UCF guard Ithiel Horton has entered the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the sixth basketball player to leave the program this offseason.
He’s the fifth via the portal.
A source with close knowledge of the situation confirmed the move with the Sentinel on Sunday.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Horton averaged 12.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 34 games while connecting on 38% of his field goals in his only season with the Knights. The New Jersey native previously played at Delaware (2018-19) before transferring to Pittsburgh (2019-22) and then UCF (2023).
The redshirt senior, who graduated this spring, would have at least one year of eligibility left.
The 2023-24 roster has already undergone a massive makeover with the transfers of Lahat Thioune (South Dakota), Brandon Suggs (New Mexico State), Tyem Freeman (Kent State), Jayhlon Young (Memphis) and P.J. Edwards (Bowling Green). UCF’s top scorer, Taylor Hendricks, was a first-round NBA draft pick of the Utah Jazz, while guard C.J. Kelly and forward Michael Durr exhausted their eligibility.
Horton was expected to be the top returning scorer, coupled with the addition of transfer guard Jaylin Sellers (Ball State), center Ibrahima Diallo (San Jose State), guard Shemarri Allen (Missouri-Kansas City) and forward Omar Payne (Jacksonville).
However, his status with the program was uncertain after he entered his name in the NBA Draft in mid-April without hiring an agent. Horton’s decision to exit the draft pool in May was thought to be a positive sign for the Knights.
“To my knowledge, he’s saying he’s going to be with us,” UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said about Horton’s status on May 23. “I know this stuff is always fluid, so we’ll wait and see, but he hasn’t indicated to us that he wants to go anywhere else. He’s really enjoyed his experience here with us and he continued to grow his game.
“His best basketball is still ahead of him because he’s just one year in our system.” It takes a little time to get used to the staff and the system. Offensively and defensively, there’s an adjustment.”
UCF (19-15) moves to the Big 12 after 10 seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
Staff writer Jason Beede contributed to his report.