Senior forward Hunter Dean announced his intent to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal Monday on Instagram.

The announcement marks the fourth men’s basketball player to announce their intent to enter the portal just three days after junior center Noel Brown entered the portal. Dean has been with the Colonials for three seasons and played a key role in the Colonials’ late-season surge, starting in 26 games where he averaged 8.7 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game and 1.1 assists per game.

“Lastly to my teammates, I hope that you all find success ahead of you whether it’s on the court or in a different career,” Dean said in the post. “You guys are my brother and I will always pick up whenever you call. With all this being said, I am putting my name in the transfer portal. Thank you GW.”

Entry into the portal frees Dean up to leave GW and continue his career elsewhere, but it does not count as a final decision, leaving a return to the Colonials open as a possibility. Players returning to their original team after entering the portal could face a possible reduction or eliminations of their player’s scholarship next academic term.

GW Athletics Spokesperson Kevin Burke confirmed Dean’s entrance to the transfer portal.

Dean played a key role in the starting line up selected by Head Coach Chris Caputo for the the Atlantic 10 Tournament where he posted a near double-double against Saint Joseph’s with eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists.

Only three players – redshirt sophomore Keegan Harvey, sophomore guard Laziz Talipov and redshirt freshman guard Max Edwards – remain in the roster, as senior forward Ricky Lindo Jr, graduate student guard Theofanis Stamuoulis, graduate student guard Amir Harris, graduate student guard EJ Clark and graduate student guard Brendan Adams are set to graduate.

Senior guard James Bishop said in an interview last week that he is “definitely keeping his options open” as he mulls a transfer. A final year of graduate eligibility with the Colonials or an entry into professional basketball are both possible for Bishop.

The men’s basketball program has signed three new recruits for the incoming 2023-24 season that include IMG Academy guard Jacoi Hutchinson, Western Reserve Academy guard Trey Autry and Our Saviour Lutheran guard Christian Jones.

“You guys are the reason I am still playing and I am very grateful for how much you have done for me,” Dean said. “To everyone at GW I thank you for giving me a place to call home.”