Just days after UMass forward Matt Cross announced his transfer to SMU – one of five players to transfer away from the program this offseason – the Minutemen finally added their first piece to the 2024 roster on Tuesday night.

Bryant’s Daniel Rivera announced his decision to transfer to UMass on Instagram. Rivera started all but one game last year for Bryant, averaging 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 blocks. He has two remaining years of eligibility.

Rivera, who visited UMass on Tuesday and committed during his visit, is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico and played high school and prep basketball in the Bronx, New York. He joined his older brother, Mike, at junior college program Odessa College in Texas for his freshman year before transferring to Saint Louis for his sophomore season. He didn’t play for the Billikens and transferred to Bryant after the 2022-23 season.

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UMass is looking to replace its starting frontcourt from last season. Cross (SMU) and Josh Cohen (USC) were both Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference members in 2023-24. 

Though Rivera is listed at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, he ranked fourth in the America East in rebounds per game and second in blocks per game. He attempted nearly 80% of his field goals at the rim and struggled to shoot the ball – 10.7% from 3-point range and 46.9% at the free throw line. He finished the year with five straight double-doubles.

In addition to Cohen and Cross, key players Keon Thompson (Stephen F. Austin) and Robert Davis Jr. (Old Dominion) also transferred out of the program this offseason. Reserve center Mathok Majok transferred to Oral Roberts and reserve forward Tyler Mason entered the portal, though he has not yet signed with another team.

Junior Rahsool Diggins, sophomore Daniel Hankins-Sanford and freshmen Jayden Ndjigue and Jaylen Curry signed NIL deals to stay with the Minutemen. UMass also signed three new freshmen for next season in big man Luka Damjanac, small forward Nate Guerengomba and power forward Lewis Walker.