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Pair of Iowa Hawkeyes hit the NCAA transfer portal

The first big moves of the Iowa basketball offseason have occurred. On Wednesday, Iowa guard Ahron Ulis and center Josh Ogundele announced their intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

A junior, Ulis started 27 games for the Hawkeyes this season, averaging 22.6 minutes per game. He finished the season with 6.1 points per game and a little over two assists per game. Ulis’ season-high 17 points came in a loss at Michigan State on Jan. 26.

Ulis announced his decision on Twitter Wednesday, thanking the Iowa coaching staff for the opportunity. He thanked the fans and his teammates for their support over the past three years as well.

Big man Josh Ogundele is also on the move. It’s his second time entering his name into the portal. Ogundele played sparingly over his three seasons in Iowa City, appearing in 38 games but making zero starts. He averaged 6.5 minutes per game this season after a knee injury at the end of December seriously derailed his momentum.

Ogundele also announced his decision on Twitter, thanking his coaching staff, fans, and teammates at Iowa.

For the Hawkeyes, Ulis’ departure opens up some more minutes at guard. While he started a lot of games, down the stretch Tony Perkins and Payton Sandfort would outearn him in minutes. Dasonte Bowen is a candidate to receive more playing time next year, showing some flashes in his limited playing time.

Ogundele will be missed as a fan favorite, but his departure doesn’t really help the dire situation of the Hawkeyes’ frontcourt next year. Starters Filip Rebraca and Connor McCaffery will be graduating, while star Kris Murray is expected to enter the 2023 NBA draft. There are not a whole lot of returning minutes in the front court.

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire