Ohio State Announces Medical Condition Prematurely Ends Career Of Ex-USU Guard Abel Porter
Nov 4, 2020, 9:40 AM | Updated: 11:33 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann announced that former Utah State and current Buckeyes point guard Abel Porter will have his college basketball career end early because of a medical condition.
Holtmann said that the issue was not related to COVID-19 but that Porter will never play for the Buckeyes because of the condition.
“Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann announced today that point guard Abel Porter, a graduate transfer from Utah State, will not compete for the Buckeyes during the 2020-21 season due to a non-COVID related medical condition that will end his collegiate career,” Ohio State basketball said in a statement.
Ohio State basketball news: Senior guard Abel Porter, a graduate transfer from Utah State, is unable to participate this season due to a non-COVID related medical condition that will end his collegiate career pic.twitter.com/BbhsgSYkpk
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) November 4, 2020
“This has been a difficult past few weeks for Abel and his family,” Holtmann said in a statement. “He is a tremendous person and I know he is very appreciative for the opportunity to be a Buckeye. Abel has expressed how thankful he is for the fantastic medical care he has received. He will remain a part of our program.”
Shortly after Ohio State’s announcement, Porter confirmed the news on social media.
— Abel Porter (@Ah_bell) November 4, 2020
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Abel Porter’s decision to transfer
In April, Porter announced his decision to join Ohio State’s men’s basketball program. The decision came nearly a month after he choose to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal and pursue opportunities away from Utah State.
Porter planned to play for a No. 19 ranked Buckeyes program that finished last season in fifth place in the Big Ten Conference with a record of 21-10.
“A big part was I wanted to really get back to the NCAA tournament,” Porter told Eleven Warriors.com after transferring from Utah State to Ohio State. “There’s only so many schools that can really offer a chance at that, right? Ohio State’s absolutely near the top when it comes to that. I loved the pitch that they had and the winning culture and the winning history that Ohio State basketball has, and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Abel Porter at Utah State
Originally a walk-on, Porter was awarded a scholarship during the 2018-19 regular season.
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The Farmington, Utah native completed his redshirt junior season with the Aggies in 2019-20. He was honored during Utah State’s Senior Night at the end of the regular season.
Last season, Porter averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and helped the Aggies win the Mountain West Conference Tournament for the second straight year.
In four seasons with Utah State, Porter averaged 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He appeared in 95 games.
