Akok Akok transferred from UConn men’s basketball

UConn men’s basketball big man Akok Akok has entered the transfer portal, according to the Twitter account @VerbalCommits. Akok will have two more years of eligibility and can play immediately due to new NCAA transfer rules.

Akok, a 6-foot-9 junior from New Hampshire, signed with the Huskies during Dan Hurley’s first season at Storrs and signed up at the start of the 2019 spring semester. team to close out the 2018-19 season, Akok showed incredible promise as a first-year shot blocker and scorer, averaging 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. His freshman season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles tendon against Memphis, ending his freshman season and ultimately impacting most of the rest of his time at UConn.

Even though Akok has fully recovered from his Achilles injury this season, he has struggled with foot injuries and struggled to work his way through the rotation. He has played 23 games this season and has been an impact player on both sides while on the ground – he shot 46.4% from 3-point range on 28 attempts and blocked 25 shots during the season while changing countless others. He finished last season averaging 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Akok’s departure leaves UConn with just seven scholarship players on the current roster, four of which are inexperienced underclassmen. The Huskies will certainly reload through the transfer portal this offseason and have already expressed interest in many options, but will have to replace a significant amount of contribution from both sides. In addition to losing RJ Cole, Tyrese Martin, Isaiah Whaley and Tyler Polley through graduation, the Huskies also lost Corey Floyd Jr. and Jalen Gaffney — two guards who were expected to be major contributors this season — as well as Rahsool Diggins.