Missouri State basketball point guard Demarcus Sharp enters transfer portal

Wyatt D. Wheeler, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read

After a year plagued by a leg injury, Demarcus Sharp has entered the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-3 senior point guard will depart MSU after two seasons. The 2021 Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer selection couldn't stay healthy for a full season with the Bears when he came to the program as a prized juco recruit.

At Colby Community College, he was a first-team All-American and was destined to be the Bears' starting point guard during his time on campus.

The 2020-21 season saw him play in 21 of 24 games but he battled through injuries and didn't get fully healthy and comfortable until the midway point of the year. A strong finish set up anticipation for the 2021-22 season.

More: Missouri State starting guard Ja'Monta Black becomes second Bear to hit transfer portal on Tuesday

But Sharp didn't see the floor much as he made five early-season starts and eight total appearances. He dealt with a leg injury that ultimately required him to undergo surgery for a stress fracture. The Bears held out hope that he could return for postseason play but it didn't happen.

Although Sharp could decide to return, his career in a Bears uniform could end with 17 starts and 29 total appearances. He averaged 7.3 points, four rebounds and 3.8 assists between his two seasons.

Sharp has his season of COVID-19 eligibility remaining but he could be given an additional year after an injury-plagued 2021-22 season.

Demarcus Sharp, of Missouri State, brings the ball down the court during the Bears game against Alabama State at JQH Arena on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Demarcus Sharp, of Missouri State, brings the ball down the court during the Bears game against Alabama State at JQH Arena on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

Point guard help was going to be a major need for Missouri State heading into the offseason and Sharp's departure makes it a bigger one. Lu'Cye Patterson stepped up for the Bears at the spot this past season when it's not his natural position.

Sharp became the first Bear to enter the transfer portal this offseason with starting guard Ja'Monta Black joining him later in the day. It comes a day after associate head coach Corey Gipson was hired as the head coach at Northwestern State.

Missouri State currently has one open scholarships for next season.

Current Missouri State 2022-23 roster

  • Dawson Carper, C, 5th year

  • Nic Tata, F, 5th year

  • Isiaih Mosley, G, Sr.

  • Donovan Clay, G/F, Sr.

  • Lu'Cye Patterson, G, Jr.

  • Melvyn Ebonkoli, F, R-So.

  • Raphe Ayres, G, R-So.

  • Skylar Wicks, G, R-So.

  • Isaac Haney, G, So.

  • NJ Benson, F, Fr.

  • Jonathan Dunn, F, Fr.

  • Jalen Hampton, F, Fr.

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Demarcus Sharp: Missouri State point guard enters transfer portal