TCU has a new big man on campus.
At 6-foot-8 and 255 pounds, sophomore forward Devonta Abron is one of the biggest players on the men’s basketball roster this season.
Abron’s presence adds depth to a TCU frontcourt that looks to replace the team’s leading rebounder, J.R. Cadot, who graduated in May.
Abron, who attended Seagoville High School in Dallas, transferred to TCU this season from Arkansas.
Abron said the main reason for his transfer was a desire to be closer to his son and uncle, both of whom live in the DFW area.
Abron, who started 22 games for Arkansas as a true freshman, is eligible to play immediately this season instead of sitting out a year.
According to the NCAA’s rules regarding transfer athletes, players are typically required to sit out a year after changing schools.
Abron received a waiver from the NCAA because he was transferring to be closer to his family, according to ESPN.com.
A third-team Parade All-American as a senior in high school, Abron was highly recruited. He originally chose Arkansas after receiving interest from Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and West Virginia, according to scout.com.
According to Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson, Abron is “like a sponge, absorbing what it takes to play at this level.”
Abron described himself as a defensive-minded player who will draw offensive charges and provide the Frogs with toughness and rebounding.
TCU head coach Trent Johnson said that he expects the “battle-tested” Abron to contribute offensively as well.
“He’s got a big body,” Johnson said of Abron. “He doesn’t play above the rim, but he plays around the rim. He has a nose for the ball and he should be able to score.”
Johnson said the sophomore forward had done a good job of getting in shape and developing his offensive skill set during the offseason.
“For us – and he understands this – we are going to play through him in the post,” Johnson said.
Abron said his experience playing in a big conference like the SEC will help TCU as it enters its first season in the Big 12.
“I think it’s going to help our team out a lot because I know how that game is played,” Abron said. “I know what it takes, both team-wise and player-wise.”
Johnson said Abron’s experience at Arkansas will help him this season, and that no arena TCU plays in should make the forward uneasy or intimidated.
Abron said that so far, he has enjoyed TCU and the time he has spent with his new teammates.
“We are picking up a good team chemistry right now,” Abron said. “We’ve been having fun, going to movies- doing team bonding. We’re getting along great, getting to know each other more day-by-day.”
Abron also spoke about the closeness of the team, joking that if a bear attacked them, everyone would stay and fight.
Abron averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his lone season at Arkansas, leading the Razorbacks in rebounding.
Abron’s career-highs in points and rebounds are 13 and 16, respectively.
Abron will wear number 23 for the Horned Frogs this season.
