Tag: Kario Oquendo georgia

Georgia basketball’s Kario Oquendo makes NBA draft decision

Georgia basketball star Kario Oquendo has entered the transfer portal and NBA draft

Georgia basketball standout Kario Oquendo has declared for the 2023 NBA draft. Oquendo is also entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal. Oquendo is still able withdraw from the draft and return to college.

Oquendo was the team’s leading scorer in 2021-2022 (15.2 points per game). He entered the transfer portal last offseason, but ultimately elected to return to Athens.

Kario Oquendo averaged 12.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in 2022-2023. Oquendo connected on just 26.7% of his three-point attempts.

The junior guard transferred to Georgia from Florida SouthWestern where he was named first-team All-Southern Conference in 2020. One of Kario Oquendo’s former Florida SouthWestern teammates, Terry Roberts, followed him to Georgia. Roberts also elected to enter the NBA draft.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Kario Oquendo joins a bunch of college basketball players in the transfer portal. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Oquendo’s decision to return to Athens helped Georgia have a better season in 2022-2023. Georgia improved from six wins to 16 wins in the first season under head coach Mike White.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound guard has played in 60 games over the last two seasons for Georgia basketball.

Oquendo announced his plans for the NBA draft and his intention to enter the transfer portal via Twitter:

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UGA basketball’s Kario Oquendo withdraws from transfer portal

Georgia basketball star Kario Oquendo, the team’s leading scorer last season, has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal

Georgia basketball star Kario Oquendo, the team’s leading scorer in 2021-2022 (15.2 ppg), has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal. Oquendo’s pending return is huge for first-year head coach Mike White, who is trying to fill out the Bulldogs’ roster.

The sophomore guard transferred to Georgia from Florida SouthWestern where he was named first-team All-Southern Conference in 2020. Oquendo shot 40.3% on three pointers during the 2020-2021 season with Florida SouthWestern, so he could outperform his 27.2% three-point shooting in 2021-2022.

Oquendo played well under Tom Crean, but that didn’t translate into wins as Georgia finished last in the SEC and the Bulldogs finished 6-26. His return gives the Dawgs something to build with. Oquendo started 31 games for Georgia last year.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Kario Oquendo was a bright spot for the Dawgs last season. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s roster will look very different in 2022-2023, but a few pieces appear to be in place. Jailyn Ingram is looking to have an extra season of eligibility from the NCAA after suffering a season-ending injury early last season.  Forward Jabri Abdur-Rahim, who averaged 18.9 minutes per game, and forward Braelin Bridges, who started all 32 games last season, are both returning.

Mike White has already added Longwood transfer Justin Hill and is looking to add more talent.

Numerous Georgia Bulldogs remain in the transfer portal: Josh Taylor, Tyrone Baker, Jaxon Etter, Jonathan Ned, Tyron McMillan, Christian Wright, Cam McDowell, Noah Baumann and Dalen Ridgnal.

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Georgia basketball loses leading scorer to transfer portal

The Dawgs lose their second player in as many days to the transfer portal…

Georgia basketball has lost Kario Oquendo, the team’s leading scorer in 2021 (15.2 ppg), to the transfer portal, according to Rivals.

That marks the second transfer in as many days after small forward Dalen Ridgnal entered the portal on Monday.

The sophomore guard transferred to Athens from Florida SouthWestern where he was named first-team All-Southern Conference in 2020.

Oquendo flourished under Tom Crean, but that didn’t turn into wins as Georgia finished last in the SEC and set a league record for losses in a season (17). The Bulldogs finished 6-26 and fired Crean this offseason.

Mike White was hired from Florida earlier this month and spoke on how players may leave due to coaching changes.

“First and foremost, before you even get a chance to make your staff evaluations, you’ve got to get a staff, right? And then when you do that, we’ve got to figure out what these guys want, you know? Who knows what the aspirations are with some of these guys. If there’s a player that doesn’t necessarily want to be here or has got one foot out the door, you want them to pursue what’s best for them, what’s in their best interest. It’s that simple.”

You can expect more roster changes this offseason as White and the Bulldogs begin their revamp of the program.