Jose Perez commits to Marquette

[Tha Hound]

From J/S

The Marquette men's basketball team has added another guard to bolster its backcourt.

Gardner-Webb sophomore Jose Perez announced on Thursday that he will transfer to the Golden Eagles. Perez also considered Memphis, Illinois, Georgia Tech and Iowa State.

The 6-foot-5 Perez averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Runnin' Bulldogs. He sat out the last 10 games of the season for personal reasons.

MU has added two transfer guards this off-season. Last month, Ohio State freshman D.J. Carton committed to the Golden Eagles. MU needed some reinforcements after losing top scorers Markus Howard (27.8 points per game) and Sacar Anim (13.1).

Both Perez and Carton can apply for waivers with the NCAA to play next season. The NCAA is also considering allowing student-athletes to transfer without having to sit out a season, though the board of directors recommended against voting for immediate eligibility. The vote is scheduled for May 20.

The 21-year-old Perez is a native of the Bronx in New York City. He played for Wings Academy, winning a Public Schools Athletic League title in 2015. Perez also spent a postgraduate year at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.

Perez played AAU with the PSA Cardinals and became close with executive director Terrance "Munch" Williams.

"Jose is extremely versatile," Williams said. "One of those Swiss-army knifes. He can shoot the three. Get to the mid-range shot. Can post you.

"Offensive rebound – he can do the dirty work. Don't necessarily have to run plays for him. He can put it on the deck. And one the great things is he's a really good passer."

Perez chose Gardner-Webb over Kent State, Manhattan and LIU Brooklyn. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a freshman to help the Runnin' Bulldogs win the 2019 Big South tournament and make their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Gardner-Webb, a No. 16 seeding, put a scare into eventual champion Virginia in the first round, taking a 14-point lead in the first half before falling, 71-56. Perez had 19 points, shooting 4 for 6 on three-pointers.

Williams compared Perez to former Virginia standout Ty Jerome.

"Playing from the IQ standpoint as opposed to an athletic standpoint," Williams said.

Perez's long-distance shooting took a dip last season. He shot 26 for 104 (25%) as a sophomore after connecting on 53 of 139 (38.1%) as a freshman.

MU has one open scholarship slot, though sophomore forward Brendan Bailey declared for the NBA draft and if he opts to pursue his professional career another scholarship would became available.

Williams was advising Perez during his transfer process.

"Wojo (MU head coach Steve Wojciechowski) did a great job remaining consistent with him on a daily basis and painting a picture of how he can get better," Williams said. "But also how he can continue to be who is off the court as a young man.

"And then (MU assistant) Dwayne Killings, he built a strong bond with him that was kind of brother-ish. And painting the picture of individual development and being with right with him if he has to sit out."

Man, post the link and let him get his clicks. Don't paste that entire thing here

[Uncle Rico]

Killings is the new Stan.  Huh

[barfolomew]

Welcome, Jose!

Word on the street is he was down to us and ISU and we won out because he wanted to avoid any Perez Hilton jokes. Smart move, young man.

[WarriorPride68]

I am with everyone else, nice veteran who is already 21 years old after a prep year & 2 years at Gardner Webb. Analytically speaking the expectations are that of a bench player, but a welcomed veteran presence nonetheless. And with the current options it's a solid pickup.

Does anyone know what issues he was dealing with when he left the team last season?

[Dawson Rental]

Great to close the deal on a guy with some nice options of where to go. 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I like it. Excited to read his interview and how hungry he is to be the best he can be. Those are the type of guys that push themselves and ultimately push others to their best.

Best thing about Perez is you can tell he is going to be a competitor. A guy that wears it on his sleeve a bit and gives it his all. We lacked that tenacity a bit last season and frankly since Rowsey. Sometimes some aggressive energy is what teams need.

Plus, he's going to be a grown man come November 2021. Excited to have him on board. No offense to walk ons, but give me one of these guys every single season over giving away scholarships to a walk on.

[Elonsmusk]

I am with everyone else, nice veteran who is already 21 years old after a prep year & 2 years at Gardner Webb. Analytically speaking the expectations are that of a bench player, but a welcomed veteran presence nonetheless. And with the current options it's a solid pickup.

Does anyone know what issues he was dealing with when he left the team last season?

I agree with this analysis.  Get old.  Stay old.  While he struggled some last year, he has proven he can play at D-1 midmajor level.  Seems to have an edge about him that MU could benefit from.  May well round into a starter after his off year.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Good stuff. If he puts in the work during his redshirt year I could see him grabbing a starting spot or being a valuable piece off the bench.

[muguru]

Incase people were wondering, and I know some have their doubts...he was much better his Freshman year than Soph year against top competition. I am by no means saying that to disparage him, he has proven he can do it against high level competition.

[muguru]

Man, post the link and let him get his clicks. Don't paste that entire thing here

I thought it was subscriber only that's why I posted it...changed it to link

[MUWarrior4Life]

Welcome 2 Warrior Nation Jose!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Welcome, Jose!

Word on the street is he was down to us and ISU and we won out because he wanted to avoid any Perez Hilton jokes. Smart move, young man.

"Fiserz Perez" has a nice ring to it. Own it.

[Newsdreams]

Killings is the new Stan.  Huh

https://twitter.com/john_fanta/status/1258519542138941441?s=21

It bears noting how instrumental Dwayne Killings has been this offseason on the recruiting trailway for @MarquetteMBB. The associate head coach played a key role in getting Jose Perez to transfer to the Golden Eagles. Killings is a high quality assistant in CBB, IMO. #mubb

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

When's the last time we had a player from New York? There certainly hasn't been one since I started nearly 10 years ago now.

[The Sultan]

When's the last time we had a player from New York? There certainly hasn't been one since I started nearly 10 years ago now.

Dwight Burke was from Brooklyn.  Lazar was from Buffalo.

[TedBaxter]

The last guy who attended 4 years in NYC schools would be Artie Green (1977).  Taft High School, where Artie went, is 2.5 miles from Wings Academy, where Perez attended.

[copious1218]

When's the last time we had a player from New York? There certainly hasn't been one since I started nearly 10 years ago now.

NYC?  Or state?  Isn't Symir from new york (state)?

[shoothoops]

NYC?  Or state?  Isn't Symir from new york (state)?

Symir is from Syracuse. Often times in my experience, when people mention when is last time someone played from New York, they probably mean New York City, as opposed to several hours away such as Syracuse, Buffalo, etc...but depends on the person.

Incoming peferred walk on Luke Fizulich is from the New York City area, the same suburban NYC high school as former MU target RJ Davis (Stepinac in White Plains)

[dgies9156]

Next year should now be interesting. There's STILL too many moving parts to know what we have and how good we'll be.

If Carton and Perez are eligible, we'll have pretty good depth and an ability to rotate really good folks into the mix. If Mane comes, oh my lord!!!!!!! One wonders though that if Coach Wojo thought Mr. Mane was coming, would he have been all-in on Mr. Perez? We shall see!

If Messrs. Carton and Perez are not eligible, it's going to be a tough season. None of our existing guards has yet shown an ability to carry a team. Maybe with some health and greater responsibility at least one will step up. But, if Coach Wojo was confident in his guards, he might have looked in another direction. Add to the fact that a good hunk of our team will be freshmen and we better pray for eligibility! We'll need it.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Next year should now be interesting. There's STILL too many moving parts to know what we have and how good we'll be.

This is true on the pieces, but even if access to all new transfers, I think getting the team to play together and get used to each other is going to be an immense challenge.  Particularly if there isnt summer workouts, etc.

If Wojo can pull that off and have the team firing on all cylinders by conference season it will be a huge positive mark on his coaching credentials.

[GoldenWarrior11]

This is true on the pieces, but even if access to all new transfers, I think getting the team to play together and get used to each other is going to be an immense challenge.  Particularly if there isnt summer workouts, etc.

If Wojo can pull that off and have the team firing on all cylinders by conference season it will be a huge positive mark on his coaching credentials.

In an ideal situation, this would have been a good summer to take an abroad trip to create team bonding and chemistry in advance of the season.

[Warrior of Law]

Looks like a great replacement for Sacar, in terms of length & ability to drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3giL2xMhUY

It would be really nice to pick up a shooter.  Even if BB comes back, this team will struggle to spread the floor and score.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Looks like a great replacement for Sacar, in terms of length & ability to drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3giL2xMhUY

It would be really nice to pick up a shooter.  Even if BB comes back, this team will struggle to spread the floor and score.

Nice clip, looks to have a little Jordan Nwora to his game

[copious1218]

Symir is from Syracuse. Often times in my experience, when people mention when is last time someone played from New York, they probably mean New York City, as opposed to several hours away such as Syracuse, Buffalo, etc...but depends on the person.

Incoming peferred walk on Luke Fizulich is from the New York City area, the same suburban NYC high school as former MU target RJ Davis (Stepinac in White Plains)

Which is why I asked the OP his intent (especially since Fluffy had mentioned Lazar from Buffalo in his response).

[Daniel]

Welcome to Marquette, Jose!  Let's Go Marquette!