Kansas forward Zach Clemence becomes first Jayhawk to enter transfer portal

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Kansas forward Zach Clemence became the first Jayhawk to enter the transfer portal, entering Friday morning according to reports.

Clemence, who played in just eight games this season due to injury, has been at KU since the 2021-22 season. He’s played in 52 career games and was on the Kansas team that won the national championship in 2022. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello was first to report the news.

Kansas forward Zach Clemence (21) puts up a shot during the first half of an NCAA college... — Kansas forward Zach Clemence (21) puts up a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)

The 6-foot-10 forward from San Antonio, Texas, was a top-50 recruit out of high school but has been extremely limited in both role and usage during his career at Kansas. Clemence has averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game over his career.

He enters the transfer portal after a season in which Kansas went 21-13 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 17 seasons. Clemence previously entered the transfer portal after the 2022-23 season and committed to UC Santa Barbara before ending up back at KU.

If he can get a medical redshirt for the 2024-25 season, Clemence would have two years of eligibility remaining.