Dayton lands transfer from DePaul

Kobe Elvis, a 6-foot-2 point guard who played his freshman season at DePaul, is transferring to the University of Dayton, the Dayton Flyers announced Friday.

Elvis, who’s from Brampton, Ont., averaged 5.2 points and 1.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game last season for DePaul. He appeared in all 19 games for a team that finished 5-14 and started four games. He shot 42.3 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from 3-point range (13 of 31).

“We’re excited to announce the addition of Kobe Elvis to our basketball family,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said in a press release. “Kobe brings talent and skill to our backcourt, and combines that with a great work ethic and an unselfish mentality. He has demonstrated a knack for being able to score the ball and facilitate for his teammates. He will fit very well into our program and campus community.”

Elvis entered the transfer portal March 30. Nine players have left DePaul since December. DePaul fired coach Dave Leitao in March and hired Tony Stubblefield.

Elvis fills the last open scholarship for Dayton, which now has 13 scholarship players on the roster for the 2021-22 season. Seven of the 13 players will be newcomers.

“After talking with coach (Anthony) Grant and establishing that connection and thinking about the history with the team and winning basketball,” Elvis told 247Sports.com, “it’s a culture that I just wanted to join.”

Elvis is the third transfer to join the program this spring, following Toumani Camara (Georgia) and Richard Amaefule (East Tennessee State). Elvis has four seasons of eligibility remaining because the NCAA did not count the 2020-21 season against anyone’s eligibility.

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Elvis ranked 19th on a list by The Athletic of the top available transfers and incoming freshmen.

“The guard from Ontario, Canada, started four games as a freshman for the Blue Demons and showed some promise,” wrote Brian Bennett and Sam Vecenie. “He started four games and shot 41.9 percent on 3s, though he took only 31 of them. His 30.2 percent turnover rate was far too high, raising questions as to whether he can be a full-time point guard. But this is also a guy who averaged 14.5 points. 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists for UPLAY Canada in the Nike EYBL in the summer of 2019. There’s a lot of potential here. Some lower-tier power conference and upper-level mid-major teams have shown interest. And with a name like Kobe Elvis, he’s got to be good.”

Elvis will be the third Canadian to play for Dayton, following Dyshawn Pierre (2012-16) and Jordy Tshimanga (2018-21). He attended Bill Crothers Prep and averaged 26.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game as a senior.