Rodney Chatman enters transfer portal after three years with Dayton flyers

Dayton Flyers guard Rodney Chatman put his name in the transfer portal on Tuesday after three years at the University of Dayton and two on the court.

Chatman, a fifth-year senior who played his first two seasons at Chattanooga, explained his decision in posts to Instagram and Twitter.

“It has been a great three years here,” Chatman wrote. “I will forever appreciate my time and the history made here. Playing in the NCAA tournament has always been my goal, and last year unfortunately that opportunity was taken away from us. I would like to thank all my teammates I’ve had here as we’ve become brothers. Also thanks to the great coaching staff and trainers for helping me be the best version of myself.”

“With that being said, I have talked this matter over with my family, and we have come to the decision that I will be entering my name in the transfer portal as I will weigh my options to make the best decision moving forward as a grad transfer or professionally. Thank you, Flyer Nation.”

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Chatman’s decision came one day after freshman guard Luke Frazier entered the transfer portal. As of Tuesday afternoon, 762 players had entered the transfer portal, according to the list kept at VerbalCommits.com. Last year, the number reached 1,026.

Chatman joins Davidson guard Kellan Grady on the list of seniors in the portal. With the NCAA not counting this season against anyone’s eligibility, they have the option of playing one more season of college basketball. The NCAA is also expected to approve a one-time transfer rule, so players would not have to sit out this season, though in Chatman’s case, he’d be a graduate transfer who wouldn’t have to sit out anyway.

In two seasons at Dayton, Chatman appeared in 43 games, starting all but one of those. He averaged 7.8 points and 3.3 assists. He was one of three players to start all 31 games during the historic 29-2 season of 2019-20 along with Ryan Mikesell and Obi Toppin. Chatman has 895 points in his career counting the two seasons at Chattanooga.

This season, Chatman started the first six games but suffered a torn ligament in his right hand during the Atlantic 10 Conference opener against La Salle on Dec. 30 and missed the next 11 games. He returned to action Feb. 16 in a 91-89 overtime loss at Rhode Island and returned to the starting lineup in the next game as Dayton beat Saint Louis 76-53.

Dayton has filled 11 of 13 scholarships on the 2021-22 roster. If any senior decides to return, they would not count against that total. Ibi Watson, a fifth-year senior guard, said earlier this month he had not ruled out returning for one more season.