Drake point guard Joseph Yesufu enters transfer portal

Drake men's basketball has been dealt a blow.

Joseph Yesufu, the sophomore Bulldog point guard who blossomed into a rising star after Roman Penn's season-ending injury in February, entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday. He averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting 38.4% from long range this season en route to Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Drake's coaching staff was under the impression that all scholarship players were set to return next year.

"I will forever be grateful for everything you have done for me," Yesufu said of Drake in a tweet confirming that he's transferring. "With that being said, after talking with my family, I will be entering the transfer portal."

Yesufu is likely to generate plenty of interest on the transfer market, including from high-major suitors. He starred in Drake's two NCAA Tournament games, scoring 21 points in the First Four win over Wichita State and 26 in the loss to USC. The 6-foot score-first point guard has the speed to get past anybody and the ability to score at a high level from anywhere on the floor.

Drake now has two open 2021 scholarships.

Matthew Bain covers recruiting and pretty much anything else under the sports sun for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network.  Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.