After roughly a week out from the NCAA Transfer Portal opening up, Florida Atlantic Men’s Basketball and head coach John Jakus have finally landed their first addition via the transfer portal on Tuesday evening.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello posted on Twitter/X that Georgia State guard and former four-star Jelani Hamilton is transferring to Florida Atlantic.

Hamilton, who will have 2 years of eligibility remaining, balled out for the Georgia State Panthers last season, averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. The 6-foot-5 guard finished with Second Team All-Sun Belt honors, scoring 20+ points in 11 games, as well as a 38-point explosion in late January.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Hamilton is a talented combo guard who can score at all three levels and make plays for others when necessary. He is also a very determined defender, having the ability to play passing lanes and cause havoc. The only question for the former four-star is his streaky shooting, as he shot 37% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc. John Jakus and Co. will need to reel this in and improve Jelani’s efficiency to get the absolute best version of him.

With Hamilton joining returning guard Kanaan Carlyle in the backcourt next season, the Owls could have a really good tandem in their midst, with two combo guards who can get you a bucket and make more than an impact defensively.

With 10 FAU players having entered the portal so far, one of the many roster holes was in the backcourt, and the Owls start off in a great place filling that hole. Hamilton will join returning guard Kanaan Carlyle in the backcourt, a great-looking for 1-2 punch for John Jakus next season

Welcome to Paradise, Jelani!

Cover Photo Credits: Georgia State Sports