Tag: uga basketball transfers

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Georgia basketball star Kario Oquendo, the team’s leading scorer last season, has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal

Georgia basketball star Kario Oquendo, the team’s leading scorer in 2021-2022 (15.2 ppg), has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal.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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How Georgia basketball transfers did in 2021-2022

How did all nine of Georgia’s 2021 basketball transfers do at their new schools in 2021-2022?

Georgia men’s basketball had a disappointing 2021-2022 season. The Bulldogs finished 6-26 and won one SEC conference game.

Georgia parted ways with head coach Tom Crean following the season and hired Florida head coach Mike White to the same position.

Georgia’s 2021-2022 season was poor due to a variety of reasons. Injuries did not help the cause either. Key FAU transfer Jailyn Ingram missed much of the 2021-2022 season with an injury. Georgia’s only returning starter, P.J. Horne, missed the entire season with a right knee injury.

The Bulldogs returned almost no production and experience from the 2020-2021 team. Georgia added several transfers, but lost a number of valuable pieces to the transfer portal.

Here’s how all nine of Georgia’s 2021 basketball transfers did at their new schools in 2021-2022: