Hyder hits transfer portal as Fresno State continues to build depth at guard spots

As Fresno State men’s basketball coach Justin Hutson continues to add pieces to the Bulldogs’ backcourt, one guard is sliding out through a side door.

Jarred Hyder, who played in 26 games with 24 starts last season, has initiated a transfer out of the program, according to sources within the program.

Hyder had a fast start to his freshman season, scoring 20 or more points in three consecutive games in November. But there were injury issues through the season and in Mountain West Conference play his efficiency and production declined – Hyder hit 34.8% of his shots including 27.4% at the 3-point line in 18 conference games, averaging 8.0 points per game.

With the addition of DePaul graduate transfer Devin Gage and a good chance Tulsa transfer Isaiah Hill is eligible in 2020-21 through a waiver or the adoption by the NCAA of a one-time transfer rule, Hyder could have been looking at fewer minutes next season.

Texas-El Paso transfer Deon Stroud also is in that mix and the Bulldogs return guard Niven Hart, who ended his freshman season as one of their most consistent and productive pieces.

Hart averaged 16.8 points over the Bulldogs’ final eight games, scoring 30 in a victory at San Jose State.

Hutson also signed 6-5 guard Destin Whitaker from Romeoville, Ill., in November along with 6-7 wing Leo Colimerio from the Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, and 7-foot center Braxton Meah from San Joaquin Memorial High. Hutson is not allowed to comment on the new additions until they have signed a national letter of intent.

Gage on coming to Fresno State

Gage, who committed to Fresno State on Sunday, played in only 12 games last season at DePaul due to a hand injury. He was playing more off the ball, but in 2018-19 he started 33 games at point guard for the Blue Demons, averaging 9.1 points and 3.9 assists in 29.9 minutes per game.

“The first time I talked to Coach Hutson, he was straight up with me,” Gage said. “He needed a ball handler. He needed me to come in and be a leader and that was one of the things I was looking at in choosing my next school – a big opportunity. That’s what I’m coming in to do.”

Gage didn’t get a chance to make an official visit to Fresno State due to the coronavirus, and was recruited over Zoom and the phone.

“It’s a little tricky, but you follow your gut feeling, you follow your heart,” Gage said. “I felt like it was perfect timing.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 2:25 PM.