Jameel Mckay announces his transfer from Marquette

Photo by Ryan Messier

Jameel McKay had yet to suit up for one game at Marquette before declaring his intention to transfer on Twitter.

After long talk with family I will be transferring from MU great place and program now I’m looking forward to searching for a new Home

— FromRags2Riches (@ShowTime_McKay) October 17, 2013

I appreciate coaching staff and fans no hard feelings at all GoodLuck to them this year!

— FromRags2Riches (@ShowTime_McKay) October 17, 2013

As of 11 a.m. on Thursday the exact reasons for McKay’s departure are unknown, as is his potential landing place.

McKay came in as a junior after transferring from Indian Hills Community College in Iowa where he was a two-time All-American. He was expected to be a contributor from day one and was heralded as another potential under-the-radar impact recruit.

Buzz Williams’ affinity for junior college players is well documented, as we detailed in our six-part series on Marquette’s head coach. “I’m a f—–g junior-college guy. So you look at me different because I’m the coach, but you’re going to talk about those guys? I’m not good with that,” Williams told Paint Touches. “I am an ass when it comes to that sort of stuff. I’m going to protect my people, no matter what you think of them. “

The transfer by McKay is the first ever for a junior college recruit under Williams. Of the five JUCO players to play for him at Marquette, four have reached the NBA and three have graduated.

McKay’s departure won’t have as much impact on the team this season as it will next. With an experienced frontline of Davante Gardner and Chris Otule, Marquette has plenty of size there, not to mention Steve Taylor and Jamil Wilson able to slot in to the frontline at any point. Next season, though, with WIlson, Gardner and Otule graduating, size will definitely be an issue. Marquette has played with small forwards/centers before, think Dwight Burke, Lazar Hayward or even Jae Crowder, but it is not an ideal situation.

At the moment, Marquette is keying on a 6-foot-8 forward, Tory Miller, but competition with Colorado is fierce. Satchel Pierce is another big man target Williams has offered, though the 7-footer is drawing strong interest from Pitt as well.

As for McKay, the Milwaukee native participated in the Marquette Madness events just a week ago, but won’t get to represent in front of his hometown friends and family.