Nik Khamenia to transfer to UConn men’s basketball

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Nikolas Khamenia (14) dribbles the ball against UConn Huskies forward Jaylin Stewart (3) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Dan Hurley has another impact transfer from the portal, as the Huskies have landed Nikolas Khamenia from Duke. Khamenia, a 6-foot-8 forward, was the No. 19 recruit in the country per 247Sports composite rankings before joining Duke last season. Like his future teammate Najai Hines, Khamenia is a rising sophomore and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Khamenia averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils last season, appearing in 38 games and starting five of them. He shot 34 percent from the 3-point line on 103 attempts and scored a season-high 14 points on three occasions. In Duke’s Elite Eight loss to UConn, Khamenia had seven points, two rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes.

Prior to the season, Khamenia was projected as a potential first round pick in this year’s NBA Draft, but after his freshman season, is no longer projected in that range. With Alex Karaban exhausting his eligibility, Khamenia figures to slot into the starting lineup for the Huskies and ease UConn’s transition to life post Karaban with a similar level of offensive and defensive versatility.

With Khamenia and Hines in tow, Hurley has completely reconfigured the Huskies’ frontcourt after losing Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. to graduation. After losing Jaylin Stewart and Eric Reibe in the portal, the Huskies still likely need to hit the portal to fill out the rest of the roster with quality depth.