TCU Forward David Punch Plans to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

The Horned Frogs' leading scorer will have two years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:37am

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TCU sophomore forward David Punch, the Horned Frogs' leading scorer this past season, plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3's Joe Tipton. Punch, a 6-foot-7 power forward, averaged a team-high 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in 2025-26.

Why it matters

Punch's decision to enter the transfer portal is a significant loss for the TCU program, as he was their top scorer and a key contributor over the past two seasons. His departure will leave a void in the Horned Frogs' frontcourt that they'll need to address in the offseason.

The details

Punch started 61 of the 66 games he played the past two seasons at TCU, averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals during his time in Fort Worth. He saved his best basketball for the postseason, averaging 25 points on 58.6% shooting to go along with 8.5 rebounds and three blocks in two Big 12 Tournament games. Punch also produced a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in TCU's NCAA Tournament win over Ohio State.

  • Punch plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal ahead of the 2026-27 season.
  • He led TCU in multiple statistical categories during the 2025-26 season.

The players

David Punch

A 6-foot-7 sophomore power forward who was TCU's leading scorer this past season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Cameron Boozer

A Duke star forward who was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for an elbow to Punch's face during the NCAA Tournament, causing Punch to be bloodied and helped to the locker room.

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What they’re saying

“'You saw him bleeding profusely and he was helped to the locker room. He couldn't really walk under his own power because he was holding that towel directly over his face. He went in there for a few minutes, and they tended to him. He has a plug in that nostril. I was given the okay and was told he's okay to go back in.'”

— Tracy Wolfson, CBS Broadcaster

What’s next

Punch will now enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, where he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

The takeaway

Punch's decision to transfer from TCU is a significant loss for the Horned Frogs, as he was their leading scorer and a key contributor over the past two seasons. His departure will leave a void in TCU's frontcourt that they'll need to address in the offseason through recruiting or the transfer portal.