Latest news with #Ufochukwu
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke Fans React to Head-Turning Transfer Portal Move
The Duke Blue Devils and head coach Jon Scheyer were just one win away from making it to the national championship last season. Unfortunately, they came up short to the Houston Cougars. Heading into the offseason, it was expected that the program would lose both Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. That has become a reality, as both freshman standouts have entered the 2025 NBA draft. Advertisement Scheyer needed to add more talent to the roster to keep Duke in contention for the 2025-26 college basketball season. On Wednesday, he was able to add another potential key piece. As shared by the Blue Devils' official account on X, former Rice big man 24 has decided to commit to Duke after entering the transfer portal. One of the big needs for next season was more size. The Blue Devils could not have asked for much more than the 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame Ufochukwu brings to the court. Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Zanine-Imagn Images Fans took to the comments section, reacting to the intriguing transfer portal addition for Duke. "The last time Duke got a Nigerian big man transfer from Rice, they won a national championship," one fan wrote. Advertisement A second comment read, "Really nice pickup. With Ngongba and Brown having injury history, another big felt necessary to have as needed. Not expecting a ton of production, but great to have another large body on the team. Now bring Coward back and go get one more guard." "Former college teammate of Cam Sheffield & former AAU teammate of Caleb Foster," a third comment said. Another fan commented, "Wow.. duke finna be right back in the Final Four." During the 2024-25 college basketball season with Rice, Ufochukwu played in 16 games, averaging 1.8 points and 0.6 rebounds per game in 3.3 minutes per contest. Related: Major Mike Krzyzewski News Has Duke Fans Buzzing
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke's Jon Scheyer Gets Major Transfer Portal News on Wednesday
The Duke Blue Devils are fresh off a Final Four appearance, led by one of the top head coaches in college basketball, Jon Scheyer. Scheyer took over as the head coach of the program several years ago, replacing college basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski, and Duke hasn't skipped a beat. Advertisement The Blue Devils went 35-4 last season, led by one of the best freshman classes college basketball has ever seen, starring Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. While they made their mark last season, all three players are heading to the NBA Draft. This leaves Scheyer with major holes to fill, which he did on Wednesday. According to Matt Zenitz, Rice center transfer Ifeanyi Ufochukwu has signed with Duke. He will continue his college basketball career with Scheyer and the Blue Devils, attempting to replace the production that Flagg and Maluach leave behind as the team's lead rebounders. As Zenitz explained, Ufochukwu redshirted this past season. He played 16 games for Rice during the 2023-24 season and nine games for the college basketball program in the 2022-23 season. Advertisement During his last active season, Ufochukwu averaged 1.8 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. While he's had limited production during his college basketball career, Ufochukwu brings a much-needed paint presence at 6-foot-11 for Scheyer and the Blue Devils. Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Donnan-Imagn Images Duke marched their way to the Final Four last season after defeating Alabama, Arizona, Baylor and Mount St. Mary's in the NCAA Tournament. With Flagg and the rest of the freshmen leading the way, Duke was also able to earn themselves an ACC Tournament title. Related: Duke Reacts to Major Mike Krzyzewski Announcement on Tuesday Related: Bill Self Sends Strong Message After Kansas Assistant's Retirement Decision
