Cincinnati has added a major frontcourt piece just before the season, landing former Akron forward Amani Lyles out of the transfer portal.
Lyles gives the Bearcats exactly what they needed: another body in the post and a proven producer as Jerrod Calhoun begins his first year in the Big 12. He is eligible for a fifth season after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order allowed schools to play Class of 2022 athletes, and he is part of the same NCAA lawsuit as current Bearcat MJ Collins.
At 6-foot-7, Lyles brings size, experience and a game that should fit the Big 12 well. Last season for Akron, he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds in the MAC while shooting 37% from 3-point range on four attempts per game. He also connected on 71% of his free throws.
His production showed up on the biggest stage, too. Lyles scored 26 points in Akron's NCAA Tournament loss to Texas Tech, matching the 26 he put up earlier in the season against Ball State. He finished the year with nine double-doubles.
Cincinnati’s depth chart in the frontcourt had been set to lean on Jayden Hastings and Riley Allenspach at center, with David Iweze still relatively unproven as a redshirt freshman. Lyles changes that picture immediately.
What makes him even more valuable is the way he plays. He can handle the ball well for a forward, attack the rim and still step out with confidence from distance. That aggressive style should translate cleanly to the Big 12.
Lyles is also a familiar face to one Bearcat already. He played alongside Eric Mahaffey last season, and he arrives in Cincinnati as a Columbus native after spending all four of his previous college seasons with the Zips.
In Other News...
Cincinnati's New Frontcourt Boost Comes With One Major Catch
Cincinnati has added a needed frontcourt piece for next season, landing Akron forward Amani Lyles as the Bearcats continue to shape their roster for the year ahead. Lyles arrives after transferring from Akron, giving Cincinnati another option in the paint and another experienced body as the program looks to round out its rotation.
The wrinkle is that Lyles' path to the floor is tied to a fifth-year eligibility ruling that is now under legal scrutiny. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines executive order opened the door for certain players, including Lyles and MJ Collins, but the NCAA is challenging that move in federal court, leaving the situation unsettled as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Cincinnati Just Teased A Jerrod Calhoun Story Fans Will Feel
Cincinnati mens basketball is leaning into its next chapter with a new docuseries that spotlights both the programs history and Jerrod Calhouns first season on the sideline. The school released the first three minutes of the project, giving fans an early look at a coach who arrived after stops at Utah State, Youngstown State and Fairmont State and signed a six-year deal to lead the Bearcats.
The timing makes the sneak peek even more interesting, because Cincinnati is also navigating a legal fight with the NCAA over eligibility rules for certain student-athletes. Calhouns first year is already carrying plenty of weight, and the series appears set to frame not just how he got here, but how the program is trying to move forward while one of its current off-court issues is still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]