The East Carolina Pirates men’s basketball team is undergoing a major transformation this offseason as several key players have entered the transfer portal. These moves come after a 2024-25 season in which the Pirates finished with a 19-14 overall record and tied for fifth place in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with a 10-8 conference finish.
Key Player Departures
Cyr Malonga (Sophomore Center): The 6-foot-11, 239-pound center has announced his decision to transfer following a season in which his role on the team decreased. Malonga averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, but his playing time dwindled after the emergence of freshman Reid Cason.
Callum Richard (Guard): Richard has opted to enter the transfer portal. No further details have been provided regarding his decision.
Bencao Vungo (Guard): Vungo’s departure adds another layer of uncertainty to the Pirates’ backcourt for next season.
Ezra Ausar (Forward): Ausar, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season. He has now entered the transfer portal in search of new opportunities.
Yann Farell (Guard/Forward): Despite being recruited as a three-point shooting specialist, the 6-foot-6, 211-pound Farell struggled to find consistency in his role with the Pirates. He too has entered the transfer portal.
Julien Soumaoro (Senior Guard): Soumaoro, who averaged 4.0 points and 1.6 assists per game, has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. His decision follows a season in which he opted to sit out after the first eight games.
Incoming Transfers
In response to these departures, East Carolina has secured commitments from several new players to bolster the roster for next season:
Jayshayne Woodard (Guard): A 6-foot-7 junior from Harlem, NY, Woodard comes to ECU from Indian River State College.
Julien Soumaoro (Guard): A 5-foot-11 senior from the Bronx, NY, Soumaoro transfers to ECU from Gardner-Webb.
Yann Farell (Forward): A 6-foot-6 junior from Libreville, Gabon, Farell joins the Pirates from St. Bonaventure.
Jordan Riley (Guard): A 6-foot-4 senior from Brentwood, NY, Riley comes to ECU from Temple.
C.J. Walker (Forward): A 6-foot-8 graduate senior from Sanford, FL, Walker transfers from UCF.
Trevion LaBeaux (Forward): A 6-foot-5 junior from Waterloo, IA, LaBeaux joins ECU from Indian Hills Community College.
These new signings are expected to fill the gaps left by the departing players and strengthen the Pirates’ lineup.
Looking Ahead
As the Pirates’ coaching staff, led by head coach Michael Schwartz, works to integrate the new recruits, the team’s success in the upcoming season will largely depend on how effectively they can blend the new and returning talent. With a competitive presence in the AAC at stake, East Carolina will look to build on its recent successes and stay in the hunt for a top-tier finish in the conference next season.
