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Ty Pence joins Akron Zips basketball with transfer from Illinois State
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- Ty Pence joins Akron Zips basketball with transfer from Illinois State
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.
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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.
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Here's a quick review of the additions the Zips have made through the portal, with each player's most recent school listed:
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Guard/forward Colin White (Ohio State)
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Guard Tahj Staveskie (Incarnate Word)
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Guard Exavier Wilson (Kansas State)
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Forward Max Burton (Western Michigan)
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 29: Ty Pence #22 of the Illinois State Redbirds is defended by Nick Martinelli #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of an exhibition game at Welsh-Ryan Arena on October 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Here's a quick review of the players the Zips have lost through the portal or due to eligibility expiring:
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Guard Bowen Hardman (out of eligibility for now; petitioned to NCAA for an extra year of eligibility; in transfer portal)
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Guard Tavari Johnson (out of eligibility)
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Forward Amani Lyles (out of eligibility)
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Guard Eric Mahaffey ( transferred to Cincinnati )
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Wing Evan Mahaffey (out of eligibility)
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Guard Shammah Scott (out of eligibility)
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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
