21-04-2025
Conference Player of the Year Makes Final Transfer Portal Decision
John Groce and the Akron Zips reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament after capturing the MAC Conference Tournament title.
The Zips finished the regular season with a 28-6 overall record, including an impressive 17-1 mark in MAC play.
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Akron was the conference's lone representative in the NCAA Tournament. However, their postseason run was short-lived, as they struggled in their opening game and fell 93-65 to the Arizona Wildcats.
Despite the early exit, the Zips' successful season brought several individual accolades. Notably, Nate Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Following the conclusion of the season, Johnson announced that he would be moving on from Akron.
He has since chosen his next destination, making the leap from the MAC to the Big 12 Conference.
Joe Tipton of On3 Sports made the news official on Sunday: "NEWS: Akron transfer guard Nate Johnson has committed to Kansas State, he told @On3sports."
In Johnson's final season with the Zips, he posted 14 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
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Johnson will now suit up for Jerome Tang in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats have missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, though they reached the Elite Eight in 2023.
Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34).© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In addition to Johnson, Kansas State has added two other transfers. Abdi Bashir Jr., a guard from Monmouth, is expected to contribute significantly on offense after averaging 20.1 points per game.
The other addition is Khamari McGriff, a 6-foot-9 forward from UNC Wilmington. McGriff was one of the top sixth men in the country, averaging 11.6 points per game and helping lead the Seahawks to the NCAA Tournament.
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