Freshman guard Peter Bandelj will stay at Cal Poly and has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal after entering the portal earlier this offseason, he told Mustang News.
The Slovenian native played a key role in the Mustangs’ depth this season, averaging 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds a game and starting in 15 out of his 35 appearances.
In the Big West Championship quarterfinals against UC Riverside, he put up a 17-point performance with five 3-pointers. He also scored 24 points in the regular season against the Highlanders in the Mustangs’ comeback win in overtime on Feb. 22.
The 6 foot 4 guard broke out down the stretch of the season, scoring in double figures in eight of the team’s last 10 games.
He was one of the first recruits the Mustangs brought into their program after Mike DeGeorge was named head coach in March 2024.
Bandelj was an ideal fit in his first year with the program. He’s a taller guard who can defend multiple positions. On offense, Bandelj is adept at working his way to the basket and using his size to score over defenders. He attempted 148 free throws on the year and was top 30 in free throw rate amongst guards in Division I.
With Cal Poly losing four key seniors, Jarred Hyder, Mac Riniker, Owen Koonce and Isaac Jessup, Bandelj is expected to see an expanded role as a lead ball handler as Cal Poly rebuilds for the coming season.
The program recently signed another 6-foot-4 guard Jake Davis, transferring from West Valley College, to add more shooting depth.
In additon to Davis, the team will bring on four high school recruits to the program.
Point guard Jason Scott from Houston, Texas and wing Braden Freeman from Bradley Illinois are committed, according to Verbal Commits.
Two international players, Troy Plumtree from Wellington, New Zealand and the Cairo, Egypt native Ali Assran join the Mustangs as forwards.