The former Northview standout and Western Michigan Bronco entered the transfer portal during a coaching change in Kalamazoo and found a new home far away from home. All Eyes on U Hoops was able to catch up with EJ and talk about the commitment.
\"I really feel like it was the best place for me.\" EJ said. \"The coaching staff has a clear plan on how they want to use me as a point guard and how they can develop those skills more while still using my off the ball skills as well.\" SDSU's head coach Bryan Peterson played point guard at Iowa State and EJ likes the vision he had for him. After getting into the portal EJ took visits to SDSU and CMU, and was also hearing from Eastern, Cleveland State, Ball State and Western Carolina.
At the end of the season the plan was for EJ's brother, Cam, to join him at Western, and EJ does think that would have happened if the coaching change did not take place, but once it did they both wanted to make their own decision. \"We talked about playing together somewhere and some schools did talk to both of us about that but we both really wanted to do what was best for us and our own journey.\" EJ added \"Hopefully now we can play against each other sometime, but I haven't looked at the schedules to see if that is possible.\"
Being recruited both out of high school and the portal EJ was able to reflect on what is similar and different about them. \"I feel like coming from high school is more based on your potential and how they can develop you.\" EJ said. \"It's like a fresh slate to show what you can do at the college level. While in the portal, your stats are your stats and what you have done leads to if you transfer to a \"higher\" or \"lower\" level.\" EJ added \"They are both a like in the schools contacting you, making sure you have your transcripts and everything and then going on visits. The portal is just sped up since there are so many players in there and not a lot of time.\"
Why it may surprise some people EJ picked a school so far away that was one of the reasons he did pick it. \"I really wanted to get out of my confront zone and meet new people.\" EJ said, \"So while it may be a negative that it is so far away, I am really turning it into a positive.\" EJ also really enjoyed his visit there and it really felt like home. \"The campus environment had a great feel to it.\" EJ said. \"I got to meet some of the other players and we just clicked right away, and I really feel we can be successful and win a lot of games there.\" EJ added \"The entire community was great, I mean I got to meet the Athletic Director and the school's President on my visit which I thought was really cool, you don't get to meet AD\"s and Presidents on all your visits.\"