West Virginia forward Ofri Naveh (9) is defended by Texas forward Dillon Mitchell (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va.
West Virginia forward Ofri Naveh (9) is defended by Texas forward Dillon Mitchell (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va.
Kathleen Batten | The Associated Press
Then-Drake head coach Darian DeVries questions a call during the first half against Loyola of Chicago, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Darian DeVries has only been the West Virginia men’s basketball coach for four months.
He’s getting the wheels in motion for creating a team identity and foundation for the Mountaineers.
DeVries comes to West Virginia after spending the last six seasons at Drake, where he went 150-55 with the Bulldogs.
The 49-year-old coach likes what he has seen during summer workouts.
“The team is very excited and hungry,†DeVries said. “They’ve dedicated themselves, both individually and as a group, to try and do whatever they can to put ourselves in the best position to have success. That’s what we’re doing this time of the year. All you can ask of them is come with a great attitude, then come and work hard.â€
That hungry approach the new-look Mountaineers possess has created a winning mentality through the first few workouts and practices.
DeVries is starting to see an identity help everyone on the team grow.
“Each one of the guys, individually, want to win, whether they’re seniors or incoming freshmen,†DeVries said. “This group certainly is committed to doing everything they can to try putting themselves in a position to do that. I like the approach from them.â€
The Mountaineers lost a huge chunk of their scoring productivity from last season.
Ninety-seven percent of WVU’s total points from last year — 2,171 out of 2,234 — is gone.
All the 63 points scored by a returnee came from Ofri Naveh.
Naveh and Aden Tagaloa-Nelson are the lone returners from last year’s Mountaineers.
There are eight newcomers on this year’s roster, including DeVries’ son Tucker. Tucker spent his first three seasons at Drake with his dad, averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game.
The Mountaineers transfer portal recruiting class ranks sixth nationally, according to 247Sports.com.
“I like the way they fit together,†DeVries said. “The pieces of making a good team is having the players go well together. We have a good balance, with guys that can do different things that compliment each other.â€
WVU will travel to Italy from Aug. 1-10 and play three games there.
“I love the timing of it,†DeVries said. “The new staff and team get to go spend 10, 11 days over in Italy and play three games. More importantly, we get to know each other a little bit better, not just basketball, but personally. We get to spend time together and bond. Those games allow us to get a little feel for playing with one another and playing against somebody else.â€
One of the eight transfers who has enrolled at WVU is Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small.
Small averaged 15 points and four assists per game last season for the Cowboys.
“People are going to love Javon Small,†DeVries said. “He has such a good feel for the game. He’s strong and physical and can score and pass well. I’ve been really impressed with him and what he’s been able to do in practice so far. He’s one of those guys that I think is going to have a chance to be one of the best players in the Big 12 Conference this year.â€
Joseph Yesufu is another transfer that came to Morgantown.
Yesufu spent last season at Washington State. He does have experience playing for DeVries as he played two seasons at Drake.
However, Yesufu has not been cleared to play after suffering a hip injury and playing just six games last season for the Cougars.
“He’s still probably a couple months away,†DeVries said. “We’re hoping maybe towards the first of September, but we’ll see where that leads as he continues to progress in his rehab. The good part for him is that he did play for me a couple of years ago, so he knows the system. It’s not like he has to learn that as he’s coming back.â€
DeVries is wanting to continue a tradition of welcoming former WVU players with open arms.
“There’s great tradition here, and a lot of good players,†DeVries said. “Anybody that’s ever put on this uniform has worn it with great pride. We certainly want them to continue feeling that way. We’re going to try and represent them in the tradition that they’ve built. We want to do it in the best way possible.â€
Former WVU players welcomed DeVries in his first couple of weeks in Morgantown.
“We as alumni are excited for the new chapter of WVU basketball,†read a statement by former players. “We’re sure the team that you produce on the court will reflect everything that has made West Virginia University basketball so special.â€
