In traditional times — before reduced restrictions on transfers and the proliferation of NIL dollars — East Carolina would be dealing with significant personnel losses from players who have completed their eligibility.

That group includes prolific scorer Jordan Riley, paint performer Giovanni Emejuru,  midseason boost Demetri Gardner and battling Luke Davis.

That quartet helped the Pirates go 6-6 to end the season after the offense was restructured to feature Riley following a series of injuries.

Those departures would be a lot to deal with in their own right but considering that eight more players have gotten into the transfer portal, ECU is looking at an extensive roster makeover.

American gets one bid

The Pirates were denied a spot in the American Conference tournament as a result of outcomes on the final day of the regular season.

The league went to a format this season that included the top 10 teams and excluded the last three. The reasoning was that the top teams in the league would have a better chance to advance to the NCAA tournament and earn revenue shares for the league membership with fewer teams in the conference event.

The plan didn’t play out this year as South Florida was the only team to make the field and that was by the league’s automatic bid as the American tournament champion.

Tulsa was runner-up in the NIT, vastly exceeding preseason expectations.

Postseason berths

Counting the NCAA tournament (68 with play-ins), the NIT (32) and the College Basketball Crown event in Las Vegas that invited eight teams, there were 108 postseason berths available this season.

There are 355 NCAA Division I programs so about 30 percent got to postseason play.

The CollegeInsider.com Tournament, which the Pirates won, in 2013, has gone inactive.

The College Basketball Invitational was canceled this year but stated that it would return in 2027.

ECU last played in the postseason in the CIT in 2014.

The Pirates made NCAA Tournament appearances in 1972 and 1993 after winning their league tournaments.

Prizes from the portal

ECU obviously will have to get some players from the portal to have a team next season.

Pirates coach Mike Schwartz has shown an ability to recruit well by that means.

Riley averaged 23.6 points in making first team all-conference in 2025-26 after stints at Georgetown and Temple.

It was announced Tuesday that Riley has been selected to play in the prestigious Portsmouth (VA) Invitational Tournament this week, which could enhance his pro prospects.

Emejuru spent time at Sam Houston State, Siena and George Mason before averaging 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds for ECU.

Gardner came from Division II Augusta in January and adjusted well, averaging 11.1 points.

Davis returned from New Orleans to his Winterville roots.

C.J. Walker was an impact player in 2024-25 when the Pirates went 19-14 as he came from Central Florida and averaged 16.7 points.

Schwartz and staff are no doubt pursuing similar values in the present portal market.

Lone signee

ECU has announced just one signee, but he is a good one, a 4-star recruit, 6-7 Dreylan Creasy from Blue Ridge School in Bryce, VA.

He chose the Pirates over offers that included Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.

He will have an opportunity to earn immediate playing time.

Summer development

When rosters were more cohesive from season to season, there was more emphasis on individual development in terms of physical improvement and refining skills in the offseason.

That’s still important.

But now, with the number of new players coming together, things have to happen in the summer in terms of bonding, team chemistry and understanding systems.

When the Pirates got 19 wins in 2024-25, they were able to play some games in the Bahamas in the summer, which helped that group develop as a team.

Rating the exits

Some of the players who got into the portal could rejoin the program. Some may have been advised that it would be in their best interests to leave.

Some will be missed.

Corey Caulker was a competitor who appeared to be developing at point guard with a 7.9 scoring average to go with 3.8 assists.

Reid Cason had come along in the frontcourt in two seasons with the Pirates. Being 6-10 and 240 pounds, he had post presence. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited time.

Injuries limited guards Travion LaBeaux and Tybo Bailey, who may just want a fresh start elsewhere.

Guard Isaiah Mbeng had his moments but lacked consistency, a description that would apply to guard Patrick D’Arcy and forward Vito Perkovic as well.

Perhaps it was unfortunate for LaDontae Felton that he was R.J. Felton’s younger brother. He never emerged from that label to form his own identity. Maybe he will flourish in another environment.

Still here

There is a nucleus of returning players that includes Jayshayne Woodard, Eli DeLaurier and Daithi Quinn. Woodard and Quinn were out with injuries for most (Woodard) or all of last season.

DeLaurier averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in sparse playing time after transferring from Providence.

The portal harvest, obviously, will be vital in determining the Pirates potential for success in 2026-27.