Texas A&M Basketball: Kennedy adds 2018 JUCO transfer, targeting top grad transfer

Texas A&M basketball has had an up and down offseason, and things could be trending up finally as Billy Kennedy has added a JUCO transfer and is the favorite to land a top graduate transfer.

Texas A&M men’s basketball has suffered through some ups and downs this offseason — mostly downs. They thought they landed a top 2018 recruit in Antwann Jones, only to see him request a release and sign with Penny Hardaway at Memphis.

All three of their 2015 prized recruiting class decided to declare for the NBA Draft, although Tyler Davis and Admon Gilder could still come back. DJ Hogg has hired an agent and will forgo his senior season.

They got great news when Wendell Mitchell — the top rated junior college transfer prospect — committed last week. It was a much-needed win in a long string of losses.

They picked up another victory this week and might be in line for another.

Kennedy added JUCO wing Brandon Mahan, who could be an option to replace Hogg’s range in the lineup next season. Mahan shot 50 percent from downtown in his one year with Chipola College in Florida.

"“I’m excited to add Brandon to our program,” head coach Billy Kennedy said. “He’s an outstanding shooter who can also score off the dribble. He made 88 3-pointers in one of the best junior college leagues in the country. His size and athleticism make him a great fit for the SEC. He’s got great upside and comes to Texas A&M with three years of eligibility.”"

Mahan played just one year of JUCO and will be able to play three years with the Aggies.

Another potential win could come by way of a graduate transfer. Texas A&M Corpus Christi guard Ehab Amin reportedly has the Aggies at the top of his list of places to play in 2018.

Amin is a defensive point guard and would fit very well with coach Kennedy. Given the lack of depth at guard the Aggies suffered through this season, Amin would be a welcome addition as a potential senior leader.

He is one of the most sought after graduate transfers in the country and has offers from Florida State, Arizona, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, Nevada, Ohio State, Texas, BYU and Louisville, according to 247 Sports. A&M is also one of those schools, and Amin says he likes what he sees.

"“It’s an SEC school, a league I like a lot,” Amin said. “I like how they play defense. I’m a big guard who likes to rebound and push the ball in transition. I know they may need some depth in the backcourt, and they can look to someone like me to help run the offense. I watched the North Carolina game. They showed a lot of potential and how far they can go. They’ve got some young guys, and they really showed how dangerous they can be.”"

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Landing Amin would be a major win for Kennedy who has struggled to attract big names in the 2018 class thus far.

Jeff Shull is a Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.