Amar’e Marshall looking to build on strong first season with UAlbany

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — In today’s college athletics landscape, when a player enters the transfer portal, it’s rare to see them come back out. But that’s exactly what UAlbany men’s basketball’s Amar’e Marshall did, and the Great Danes have their centerpiece for the upcoming season.

The redshirt junior guard burst onto the scene last year in his first season at UAlbany after transferring in from Hofstra. He averaged nearly 17 points per game, and was a third team all-conference selection.

Marshall hit the portal on March 20, but withdrew his name on May 9.

As the team commenced summer workouts and practices this past week, Marshall said his decision to return came down to the accommodating culture of the program.

“The same reason why I came here in the first place – it’s a family environment,” said Marshall. “Being here…everybody’s welcoming. I didn’t see a reason why I shouldn’t have stayed. Best opportunity…and I feel like we can have a winning year this year.”

And head coach Dwayne Killings expects Marshall to take a big leap this year.

“You look at what he was able to do last year – it was the first year he really played consistent minutes in college,” said Killings. “So, in a lot of ways, we looked at him like he was a freshman/sophomore. Although he’s a senior in the classroom [now], he’s a young basketball player. And his potential is so high. What I said to him right away in our first meeting was he should be player of the year in the league. And he said, “I’m ready for it.” And he’s been great; I’m so happy he’s back.”

And Marshall is grateful to have a head coach so confident in his ability.

“It’s really rare to have a head coach say that about a guy in college basketball,” said Marshall in regards to Killings’ comments that Marshall should be a contender for America East player of the year. “I mean, for him to have that faith in me…it means everything. Going into my fourth year of college, I’ve never had a coach that had that much faith in me. So, it’s really important to me, and I’m looking [forward] to living up to it.”

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