Southern Miss Star Isaac Taveras to Enter Transfer Portal
Southern Miss star guard Isaac Taveras plans to enter the transfer portal, according to Jeff Goodman. Taveras was second on the team in scoring this season.
Southern Mississippi 6-6 junior Isaac Tavares intends to enter the transfer portal, his agent Lenny Minaya (@Fdmathletics_) told @thefieldof68.
Tavaras averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals this past season.
Tavaras missed 13 games during the middle… pic.twitter.com/EQumosm6vK
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 17, 2026
Taveras spent one season in Hattiesburg, averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He finished second on the team in both categories. Taveras is not a traditional guard in today’s game, attempting 12 of his 13.3 shots per game from two-point range. He shot 51.5% from the field, but just 17% from three, relying heavily on his ability to score inside the arc.
Before arriving at Southern Miss, Taveras made two separate stops, first at Fresno State. As a freshman, Taveras appeared in 22 games, averaging five points and two rebounds per game. His season high was 16 points late in the season against Nevada.
He then went to South Plains CC for his sophomore season, playing in 35 games on a team that reached the NJCAA Division I semifinals. Over the season, Taveras averaged 16.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He also scored 20 or more points in 10 games. He was named a First Team NJCAA All-American and conference player of the year.
At Southern Miss, Taveras started the season scoring at an elite level, going for 28 points against Buffalo and 25 against South Carolina. In the middle of the season, he missed 13 games due to a wrist injury, which contributed to Southern Miss falling in the conference standings after a strong start. After returning, the team found its rhythm again, finishing the season on a more positive note.
In the final game of the season, Taveras scored 32 points in an impressive effort against Troy, once again showing his ability to take over offensively.
With his departure, the 6-foot-6 guard leaves a massive void in the backcourt that head coach Jay Ladner will have to fill next season. His absence will be felt on both ends of the floor, especially in a Sun Belt conference that continues to get deeper each year.
Taveras plans to enter the portal when it opens in April with one year of eligibility remaining and should draw interest from programs looking for an experienced, physical guard.