Ole Miss Lands Second Ex-Louisville Star in Chris Beard’s Transfer Recruiting Surge
The University of Mississippi men’s basketball program is rapidly becoming one of the more intriguing stories of the offseason, as head coach Chris Beard has secured another major addition from the transfer portal. On the heels of landing former Louisville guard Mike James, the Rebels have now added a second ex-Cardinal: center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. This marks a significant development for Beard, who is piecing together a transfer class that could elevate Ole Miss to SEC contention status.
Huntley-Hatfield, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound forward/center, originally signed with Tennessee as a five-star recruit before transferring to Louisville in 2022. Despite a rocky tenure with the Cardinals—where he showed flashes of elite ability but battled inconsistency—his physical tools and upside remain highly enticing. At Louisville last season, he averaged 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, shooting 53% from the field. Those numbers came amid a struggling Cardinals squad that finished just 8-24, limiting the national spotlight on Huntley-Hatfield’s individual performance.
With his commitment to Ole Miss, Huntley-Hatfield joins a rapidly transforming roster under Beard. His combination of size, rebounding, and scoring touch makes him an immediate impact player in Oxford, especially in a conference known for physicality in the post.
Chris Beard, entering his second year with the Rebels, has wasted no time retooling his roster. After a 20-win season in 2023-24 that ended just short of an NCAA Tournament berth, Beard is clearly aiming higher in 2025. The additions of Huntley-Hatfield and Mike James, another former Louisville standout, demonstrate Beard’s strategy of acquiring experienced, high-upside players through the portal. James, a dynamic scorer and playmaker, will provide firepower on the wing, while Huntley-Hatfield anchors the interior.
These additions reflect not only Beard’s aggressive recruiting philosophy but also his ability to attract top-tier talent despite Ole Miss’ middling basketball pedigree. Beard, of course, is no stranger to rapid turnarounds. He led Texas Tech to a national championship game appearance in 2019 and has a reputation for building tough, defense-oriented teams with a strong identity. With Ole Miss, he appears to be constructing a roster capable of competing at the highest level in the SEC.
The Rebels now boast a core that includes returning standout Matthew Murrell, a sharpshooting guard who considered the NBA Draft before opting to return, and Jaemyn Brakefield, a versatile forward. The infusion of portal talent adds depth, versatility, and experience. Huntley-Hatfield’s arrival, in particular, gives Ole Miss a legitimate presence in the paint—something they lacked consistently last season.
From a stylistic standpoint, Beard is likely to utilize Huntley-Hatfield in both traditional post-up scenarios and as a rim-runner in transition. His athleticism and mobility make him a fit for Beard’s preferred high-pressure defensive schemes, and his rebounding prowess will be key to igniting fast breaks.
The recruiting success also signals a larger trend: Ole Miss is becoming a destination for high-level transfers looking to rejuvenate their careers. Beard’s reputation and developmental track record make him a magnet for players seeking a structured, competitive environment. With the transfer portal now a dominant force in college basketball, programs like Ole Miss can close the gap with blue bloods by landing experienced, ready-to-play stars.
Still, questions remain. Can Beard mold this collection of talent into a cohesive unit? Will the ex-Louisville stars thrive in a new setting? And most critically—can Ole Miss make the leap to NCAA Tournament contention, or even challenge for the SEC title?
Only time will tell, but the early signs are promising. With Huntley-Hatfield and James on board, along with key returners and other incoming talent, the Rebels are poised to be one of the most fascinating teams in the SEC next season.
Chris Beard is betting big on talent, toughness, and transfers. If it all clicks, Ole Miss may soon shed its reputation as a basketball afterthought and emerge as a true contender in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences.
