WVU Basketball Players React to Bridges, Cottrell Departures

Following the transfer portal announcements by West Virginia starters Jalen Bridges and Isaiah Cottrell, WVU basketball players reacted to the news. WVU seniors Kedrian Johnson, Taz Sherman, Dimon Carrigan and Gabe Osabuohien took their reactions to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

man oh man, my guys 🤦🏾‍♂️

— Kedrian Johnson⚡️🖤 (@Thekeddy0) March 16, 2022

Goodlucc family @jalenbridgess https://t.co/P47EN64BK0

— TAZ1️⃣2️⃣ (@Okaytazoo) March 16, 2022

It’s more than basketball with us love you gang wish you nothing but the best I’ll definitely pop up on you wherever you end up https://t.co/vWtiH1zLPH

— Dimon Carrigan (@DimonCarrigan) March 16, 2022

Bizzle , love ya 💙🩸 https://t.co/dm80i0M1h8

— Gabe Osabuohien (@loadyg__) March 16, 2022

Bridges, a Fairmont native, spent three years at WVU, playing in two seasons and 61 games. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks through 33 games this past season.

Bridges moved into the starting lineup halfway through the 2020-21 season after Oscar Tshiebwe left. Bridges helped the Mountaineers solidify their new lineup in the middle of the season as they earned a 3-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Cottrell spent most of his freshman year on the sidelines, recovering from an Achilles injury suffered back in Dec. 2020. From then, the Las Vegas native completed a full recovery to begin his second year for the Mountaineers. Cottrell started at center for most of the year, averaging 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks through 33 games.

Cottrell tells WV Sports Now that he has received interested from about 15 schools so far.

Johnson announced on Wednesday afternoon that he will opt-in to his fifth season at WVU.