Much-hyped McDonald’s All-American Shon Abaev will be leaving the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball program after one season.
On3 Sports first reported the move on Monday, April 6, even though the transfer portal doesn’t officially open until Tuesday, April 7.
Abaev, who committed to the Bearcats in Nov. 2024, shortly after attending their game in Atlanta vs. Georgia Tech enters the portal after averaging seven points and 2.9 rebounds per game for UC in 24 games.
The 6-foot-8, 210-pound guard shot 32.5% from the field, 26% on 3-pointers, and 65% from the free throw line. His best games were 20 points and eight rebounds against NJIT and an 18-point performance in his first regular-season game against Western Carolina.
Abaev was the second-highest ranked recruit in UC history (in the rankings era) behind Lance Stephenson. He was UC’s eighth McDonald’s All-American. Abaev and the Bearcats started off with a bang Oct. 17 when they went to Ann Arbor and defeated preseason No. 7 Michigan 100-98. Abaev joined Kerr Kriisa and Moustapha Thiam in scoring 15 points to lead UC.
By the end of December, he had lost his starting job, but he did score 13 points in 19 minutes in UC’s loss to eventual Big 12 champion Arizona in Tucson in January. Abaev battled injuries during some of the Big 12 campaign.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats lose much-hyped Shon Abaev to transfer portal
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
