The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team is now up to six players that have entered their name in the transfer portal since the end of the season.
Noah Hupmann made the decision on Sunday while Imanuel Zorgvol announced on Tuesday that he’ll hit the portal.
After transferring from Day School in Evansville to head to Covington Catholic for his senior season, Hupmann has played three seasons in Highlands Heights, appearing in 30 games over that time. He played in just three games in the 2022-23 season.
Imanuel Zorgvol made his intentions known on Tuesday after appearing in 32 games in his lone season in a Norse jersey, averaging 2.6 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game with 21 blocked shots. His role was expected to increase with Chrs Brandon graduating.
The first two entering the portal were sophomore Isaiah Mason and freshman A’lahn Sumler. Sumler was in the bench rotation during his freshman season, playing in 22 games and scored a season-high 14 points against Detroit on January 8. He was named Horizon League Freshman of the Week on December 19 after two solid games against Eastern Kentucky and Miami-Hamilton where he scored 12 points each in those contests.
Mason appeared in 22 games in two seasons in Highland Heights. He never really got into the rotation the past two seasons, playing 84 minutes in that span.
Three days later, Jake Evans and Hubertas Pivorius entered their names into the portal. Both were mainly role players off the bench with Evans starting one game this season and Pivorius knocking down 60 three-pointers the past two seasons.
As it currently stands, NKU will bring back: Trey Robinson, Sam Vinson, Marques Warrick, LJ Wells, Mitchel Minor, Cole Sherman and Cesar Tchilombo. Minor and Sherman are walk-ons while Tchilombo redshirted this past season. With the departures of Trevon Faulkner, Chris Brandon and Xavier Rhodes to graduation and with the six that have entered the portal, it potentially creates seven roster spots with two incoming freshman confirmed. The Norse’s 2023 recruiting class currently has two confirmed or signed: Lloyd Memorial’s Jeremiah Israel and Bessemer City’s (NC) Randal Pettus II.
The Norse won their fourth Horizon League conference tournament title this season since 2017 and made their third NCAA tournament appearance, losing to Houston, 63-52 in the first round.
It should be an active next few months for the Norse as they look to fill out their roster. They currently have six scholarships available.