MILWAUKEE — In a college basketball landscape where transfer portals have become integral to team strategies during the offseason, Marquette University proudly stands apart as a testament to consistency and loyalty. This is largely thanks to the persistence of coach Shaka Smart and his senior class.
Kam Jones, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell joined Marquette when their coach was still transitioning into the role. Alongside walk-on player Cam Brown, they embarked on their college basketball journey, choosing stability over the myriad opportunities presented by the transfer portal. This steadfastness has allowed Marquette to remain a solid and trustworthy entity in an ever-changing field.
Heading into another NCAA Tournament run, the Golden Eagles (23-10) are set to face New Mexico (26-7) in Cleveland on Friday. Marquette distinguishes itself as the only team from a power conference that hasn’t dipped into the transfer pool since the 2022-23 season.
“It was absolutely a conscious decision,” Smart noted. “Many question our methods and wonder about our approach. I value relationships, growth, and victory. Although these are basic values, many in our profession forget them, preaching one thing and practicing another.”
Smart’s loyalty to his original group of players has brought Marquette continuous success, earning NCAA Tournament spots in each of his four seasons. This selective approach resulted in only eight players starting a game since 2022-23, the smallest number for any Division I team. Included in this elite group are Jones; Joplin; Mitchell; juniors Ben Gold and Chase Ross; and previous NBA contributors Oso Ighodaro, Tyler Kolek, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
Collectively known as “the Guardians,” the senior class has built a formidable reputation for safeguarding Marquette’s winning legacy. For Mitchell, the thought of using the transfer portal never crossed his mind because of the bond they share. “Our connection is strong. Imagining a new school without telling Kam or Jop would be unthinkable, and it feels the same for them.”
Both Mitchell and Jones committed to Marquette as early as summer 2020, back when the program was under Steve Wojciechowski. They trusted the team enough to stay on after its takeover by Smart. This kind of loyalty and unity is rare, brought on by a genuine connection and belief in their collective potential.
Jones, who boasts an impressive record of scoring double figures in 49 consecutive games, values Smart’s approach to building from within rather than seeking external recruits. “Coach’s decision not to fish in the portal and instead focus on developing us fills us with confidence and fosters our team unity. We’ve embraced his outlook, and indeed we have grown stronger as a unit.”
Aside from his on-court prowess, Mitchell is a semifinalist for the Naismith defensive player of the year and has been recognized for his academic achievements with a double major and a stellar GPA. Meanwhile, Joplin is poised to surpass school history’s appearance record during Marquette’s game against New Mexico.
Integral to the team’s deliberations during games, Brown often leads discussions during first-half timeouts and has been offered a graduate assistant position due to his leadership capabilities. “He’s the one Guardian who will stay with us,” Smart observed.
However, the graduating class leaves behind big shoes to fill, putting Smart’s non-traditional approach to the test. “Our principles might be tested, but I’m committed to nurturing the talent we already have,” Smart concluded confidently.