Cincinnati Bearcats add local talent Evan Mahaffey from Akron Zips

Eric Mahaffey, a Cincinnati native, joins the Bearcats after one season at Akron.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:09am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's actions broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red, black, and white, capturing the raw energy and motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a Cincinnati Bearcats basketball player's dynamic movements on the court.Cincinnati Today

The Cincinnati Bearcats have added Eric Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6 wing player, to their roster. Mahaffey, a Cincinnati native who played at Moeller High School, spent his freshman season at the University of Akron, where he averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. He was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team.

Why it matters

The addition of Mahaffey, a local product, provides the Bearcats with a talented young player who can contribute immediately. His size, shooting ability, and experience playing at the Division I level make him a valuable asset as the Bearcats look to build on their recent success.

The details

Mahaffey, who played at Moeller High School, averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game as a senior. He helped lead the Crusaders to a 26-2 record, with their only losses coming against Centerville. At Akron, Mahaffey had a high game of 20 points against Iona and a top rebounding performance of 13 against Miami (OH). He shot 53% from the field, 39.1% from 3-point range, and 76.3% from the free throw line.

  • Mahaffey played his freshman season at Akron in the 2025-26 season.
  • He committed to the Cincinnati Bearcats on April 15, 2026.

The players

Eric Mahaffey

A 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing player who played his freshman season at the University of Akron, where he was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team. Mahaffey is a Cincinnati native who played at Moeller High School.

Jamie Mahaffey

Eric Mahaffey's father, who played for Miami University and once coached NBA players OJ Mayo and Bill Walker at North College Hill.

Carl Kremer

The head coach at Moeller High School, where Eric Mahaffey played his senior season.

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What they’re saying

“Eric Mahaffey has committed to Cincinnati, he told @On3.”

— Eric Mahaffey, Akron transfer guard

What’s next

Mahaffey will join the Cincinnati Bearcats for the 2026-27 season, where he will look to make an immediate impact and help the team continue its recent success.

The takeaway

The addition of Eric Mahaffey, a talented local player with Division I experience, is a significant boost for the Cincinnati Bearcats as they aim to build on their recent success and compete for championships in the coming years.