A week after the news of highly regarded freshmen [autotag]Yohan Traore[/autotag] and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] entering the transfer portal, two more members of the 2023-24 roster declared their intention to transfer.
Seniors [autotag]Chandler Leopard[/autotag] and [autotag]Babatunde Akingbola[/autotag] announced this week they plan to transfer from Auburn, doing so as graduates from the university.
News of Leopard’s decision was broken on Tuesday by Verbal Commits on Twitter. Leopard, a native of Athens, played in 18 games during his three seasons on the Plains, totaling 22 minutes. Last season, his biggest moment came in Auburn’s 89-56 win over Missouri on Valentine’s Day, when he recorded a rebound in the late moments of the second half.
Akingbola, affectionately known as “Stretch,” became the latest Tiger to announce he will seek another year of eligibility elsewhere on Thursday. In an announcement on Twitter, Akingbola thanked the coaching staff as well as Auburn fans before indicating he planned to graduate during the summer.
“I’m looking forward to what the future has in store for me,” Akingbola said in the tweet.
The 6-foot-10 center from Nigeria played in 50 games over the last four years for Auburn; the 2020-21 season was his most productive. That season, he appeared in 27 games, averaging 11 minutes of action. He pulled down 69 rebounds, and shot 47% from the field.
With the departure of Akingbola and Leopard, Auburn’s total of known departures is up to six players. Four members have entered their name into the transfer portal. Wendell Green Jr. announced this week he is preparing for the NBA draft. The only player who is out of eligibility is guard [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag].
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