Liberty basketball has completed a roster overhaul as the Flames prepare for its second season in Conference USA. With that overhaul, the Flames also saw several names enter the portal. Here’s a look at where those players have landed since entering the portal following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season:
Joseph Venzant – Abilene Christian
The 6’3″ guard and native of Midland, Texas, one of the Flames’ top defenders during his career in Lynchburg, averaged 5.2 points and 6.2 rebounds this past season while shooting 58.9% from the field. He was 4 of 16 from three this past season while starting 29 of 31 games played. Venzant was a starter at Liberty all three years, starting 96 of 100 games played. Venzant started all 36 games during the 2022-23 season, averaging 4.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, which was good for second on the team. He also led the squad with 64 offensive rebounds while finishing the year with 10 or more rebounds four times on the season including a season high 13. Venzant shot 62.5% from the field on the season.
Venzant lands back in his home state of Texas at Abilene Christian. The Wildcats were 16-18 this past season and 10-10 in the WAC.
Brody Peebles – Belmont
Peebles played in 32 games and started three this past season for the Flames, averaging 21.3 minutes per game. He also averaged 10.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 33.6% from three point range. In his three seasons at Liberty, Peebles played in 101 games for the Flames, starting in six games. Ranked as the No. 2 prospect from the state of Alabama by PrepHoops.com Peebles was a 2021 Alabama Class 5A All-State selection. He scored over 3,000 career points at Hartselle High School under head coach Faron Key while leading Hartselle to the Alabama 6A Regional finals in 2020.
Peebles has transferred to Belmont where he will play for former Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander who made a push for Brody out of high school. Belmont is much closer to Peebles’ home in Alabama. The Bruins were 20-13 last season and 12-8 in the Missouri Valley.
Ben Southerland – Wright State
Southerland scored 42 points in 26 games this season with the Flames. This was his first year of action on the court at Liberty after redshirting a season ago. Southerland played at Sycamore High School where he averaged 17 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals as a senior while shooting 50.6% from the floor.
Southerland has transferred to Wright State. The Raiders were 18-14 this past season and 13-7 in the Horizon League.
Jaylen Davis – undecided
Jaylen Davis, a 6’5” guard, originally from Richmond, Kentucky, redshirted this past season, his first year with the Flames’ program. He has not seemingly landed anywhere to this point.
