Arizona big man Oumar Ballo enters the transfer portal
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) dunks during the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Clemson in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona center Oumar Ballo entered the transfer portal on Monday, leaving coach Tommy Lloyd with a huge hole to fill.
“I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, friends and family for their ongoing support to make me the best player and person I can be,” Ballo wrote on X. “I especially would like to thank coach Lloyd for the impact he has had on my life -- Arizona is in great hands. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student for my final year of eligibility.”
Ballo, who's from Mali, started his career at Gonzaga under coach Mark Few and Lloyd, then an assistant.
The 7-foot center followed Lloyd when he became Arizona's head coach in 2021 and became one of the nation's most improved players. Ballo averaged 12.9 points on 66% shooting and 10.1 rebounds on a team that went to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year under Lloyd.
