Samford forward Achor Achor announces intention to enter NCAA transfer portal
Just before the transfer portal window closed, a big name announced he is preparing to enter. Samford forward Achor Achor said late Wednesday he plans to hit the portal.
Achor was a first team All-SoCon selection this past season as he put up huge numbers. He averaged 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds to help lead the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament. He again had a big game against Kansas on the big stage, dropping 23 points and pulling down eight rebounds in the eventual 93-89 loss to the Jayhawks.
Achor spent two years with Samford and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
“I appreciate everyone at Samford University for the last 2 years of my career,” Achor wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I had a great time with everyone and am extremely proud of our accomplishments together! With that being said I’m excited to announce that I have entered my name into the Transfer Portal!”
Achor appeared in 30 games as a freshman in 2022-23 and made just one start as he averaged 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. But he found himself as not only a starter, but Samford’s top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker as he also chipped in 1.8 blocks per game in addition to his 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
What Wednesday’s transfer portal deadline means
The men’s basketball transfer portal opened the day after Selection Sunday and remained open until 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday. Achor’s announcement came a little less than two hours before the deadline, and the compliance officers have 48 hours to officially enter his name into the portal.
Once the calendar moved to Thursday, paperwork cannot be submitted anymore. That now includes graduate transfers after the NCAA announced new transfer portal legislation. Under the previous rules, grad students could enter the portal at any time. With the update, they also had to submit their paperwork by Wednesday’s deadline, and some players announced their intentions to enter while keeping NBA Draft options open as a result of the change.
“Student-athletes who plan to enroll as graduate students at their next school can enter the portal at any time during the academic year but must enter the portal prior to the conclusion of their respective sports’ final transfer windows,” the NCAA wrote in a press release.