton turn things around? I’m not sure how much communication has taken place, but DeLoach seems like the type of player that could help a program in dire need of an identity.