Ex-Duke Guard Nikolas Khamenia Transfers to UConn

Rising sophomore joins Huskies after Elite Eight stunner against former team

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a college basketball game between Duke and UConn, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, red, and white colors.Nikolas Khamenia's transfer to UConn adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between the two blue blood basketball programs.Greenville Today

Nikolas Khamenia, a rising sophomore guard who played for Duke last season, has announced he is transferring to UConn. Khamenia, a top-20 recruit in the 2025 high school class, averaged 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and one assist per game for the Blue Devils in 2025-26. His move to UConn comes less than a month after the Huskies defeated Duke in a thrilling Elite Eight matchup on a last-second shot by Braylon Mullins.

Why it matters

Khamenia's transfer is a significant addition for UConn, as the Huskies look to build on their Elite Eight run and compete for a national championship next season. The move also represents a continued rivalry between the two blue blood programs, with UConn handing Duke a heartbreaking loss in the NCAA Tournament just weeks ago.

The details

Khamenia, a 6-foot-5 guard, played a larger role for Duke in the team's biggest games last season, logging at least 22 minutes in six of the Blue Devils' seven ACC and NCAA Tournament contests. His best performance came in the ACC Tournament semifinal against Clemson, when he scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting with six rebounds in 31 minutes. Khamenia is expected to replace Alex Karaban, who is expected to be a second-round NBA draft pick, in UConn's rotation.

  • Khamenia announced his transfer to UConn on April 18, 2026.
  • He played for Duke during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Nikolas Khamenia

A rising sophomore guard who played for Duke last season, averaging 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and one assist per game. Khamenia was a top-20 recruit in the 2025 high school class.

Braylon Mullins

A UConn player who hit a last-second shot to defeat Duke in the 2026 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Alex Karaban

A UConn player who is expected to be a second-round NBA draft pick after playing four years with the Huskies.

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What they’re saying

“committed”

— Nikolas Khamenia

What’s next

Both Duke and UConn are expected to be among the top teams in college basketball next season, setting up another potential postseason matchup between the two blue blood programs.

The takeaway

Khamenia's transfer to UConn further intensifies the rivalry between the two elite programs, as the Huskies look to build on their Elite Eight run and the Blue Devils seek to bounce back from the heartbreaking loss. The move also represents an important addition for UConn as they aim to compete for a national championship in 2026-27.