K-State basketball confirms departure of forward Achor Achor for ‘personal reasons’
The Kansas State men’s basketball team has lost a key member of its frontcourt midway through the season.
Achor Achor, a 6-foot-9 and 227-pound senior forward, is no longer on the roster.
He decided to step away from the Wildcats for “personal reasons,” according to a news release issued by K-State.
“Achor and I have decided that there are more important things than basketball for him at this time,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said in a statement. “I hope some time away will allow him to re-prioritize things in his life and allow him to finish his degree. We wish him well. My focus is always to help young men become the best version of themselves and to help K-State become an elite program. We are developing men who will be great husbands and fathers.”
Achor departs K-State after playing in just seven games in a purple uniform. He was expected to be an impact transfer when he signed with the Wildcats last summer, but things didn’t work out that way in Manhattan.
Achor missed two games in November for what Tang described as a “family emergency.” But he was part of the playing rotation when K-State faced LSU and logged at least five minutes in every game afterward.
He was averaging 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Wildcats.
His best showing came against Arkansas-Pine Bluff when he scored 21 points in 24 minutes. But his playing time crashed to just five minutes during an 88-71 loss at St. John’s. Achor was scoreless in that game and the Wildcats were outscored by 15 points while he was on the court.
It is not a coincidence that he departed the team after his worst game of the season.
It’s possible Achor’s frustrating start factored into the decision. Additionally, the big man is originally from Australia and may have a desire to begin playing professionally overseas.
He began his college basketball career at Samford and became a coveted player on the transfer market last spring after he helped his team reach the NCAA Tournament while averaging 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
K-State is off to a disappointing 6-3 start. For some, Achor’s departure is a sign that this season may already be lost.
Nevertheless, Tang and the Wildcats will look to turn their season around without Achor when they next play Drake on Dec. 17 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 12:25 PM.