Fresno State basketball coach Vance Walberg said toward the end of the season that he could see as many as 12 of his players enter the NCAA transfer portal, and with a roster limit of 15 and two graduating seniors that obviously does not leave much of a starting point for what is Walberg’s pivotal third year with the program.

Eight players had announced their intentions to transfer prior to the opening of the portal window on Tuesday. And according to sources, there are another four players intending to enter the portal before it closes in 15 days. Also, guards Cameron Faas and Jake Heidbreder, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer a year ago, each have exhausted their eligibility.

The Bulldogs’ coach, who signed an unconventional three-year contract with an option for two more years when hired in 2024, was able to piece together a credible roster last season with the addition of Heidbreder and players from Europe. But the challenges could be greater this time around, without a larger revenue-sharing pool to attract players.

“It’s just different times, and I understand why people are a little frustrated,” Walberg said, last month. “But if we don’t do it, we’re going to be in big trouble.”

A player can always remove himself from the portal, but who is left at this point? And who is leaving?

Already in portal, or headed there:

Deshawn Gory

The 6-foot-6 guard is a significant loss for the Bulldogs. Gory averaged 13.7 points per game, the most by a Fresno State freshman since Paul George put up 14.3 in 2008-09, and George averaged more than five minutes more time on the floor.

Wilson Jacques

The 7-footer from France could pose matchup problems for opponents. He averaged 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but he was not exactly a force around the basket at the offensive end. In 40% of his games, he hit 40% or fewer of his shots from inside the 3-point line.

Zaon Collins

Collins had a solid second season at Fresno State, but an upgrade is needed. He averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 assists per game. The Bulldogs at times struggled at the offensive end down the stretch of winnable games.

David Douglas

Has had two injury-plagued seasons at Fresno State after transferring in from Green Bay. He played in just six games as a sophomore and 18 last year. Useful piece, if healthy.

Jac Mani

Transfer from UC Davis played in 26 games off the bench and actually took more shots per minute played than Heidbreder, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer.

Gasper Kocevar

The 6-foot-10 center played in 26 games with five starts, averaging 13.5 minutes per game. Kocevar averaged just 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Makhan Diouf

Diouf started the first two games last season, but played 10 or more minutes just three times. He hit only 26.1% of his shots and was 1 of 11 at the 3-point line.

Matteo Porto

One of the Bulldogs’ international imports last season. Played an average of 3.4 minutes over 14 games, hitting just 2 of 15 shots.

Bastien Rieber

Started the final four games at point guard when Collins was sidelined. The Bulldogs averaged just 64.5 points per game in that stretch, almost 10 points per game under season average.

Aram Soqui Urbano

Got a chance to play some late in the year, averaging 13.6 minutes over the final seven regular season games. Played only one minute in a loss to Colorado State in conference tournament.

Troy Jenkins

Sophomore guard played a total of three minutes in two games last season.

Returning?

DJ Stickman

The Clovis West graduate showed some upside in his freshman season, when healthy. He played 17.5 minutes per game in non-conference play and shot the ball very well.

Nathan Zulemie

The 6-4 guard from France did not play in his first season at Fresno State.

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