After Ex-Duke Forward Nikolas Khamenia Commits To UCONN, What Does It Mean For The Blue Devils?

Nikolas Khamenia (Image: Duke)

Ex-Duke forward Nikolas Khamenia announced last week that he was transferring to the University of Connecticut.

Khamenia averaged 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and one assist per game last season; in 38 games, he shot 44.4 percent from the floor. The former Blue Devil rose to the occasion during the ACC Tournament semifinal against Clemson, scoring 14 points on 50 percent shooting and grabbing six rebounds in 31 minutes.

Khamenia was the fifth overall prospect in California, the No. 4 small forward in the class of 2025 and the No. 16 overall prospect in the class of 2025.

The Duke transfer will take Alex Karaban‘s place since Karaban is participating in the NBA Draft in June. He is projected to be a late first-round to early-second-round pick this draft. The UCONN alum played four seasons, averaging 12.5 points per game across his collegiate career.

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UCONN has seen other key players depart. Eric Reibe, Uroš Paunovic, Jacob Furphy and Jaylin Stewart all left in the portal, while Tarris Reed declared for the NBA Draft. Reibe’s best game of the season was on November 19th against Arizona, where he scored 15 points and blocked two shots.

UCONN managed to make its third National Championship game in four seasons. Their run was spearheaded after Braylon Mullins heaved a miracle shot to eliminate Duke in the Elite Eight. Michigan would defeat the Huskies 69-63 in the National Championship.

Cayden Boozer will remain at Duke for next season after his brother, Cameron Boozer, is likely leaving for the NBA Draft. Duke is in the running for Wisconsin’s Jake Blackwell and Santa Clara’s Allen Graves.