The FIU Panthers basketball team is bringing in these three transfers and one freshman

The FIU men’s basketball team has signed four players for the upcoming season and is actively seeking one more, likely for the frontcourt.

Only one player with remaining eligibility will not return, and that’s 6-4 guard Blake Furcron, who has decided to transfer. Furcron, who is from Michigan, played 29 games last season but did not start. He averaged 9.1 minutes and 2.1 points, shooting 29.7 percent on three-pointers.

The Panthers, who finished 19-13 in this past coronavirus-shortened season, graduated their top three scorers: Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Osasumwen Osaghae, second-team all-league forward Devon Andrews and guard Trejon Jacob.

In an effort to replace that talent, FIU coach Jeremy Ballard is bringing in three transfers and one freshman:

▪ Javaunte Hawkins is a 5-10 point guard and a junior-college transfer who was a three-time All-State player in Missouri. Hawkins averaged 25.4 points as a prep senior and 14.1 points as Butler Community College’s second-leading scorer this past season. “He can really shoot it, and he’s a good ball-handler,” Ballard said.

▪ D.J. Mitchell is a 6-4 guard and a junior-college transfer who played his high school ball in Washington, D.C. “He’s a versatile scoring guard who can get to the rack,” Ballard said.

▪ Petar Krivokapic is a 6-3 freshman shooting guard from Montenegro. “He’s a sniper as a shooter — very skilled,” Ballard said.

▪ Radshad Davis is a 6-2 wing and a graduate transfer from Texas-Arlington who has one year of eligibility remaining. A native of the Bahamas, Davis was fourth in points (8.5) and second in rebounds (6.2) this past season, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor, 30.5 percent on three-pointers and 77.4 percent on free throws. “Radshad is a great rebounder and a very good defender — very versatile,” Ballard said.

The Panthers are looking for size with their remaining available scholarship because they have only two players over 6-foot-6 and no one over 6-9.

And while all four of the new recruits are eligible immediately, it remains to be seen if there will even be a college basketball season this winter due to the pandemic.

“I’m hopeful we can play — as long as it’s safe,” Ballard said. “I think the NBA will be the first league back. We might get to see a test run with the NBA, hoping that it goes off without a hitch and gives other leagues confidence.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Isaura Santos, a 5-9 outside hitter and part of the MDC women’s volleyball team that finished second in the nation in 2018 and third last year, recently earned a scholarship to the University of Providence, an NCAA Division II school in Great Falls, Montana.

▪ FIU and the University of Connecticut have agreed to play two football games, scheduling a home-and-home series for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The Panthers and Huskies will face off at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Oct. 8, 2022, and then they will play the second game in East Hartford, Connecticut .on Oct. 14, 2023.