The Akron Zips men’s basketball team continued to reload on April 22, receiving a commitment from guard Ty Pence through the NCAA transfer portal.
Pence announced his allegiance to the Zips on social media. He spent the past three seasons at Illinois State. As a junior last season, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.4 minutes.
Listed as 6 feet, 6 inches and 205 pounds, Pence reached double figures in scoring in three consecutive games as Illinois State went on a run to the NIT semifinal for the first time in program history. Illinois State fell to eventual NIT champion Auburn. During the NIT run, Pence produced a career-high 23 points against Wake Forest, 12 points against Dayton and 13 points against Auburn.
Here’s a quick review of the additions the Zips have made through the portal, with each player’s most recent school listed:
- Guard/forward Colin White (Ohio State)
- Guard Tahj Staveskie (Incarnate Word)
- Guard Exavier Wilson (Kansas State)
- Forward Max Burton (Western Michigan)
Last Lap🦘 #gozipspic.twitter.com/LpfrEzQYvb
— Ty Pence (@tdotpence) April 22, 2026
Here’s a quick review of the players the Zips have lost through the portal or due to eligibility expiring:
- Guard Bowen Hardman (out of eligibility for now; petitioned to NCAA for an extra year of eligibility; in transfer portal)
- Guard Tavari Johnson (out of eligibility)
- Forward Amani Lyles (out of eligibility)
- Guard Eric Mahaffey (transferred to Cincinnati)
- Wing Evan Mahaffey (out of eligibility)
- Guard Shammah Scott (out of eligibility)
- Guard Sharron Young (transferred to Western Kentucky)
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips basketball lands Ty Pence in NCAA transfer portal