Apr 29, 2026 By Chris Dugan 4 min read

Like it or not, the transfer portal has changed college basketball, not only at the Division I level but Division II as well. We’re in a new era.

And the winds of change have swept through the men’s basketball program at Penn West California for the second consecutive year.

The Vulcans, who went 23-9 this past season and beat eventual NCAA Division II national champion Gannon twice in four meetings, have been hit hard again by transfers. Three Vulcans have moved on to Division I programs.

Bryson Lucas, a super-athletic 6-7 forward who was an all-region selection this year and a two-time PSAC West Defensive Player of Year, has transferred to Florida Gulf Coast. Lucas averaged a team-high 17.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Lucas has one season of eligibility remaining.

The coach at Florida Gulf Coast is former Penn State coach Patrick Chambers.

“Bryson is a proven winner and fierce competitor who played a key role in a conference championship last season,” Chambers said. “A true three-level scorer, he brings defensive versatility across multiple positions. His impact will be felt immediately, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our program.”

Jordyn Buchanan, a 6-5 swingman, has transferred to East Carolina. Buchanan was the Vulcans’ second-leading scorer at 15.3 points per game and shot 39 percent from three-point range. He made three free throws with two seconds remaining to give Cal an 80-79 win over Gannon in the PSAC tournament championship game.

Buchanan will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“I definitely have a chip on my shoulder,” Buchanan told a website that covers East Carolina sports. “Many people think I can’t do it. But that’s why I’m here, to prove them wrong. I’m expecting to make a big impact. I know there are going to be some new things I have to pick up on. But I am a quick learner. I know I can adjust well. I’m looking forward to stepping into the spotlight and ball out from there.”

Antoine Arnett, a 6-7 forward who started all 30 games for Cal, is headed to Indiana University-Indianapolis in the Horizon League. Arnett averaged 15 points per game and had a season-high of 26.

Arnett has two years of eligibility left.

That brings the total of six players in two years that Cal has lost to Division I schools. Lucas, Buchanan and Arnett followed Cam Polak (Youngstown State), Keith Palek (Missouri State) and Donald Whitehead (UNC-Greensboro), who exited a year ago. It means that Vulcans head coach Danny Sancomb is bringing in the right guys. However, keeping them on the roster for four years has proven difficult.

For Sancomb and California, they have to contend with the new reality – the out-of-control transfer portal has made Division II programs simply a stepping stone for players as they chase NIL money or Division I dreams.

With the type of life-altering money that’s available at the Division I level, Division II programs will always lose out on elite talent, if that’s a priority for a player.

At the Division II level, coaches don’t like it but they have accepted that players they recruit are no longer guaranteed to spend four years at their school. It’s more likely to be two years, and if they have Division I skills and no off-court or classroom issues, it could be only one season. That has to be the recruiting pitch, because if it’s not, coaches will lose out on the most talented guys, even if they are essentially only a short-term rental.

Sports editor Chris Dugan can be reached at dugan@observer-reporter.com