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Cincinnati Bearcats add Akron forward Amani Lyles to 2026-27 roster
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- Cincinnati Bearcats add Akron forward Amani Lyles to 2026-27 roster
Just two days after their Monster Energy Big 12 Media Days appearance in Kansas City, the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has added another player.
As reported by On3 Sports, UC has added 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward Amani Lyles, who played four seasons for the Akron Zips , where he was a teammate of current Bearcat Eric Mahaffey.
Similar to UC guard MJ Collins, who came from Utah State to join several teammates and Bearcats head coach Jerrod Calhoun, the eligibility of Lyles is tied to the executive order issued by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine , which has reinstated Collins for now.
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The ruling affects players involved with Ohio colleges and universities. Lyles is from Columbus, where he played in high school at Beechcroft. The Ohio Supreme Court as of Oct. 22, had yet to make an official statement on the Governor's order.
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) reacts after a play in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
What Amani Lyles brings to Cincinnati Bearcats
He's another body in the same frame as Jayden Hastings and David Iweze. Lyles played four years with the Zips and blossomed his senior year, averaging 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He had nine double-doubles, shots 55.8% from the field, 37.3% from the 3-point line, and 71.6% from the free-throw line.
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Lyles tied a season-high in the NCAA Tournament with a 26-point effort against the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12. He also had a 26-point game against Ball State.
In the Mid-American Conference Championship game, he had 15 points and 16 rebounds and was named First Team All-MAC. He won three city championships in Columbus with Beechcroft High and averaged 20.5 points and 12 rebounds as a senior.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats add Akron forward Amani Lyles to 2026-27 roster
