ATHENS – Georgia basketball recruiting has picked up as the Bulldogs on Saturday locked down their second transfer in a week. And it’s another good one.
Jalen DeLoach, a long, tall rim protector from Savannah, announced via social media early Saturday that he decided on UGA as a transfer destination. Georgia confirmed that DeLoach had signed when it issued a release a couple of hours later.
A 6-foot-9, 215-pound sophomore, DeLoach played the past two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth, where he averaged 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while starting 32 of 34 games. He was an extremely active player for the Rams, logging 47 blocks, 36 steals and 89 offensive rebounds in those 34 games. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Bulldogs.
DeLoach’s addition comes on the heels of Georgia signing of RJ Melendez, a 6-7 wing player out of Florida who played at Illinois the past two seasons. Last season, Melendez averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 boards while starting 18 of 32 games for the Fighting Illini. Playing through a shoulder injury all season, some of Melendez’s best work came in the NCAA Tournament against Arkansas, when he had 10 points and six rebounds. He shot 60% from 3-point range as a freshman and is an 83% career free-throw shooter.
DeLoach and Melendez are the first two of what’s expected to be several transfer additions for White, who returns only six players from the team that went 16-16 in his first season as Georgia’s coach. Two players left with eligibility remaining, including rising senior Kario Oquendo, who transferred to Oregon, and point guard Terry Roberts, who turned pro.
DeLoach is an excellent fit for the Bulldogs, who are seeking some size and athletic ability in the paint with the graduation of Braelen Bridges. Growing seven inches between his freshman and sophomore years in high school, DeLoach has moved around a lot since then. He spent a postgraduate year at Skill Factory Prep in Atlanta, following one-year stints at Berkmar High in Lilburn and Gray Collegiate in Columbia, South Carolina. He was a 3-star prospect averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists when he signed with the Rams.
DeLoach is the fourth newcomer to sign with the Bulldogs. In November, Georgia signed two players ranked in the top 100 of the 247Sports Composite in No. 83 Dylan James, a power forward from Winter Haven (Fla.) High School, and No. 100 Lamariyon “Mari” Jordan, a small forward from Norcross High.
The Bulldogs can sign at least three more players for the 2023-24 campaign, the second under White. Georgia saw a 10-win improvement in White’s first season as coach.
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