Former McDonald's All American Shon Abaev to enter transfer portal

Cincinnati freshman intends to leave Bearcats after one season

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange hues that abstractly depict the silhouette and movements of a basketball player, conveying the concept of a player transitioning to a new team.A former top recruit's decision to leave his college program reflects the growing trend of talented players seeking new opportunities through the transfer portal.Cincinnati Today

Shon Abaev, a highly touted freshman forward who was the No. 22 overall recruit in the class of 2025, has informed 247Sports that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Abaev, a former McDonald's All American, averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 24 appearances for Cincinnati this past season.

Why it matters

Abaev's decision to transfer is notable as he is one of the first former McDonald's All Americans to announce plans to enter the portal this offseason. His departure comes after Cincinnati fired head coach Wes Miller, suggesting Abaev may be seeking a fresh start at a new program.

The details

The 6-foot-8 small forward struggled with efficiency during his freshman campaign, shooting just 33.5% from the field, 25.7% from three-point range, and 64.9% from the free-throw line. Despite his talent and scoring ability, the transition to college basketball appeared challenging for Abaev in his first season with the Bearcats.

  • Abaev was the No. 22 overall recruit in the class of 2025.
  • He averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game for Cincinnati in the 2025-26 season.
  • Cincinnati fired head coach Wes Miller in March 2026.

The players

Shon Abaev

A 6-foot-8 freshman small forward who was a former McDonald's All American and the No. 22 overall recruit in the class of 2025.

Wes Miller

The former head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, who was fired in March 2026 after five seasons with the program.

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What’s next

Abaev will officially enter the NCAA transfer portal on April 7, 2026, when the portal opens for the offseason. He will then be able to explore options to continue his college basketball career at a new program.

The takeaway

Abaev's decision to transfer highlights the increasing trend of top high school recruits seeking new opportunities after struggling to find success in their initial college destinations. His departure from Cincinnati also underscores the impact that coaching changes can have on a program's roster.