Arizona backup center Emmanuel Stephen is headed to the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports, potentially cutting short the Wildcats' long-term experiment with the Nigeria native in the post.
Arizona big man Emmanuel Stephen has entered the transfer portal, per a @247Sports source.Former four-star recruit. He is repped by CAA's NIL Division.https://t.co/4XfzYbVZOH
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 31, 2025
Stephen played in only eight games as a freshman this season for the Wildcats, but was considered a long-term developmental prospect gifted with athleticism and length. He was also valued by his teammates for his lively personality and sense of humor.
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After he played two minutes in UA's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Akron on March 21, Stephen said he was prioritizing patience.
"It's kind of tough for me," he said. "But I know i'm in a good program. It might take two years or three years. We're just waiting for our time."
Akron guard Marvin Musiime-Kamali (23) undercuts Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) as he pulls down off of a Wildcat miss in the final minutes of the second half of their first-round game of the men’s NCAA Tournament in Seattle, March 21, 2025.
A native of Nigeria who committed to UA out of Glendale Dream City, Stephen was considered for a redshirt season but opted to play and received only 23 total minutes. The decision leaves him with three seasons to play college basketball elsewhere if he wants.
Stephen is the second Arizona player to reportedly hit the portal since the Wildcats' season ended last Thursday in a Sweet 16 loss to Duke. News of KJ Lewis' intention to enter the portal surfaced on Saturday.
