In the hours leading up to the National Championship game, three Wildcats decided they will be in search of a new home ahead of the 2024-25 season. Arizona center Oumar Ballo, forward Dylan Anderson, and walk-on guard Grant Weitman entered the transfer portal on Monday.
They join forward Paulius Murauskas and wing Filip Borovicanin, who announced their intentions to transfer earlier in April.
Oumar Ballo
Oumar Ballo followed Tommy Lloyd to Tucson and transferred to Arizona following two years at Gonzaga. During his time as a Wildcat, Big O developed into one of the Pac-12’s premier big men. He was the 2022 Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year, 2023 Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year, and two-time First Team All Pac-12 selection (2023, 2024).
This season, Oumar Ballo took home Pac-12 Player of the Week honors after averaging a 15.5-point, 16.5-rebound double-double against Alabama and Florida Atlantic. The seven-footer also etched his name into the Arizona record books, becoming just the 10th player in program history with 1,000 career points and 800 career rebounds as a Wildcat. Ballo recorded 20 double-doubles on the season, including nine straight during Pac-12 play, good for third-most by a Wildcat in a single season.
Big O, a fan favorite in the 520, often spoke about his connection to Tucson and relationship with Arizona fans and the community. He took to his social media platforms on Monday to announce his decision, writing “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. I especially would like to thank Coach Lloyd for the impact he has had on my life–Arizona is in great hands.
I am beyond grateful for my time at Arizona and for Wildcat Nation and the community of Tucson for embracing me into this family. Tucson and all the amazing people here will always hold a special place in my heart.
With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student for my final year of eligibility.”
Dylan Anderson
After electing to redshirt the 2023-24 season, the two-time former Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, Dylan Anderson, is transferring from Arizona. Anderson appeared in 15 games during his time as a Wildcat, scoring a total of 21 points and snaring nine total rebounds. While he did not play during the 2023-24 campaign, he did tally 12 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes in Arizona’s exhibition game against Lewis-Clark State.
He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Grant Weitman
After four seasons as a walk-on, Tucson native Grant Weitman has elected to transfer for his final year of eligibility. The Salpointe Catholic High School alumni saw limited action during his time as a Wildcat, but did appear in 16 games as a sophomore and 18 games this season as a senior.
Notably, Weitman made his first collegiate start on Senior Day in Arizona’s 103-83 win over Oregon, where he recorded a steal on the first possession of the game.
Arizona’s roster still has lots of moving parts and pieces, but for now, features a young core highlighted by Jaden Bradley, Kylan Boswell, KJ Lewis, and Motiejus Krivas. Following the departures by Oumar Ballo, Dylan Anderson, and Grant Weitman to the transfer portal, it is likely that Tommy Lloyd and Arizona will be active in the transfer portal looking for an additional big man who can provide an immediate impact.
Here is a current look at Arizona’s 2024-25 roster: Kylan Boswell (guard), Jaden Bradley (guard), Caleb Love (guard), Pelle Larsson (wing), KJ Lewis (wing), Henri Veesaar (forward), Motiejus Krivas (center), Conrad Martinez (guard), Carter Bryant (guard), Jamari Phillips (guard), Emmanuel Stephen (center), Joson Sanon (guard).