The University of Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team has inked local product in Akron transfer Eric Mahaffey for its 2026-27 roster, first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun announced on Tuesday, April 28. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Mahaffey, who played in 37 games, including 11 starts, as a freshman at the University of Akron, will have three years of eligibility remaining. Mahaffey played high school basketball at Moeller.
Mahaffey committed to Calhoun and the Bearcats on April 15.
“Obviously, when we can get one of our own from the Cincinnati area to come play for the Bearcats, it’s a special thing,” Calhoun said. “He played for a Hall of Fame coach, Carl Kremer, in high school and then played for another great coach in John Groce at Akron. Eric is very versatile on the wing and has a great pedigree, along with upside. He comes from a tremendous family and is going to fit in with what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball.”
Welcome to Cincinnati, @EricMahaffey20! 📝: https://t.co/JySTk92kLu pic.twitter.com/r7dudCsoSo
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) April 28, 2026
Mahaffey averaged 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per contest this past season at Akron. Helping lead the Zips to a 29-6 record, a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance, Mahaffey shot 49.8% from the field and 35.7% from the 3-point line, scoring in double figures on 11 occasions, including a 20-point, eight-rebound outburst in a win over Iona in November.
In the NCAA Tournament, Mahaffey had eight points and four rebounds with a block and a steal in Akron's loss to Texas Tech of the Big 12 on March 20.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Eric Mahaffey, Akron transfer, officially signs with UC Bearcats men