“Mystery Booster: WSU Snags Intriguing Transfer from Boise State with Emmanuel Ugbo”

In the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball, where players hop from team to team almost like they’re collecting passport stamps, Washington State University has strolled through the transfer portal once more, bagging themselves Emmanuel Ugbo from Boise State. This 6-foot-8 athletic dynamo, sporting a wingspan that would make any eagle envious, is set to introduce some much-needed oomph to the Cougars’ lineup.

Imagine my excitement (and the fans’) when Monday afternoon rolled around and Ugbo announced his commitment. A delightful surprise, not just for WSU, but for any fan of sports news hungry for something to chew on after the NCAA boo-hoo for Boise State not making the cut. With potential eligibility for one to two years, thanks to some international eligibility complexities, Ugbo’s arrival spells good news.

Now, while Ugbo’s not likely to be Stretch Armstrong with three-point shooting, the need for defensive reinforcement at WSU couldn’t be clearer. Given his background, transitioning from soccer to basketball like a true late bloomer, and then moving through international play, the transfer portal might just be his bunny tail down the rabbit hole of American college sports fame. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at Ugbo’s journey and what this means for Coach Riley]. LEARN MORE

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After playing one season at BSU, Ugbo will have one year of eligibility with the potential for two, a source told The Spokesman-Review, citing international eligibility concerns. The 6-foot-8 Ugbo hails from the Netherlands, which neighbors Germany, where he played 23 games for Ludwigsburg’s Porsche BBA in 2022-23, averaging 14.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Emmanuel Ugbo is headed to Boise State. The 🇳🇱 forward switched from soccer to basketball at 14 years old. He’s a strong athlete who scores from inside and out, & uses his tools to defend multiple positions. At 6‘8 + 7‘2 wing, Ugbo has great potential with his size & athleticism. pic.twitter.com/lNhbWawdFW

Ugbo joins Morehead State transfer guard Jerone Morton as Cougs to join out of the transfer portal this spring. As the program looks to replace its entire starting five – Texas Tech-bound LeJuan Watts, Maryland-bound Isaiah Watts, Wake Forest-bound Nate Calmese and outgoing senior forwards Dane Erikstrup and Ethan Price – WSU now has around four scholarships available, but the number isn’t set the way it has been in years past.
After two seasons of action with that club, Ugbo moved on to play for the Orange Lions Academy, which is associated with Basketball Nederland, the governing body of basketball in the Netherlands.
WSU guard Cedric Coward is also in the portal, reportedly deciding between finalists Alabama and Duke while also intending to test the NBA draft waters. Freshman guard Marcus Wilson is in the portal as well, making six Cougars to enter the portal this offseason.
Ugbo, who has a 7-foot-2 wingspan, joined Boise State’s program in the spring 2024 semester, then logged 10 minutes per game in 36 games last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds. He started 12 games for the Broncos, who went 26-11 on the season, narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament and winning two games at the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.
The Cougars’ newest commitment comes from Boise State transfer wing Emmanuel Ugbo, who announced his decision on Monday afternoon, giving his new club its second reinforcement from the transfer portal.
Ugbo’s best attributes appear to involve his athleticism, which unlocks his ability to run the floor in transition and defend multiple positions, a need for a WSU team that often struggled on defense in coach David Riley’s first season with the Cougars. Ugbo might not be a high-volume 3-point shooter, a priority in Riley’s positionless and free-flowing system, but he does give WSU physicality and defensive acumen.
Even with only one year of American college basketball experience, Ugbo will give WSU a veteran presence. After switching from soccer to basketball at age 14, Ugbo spent the 2017-18 season playing for his local team, Netherlands-based CBV Binnenland, before joining BC Triple Threat, which is about an hour outside of his hometown of Barendrecht.
PULLMAN – Washington State has landed a second transfer this spring.

In 2021, Ugbo made his professional debut with German team Riesen Ludwigsburg, where he won Most Improved Player honors after his first season. In 2022, Ugbo played for the U20 Netherlands men’s national basketball team.