Bulldogs pick up key grad transfer

Tom Crean and his Bulldog coaching staff have been scouring the transfer portal since the season came to an end last month.

Sunday they got one of their top targets, as former George Mason standout Justin Kier announced on Instagram that he will play his final season with the Bulldogs.

He chose Georgia over Minnesota and North Carolina State.

"This just felt like it was the right fit," Kier said in a brief telephone conversation with UGASports. "I really like what Coach Crean has been able to do, and the style of play. I'm looking forward to helping Georgia to shock the world."

The current coronavirus pandemic kept Kier from making an in-person visit to Athens, but was able to take a virtual tour on Zoom with Crean, Georgia's other coaches, and University staff.

He obviously liked what he saw. Although he doesn't currently know any of his new teammates, Kier is excited about ultimately getting to Athens to start bonding with his new team.

"I haven't met any of them yet, but throughout this crisis, that was going to be the case with most grad transfers, not being able to see your new teammates," Kier said. "That was the hardest part about the whole process, not being able to physically be there, but everything worked out."

The 6-foot-4, 197-pound native of Grottoes, Va. played in only nine games this year due to stress fracture, averaging 9.9 points before his season came to an end in early January.

As a junior, Mason led the Patriots in scoring at 14.5 points, earning Atlantic 10 Conference Most Improved Player honors and a spot on the All-Conference second team. He averaged 11 points his sophomore year.

Although Kier declined to expound on the exact role Crean has in mind, he's looking forward to what his new coach has in mind.

"I'm just looking forward to what I can contribute to that," Kier said. "The role he has in mind, I'm really glad and excited about it."

Kier joins signees K.D. Johnson, Jonathan Ned, Mikal Starks, Josh Taylor, and juco commit Ty McMillon out of Kilgore Community College in Texas.

The Bulldogs may not be done.

Should Rayshaun Hammonds elect to remain in the NBA Draft, Georgia would have one more scholarship available to fill.