By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Senior Staff Writer
Alvaro Cardenas dribbles the ball up the court – photo by Andrew Hartley | The Spear
After three seasons with San Jose State junior guard Alvaro Cardenas has announced he is entering the transfer portal for his senior season according to his Instagram.
In a statement released on Instagram, Cardenas spoke on his gratitude to have played at SJSU.
“My heart is filled with gratitude for our unforgettable journey at San Jose State,” Cardenas said. “I want to thank Coach Miles for giving me the opportunity to play at the Division 1 level when no one else would.”
Cardenas is coming off of a career year where his 13.2 PPG was his highest total of his career. The Spartans offense relied heavily on Cardenas and losing to the portal is a massive blow to the team.
“We lost so many close games (this season),” assistant coach Jeff Strohm said. “It’s been hard, but he’s still been able to rally the troops, his growth and handling that has been fantastic.”
Not only is SJSU losing a top player, but a leader of the team as well. Cardenas was the one running the Spartans offense and constantly trying to light a fire under his teammates throughout the whole game.
Cardenas had five games this season where he put up 20 plus points including a season-high 23 points in a November 20 win against Hampton during the Paradise Jam.
The Spartans will also greatly miss Cardenas’ passing abilities as he had four games this season putting up a double-double with 10 assists.
Cardenas was not the only name to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday as Senior forward Tibet Goerner announced he will be entering as well.
This season Goerner became the all-time Spartan leader in three-pointers made. Unless Goerner has a change of heart and decides to return, the record will sit at 174 threes made.
Goerner’s top performance of the season came with a monster 32-point performance in a 85-82 loss to Fresno State.
Goerner’s posted career highs with 11.4 PPG as well as his 39.5% shooting from the field and 33.9% from beyond the arc.
San Jose State will now look to the transfer portal to help build up its own roster and one confirmed offer has been extended to Oral Roberts guard Jailen Bedford.
Bedford averaged 14.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG and will help the Spartans with two big needs in those departments if he chooses to commit.
San Jose State has now had two of its top scorers enter the transfer portal and whoever comes in to replace them will have some big shoes to fill.