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Evan Mahaffey, a versatile 6-foot-6 wing for the University of Akron basketball team, received the loudest ovation during the Zips' tipoff reception on October 30 at House Three Thirty. Mahaffey was also prominently featured in a hype video by the Fear the Roo Collective, which was shown at the event and later shared on social media. He is one of several Zips players highlighted in graphics promoting the team's schedule and promotions for the 2026-27 season.
Mahaffey serves as the primary link on the roster to Akron's 2025-26 team, which made history in March by becoming the first men's squad to win three consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament championships. "Evan changes the game for us," said Dustin Ford, who took over as head coach on March 30 after John Groce's departure. "He's a proven all-league player, one of the five best in the league, if not the best. I'm glad he's on our team."
However, the Zips are hopeful that the 22-year-old Mahaffey will remain eligible to play. He is among many 2022 high school graduates across the country who have been fighting for a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. The Akron men's basketball team has two such players: Mahaffey and guard Kamrin Oriol, who transferred from North Florida in September. Both are currently eligible and have expressed optimism that their status will be maintained. Akron is set to open the season at Louisiana on November 2.
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Mahaffey, a graduate of Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller High School, admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility has been stressful. "Just through the ups and downs of not knowing what's going to happen, it can definitely turn into a lot," said Mahaffey, who played at Penn State and Ohio State before joining Akron last season. "But at the same time, it's basketball at the end of the day, and I'm going to focus on that part and not worry about anything else."
In June, the NCAA passed a rule granting players five seasons of eligibility, but players who graduated high school in 2022 were excluded. Lawsuits followed nationwide. On October 29, the Ohio Supreme Court issued an order preserving a previous ruling from earlier in October, keeping two dozen players—including Mahaffey and former Zips Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson—available to play. Lyles transferred to Cincinnati, where Mahaffey's younger brother, Eric, will play after spending last season at Akron. Johnson transferred to the College of Charleston, where Groce became head coach in late March after nine seasons leading the Zips.
During Akron's season preview event, athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich joked about nearly falling out of his chair with excitement upon learning of the Ohio Supreme Court's decision on October 29. At a July 1 hearing, Mahaffey and Ford testified in the case, according to Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas records. "I could check it off my bucket list, I guess," Ford said. "I had to be in court and under oath, but it was for the right reason. I would do it over again. Evan is the type of kid you want in college athletics. He's working on his MBA, an unbelievable student and person. Why would we exclude that class? I don't know why we would, to be quite honest, and I'm still trying to figure that out. But that's neither here nor there. I'm thankful that the [Ohio] Supreme Court ruled in favor of the student-athlete, and it was the right thing to do. I'm glad he's eligible, and he makes us a whole hell of a lot better basketball team."
Oriol is a plaintiff in a case against the NCAA being heard in the Superior Court of Santa Clara County in California, according to court records. He began his college career at The Master's University, an NAIA school in Santa Clarita, California. "The offseason's definitely been crazy," Oriol said. "But I'm a strong believer in being patient and not worrying because worrying doesn't get you anywhere." Like Mahaffey, Oriol is also pursuing an MBA at Akron.
Mahaffey and Oriol each scored 18 points in Akron's 92-76 exhibition win over Youngstown State on October 27 at Rhodes Arena. Transfer point guard Tahj Staveskie led all scorers with 28 points. Staveskie previously played for Canisius, Cleveland State and Incarnate Word. On October 20, Mahaffey and Staveskie were named Preseason All-Mid-American Conference Second Team selections. Akron was projected to finish third in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind Miami and Toledo.
Last season, Mahaffey started all 35 games for Akron and averaged 10.2 points on 57.8% shooting from the floor (30.4% from 3-point range), 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 28.5 minutes. He was voted All-MAC honorable mention and named to the All-MAC defensive team. Ford said Mahaffey will play more point forward this season, and Mahaffey sees a new role in his fifth college season as a chance to boost his professional prospects. "I think it would just increase my stock, honestly," Mahaffey said. "I feel like it's another year to show my expanding game. I think Ford's given me a lot more freedom and opportunity to play and show my game, so I'm really excited."
Mahaffey and Oriol both believe Akron can maintain its winning culture as the program transitions to Ford, who was an assistant under Groce. What remains unspoken is that their eligibility will be a crucial factor in determining how the 2026-27 Zips perform.
Originally reported by yahoo.