Arizona transfer Emmanuel Akot hoping to play for Boise State in 2019-20

Arizona Wildcats transfer Emmanuel Akot has spoken publicly for the first time since leaving the UA for Boise State, telling the Idaho Press that he hopes to be granted a waiver so that he can suit up for the Broncos in 2019-20.

The sophomore forward appeared in 17 games for the Wildcats in 2018-19, including two after the semester break.

Generally, NCAA transfer rules generally would require him to sit the entire 2019-20 season before being eligible to play, but Boise State is applying for a waiver “due to the ongoing FBI investigation at Arizona,” according to B.J. Rains of the Idaho Press.

“I think it’s very possible I could be playing next year but we’re going to have to wait and see,” Akot told him. “I don’t want to put any percentages on it.”

A former four-star recruit, Akot did not live up to expectations at Arizona. In two years in Tucson, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3.

Akot never scored more than seven points in a game. He showed flashes as a passer and perimeter defender, but was never able to become a consistent contributor on either end of the floor, though having to deal with knee tendinitis throughout his freshman year certainly didn’t help.

The timing of Akot’s exit from Arizona was strange because the Wildcats had just swept the Bay Area schools to get off to a 2-0 start in Pac-12 play and Akot had started in 11 straight games.

The Idaho Press article did not mention why Akot opted to transfer from Arizona, but it did explain why Akot chose Boise State.

“One thing the coaches do is they are really good with player development,” Akot told the Idaho Press. “You could see with Chandler Hutchison, Derrick Alston, Justinian Jessup, a bunch of guys that can really play basketball and I think they can help me keep getting better and better.

“I think even without me playing they have a lot of talented guys and they will be one of the best teams in the Mountain West and maybe the country.”

Check out the Idaho Press’ full story here.

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