The UAB Blazers men’s basketball team is navigating a rough offseason. After a standout 24-win campaign, the transfer portal has swung open, and key players are walking out the door.
As of April 4, 2025, six departures have rocked the roster, while incoming transfers remain a blank slate. Here are the latest updates on who’s leaving and what’s next for Coach Andy Kennedy’s squad.
What are the Latest UAB Updates on the Transfer Portal?
The transfer window kicked off on March 24 and runs through April 22. In that short span, UAB has already lost a chunk of its talent. The most glaring exit is Yaxel Lendeborg, a star forward whose departure could shift the team’s trajectory.
Five others: Efrem Johnson, Bradley Ezewiro, Tyren Moore, Greg Gordon, and Marquis Hargrove have followed suit. No new faces have committed yet, leaving Kennedy with a massive rebuilding task.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Yaxel Lendeborg might be the biggest prize in the portal right now. He’s a dominant force inside and a name buzzing with NBA draft potential. Last season, he posted 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game at UAB. Add in 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals, and his stat line screams impact.
He even hit 36% from beyond the arc. Ranking third nationally in rebounds per game, Lendeborg is a prime target for any team. For now, he’s in the portal, keeping everyone guessing about his next move.
Efrem Johnson
Efrem Johnson, a guard with starting experience, is also on the move. He shined in 2023-24, averaging 11.2 points per game with a 43% shooting clip. This past year, though, his numbers dipped to 8.8 points and 37% from the field.
He’s got one year of eligibility left. Teams will likely bet on him bouncing back to his earlier form. Johnson’s departure leaves a gap in UAB’s backcourt.
Bradley Ezewiro
Bradley Ezewiro is no stranger to switching schools. The forward has already suited up for LSU, Georgetown, St. Louis, and UAB. Now, he’s hunting for his fifth stop. At UAB last year, he managed 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
His best run came at St. Louis in 2023-24, where he averaged 12.0 points. Hailing from California, eyes are on whether he’ll head back west. His journeyman career continues to intrigue.
Tyren Moore
Tyren Moore brings a solid resume to the portal. The guard spent two years at Georgia Southern before joining UAB. There, he averaged 6.4 points off the bench last season. His standout year was 2023-24 at Georgia Southern, where he dropped 17.0 points per game. A career 38% three-point shooter, Moore has one year left. His shooting and experience make him a likely pickup for another program.
Greg Gordon
Greg Gordon’s story is a mixed bag. He was a star at Iona in 2023-24, averaging 16.0 points per game. At UAB, though, he lasted just seven games before stepping away for personal reasons.
Questions linger about his fit on a team. Still, his scoring talent is undeniable. Some programs will take a chance on the guard, banking on his Iona-level production.
Marquis Hargrove
Marquis Hargrove barely got a look at UAB. The JUCO recruit played just 24 minutes across nine games. In that time, he scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds. He’s got one year of eligibility remaining.
His next stop is anyone’s guess. Hargrove’s limited action leaves his potential as an open question.
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The incoming transfer column sits empty on April 4. With the portal open for another 18 days, Kennedy and his staff are likely working the phones. Last year’s success of 24 wins and an AAC Tournament title gives them a good pitch, but replacing stars like Lendeborg won’t be easy.
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