Akron's Eric Mahaffey Commits to Cincinnati
Cincinnati continues to reshape its roster under first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun, and the latest addition keeps things close to home. Former Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey announced his commitment to the Cincinnati Bearcats on April 15, giving Calhoun another versatile piece out of the transfer portal.
Akron transfer guard Eric Mahaffey has committed to Cincinnati, he told @On3.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 16, 2026
The 6-6 freshman and Cincinnati native averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season, shooting 39% from three. Was MAC All-Freshman Team. https://t.co/P2CLLLO2iq pic.twitter.com/sZmKNhNjjv
A Cincinnati native and product of Moeller High School, Mahaffey brings both local ties and a familiar basketball lineage. He’s the younger brother of Evan Mahaffey, who has suited up for Penn State, Ohio State, and Akron during his college career.
Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6 guard, made a strong impact during his redshirt freshman season with Akron. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while helping power the Zips to a MAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. His efficiency stood out—he shot 39 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free-throw line, while earning 11 starts on a team that finished 29-6 overall and dominated MAC play at 17-1.
One of his most impressive outings came in non-conference action against Iona, where he poured in 20 points on an ultra-efficient 8-of-9 shooting performance, including a perfect mark from three-point range. Over the course of the season, he established himself as a reliable contributor on both ends, showing the ability to rebound, defend, and stretch the floor.
Before arriving at Akron, Mahaffey had a well-rounded high school career at Moeller. As a senior, he started 28 games and averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per contest while shooting 50 percent from the field. He also made his mark defensively and as a playmaker, finishing among the league leaders in assists, rebounds, and blocks.
His path hasn’t been without adversity. Mahaffey missed the 2024–25 season due to a preseason knee injury, taking a medical redshirt. He returned the following year and carved out a meaningful role, even getting the chance to share the floor with his older brother during Akron’s successful campaign.
Mahaffey becomes the fifth transfer addition for Calhoun this offseason, joining a growing group that includes David Iweze (Utah State), Tyler Tejada (Towson), Riley Allenspach (George Mason), and Myles Colvin (Wake Forest). With a mix of size, athleticism, and experience, Cincinnati’s incoming class is beginning to take shape as the Bearcats look to turn the page into a new era.