George Mason Big Man Riley Allenspach Commits to Cincinnati
Cincinnati continues to reshape its roster under first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun.. On April 13, the Bearcats landed their first center from the transfer portal with a commitment from former George Mason big man Riley Allenspach, according to multiple reports.
News: Riley Allenspach tells ESPN he has committed to Cincinnati and head coach Jerrod Calhoun.
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 13, 2026
Allenspach is one of the most productive and improved big men in the portal.
His efficiency and productivity have shown significant improvement at both Samford and George Mason.… pic.twitter.com/VWrHFmTKT2
Allenspach, a 6-foot-11 senior, is set to spend his final collegiate season in Clifton after putting together a productive year at George Mason. He averaged 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game during the 2025–26 campaign, earning All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors. His efficiency stood out most—he finished second in the A-10 and ranked among the top 40 nationally with a 56.6% field goal percentage.
Offensively, Allenspach brings versatility to the interior. While he does most of his damage around the rim, he also showed an ability to stretch the floor, knocking down 31.3% of his three-point attempts on modest volume. He was especially effective on the glass, posting a 10.2% offensive rebounding rate, which ranked fifth in the conference.
Before his time with the Patriots, Allenspach began his career at Samford, where he developed into a reliable rotation player across two seasons. He has steadily improved each year, culminating in a breakout campaign this past season that also saw him post a 24.4 player efficiency rating—second-best in the A-10.
His 2025–26 season included a number of standout performances. He scored in double figures 23 times and recorded four double-doubles, highlighted by a 26-point outing against Old Dominion and multiple 20-plus point efforts in conference play. He also proved dependable in big moments, producing against quality opponents and maintaining strong shooting splits throughout league competition.
Allenspach projects as a key piece in Cincinnati’s frontcourt rotation. He should compete for a starting role, but at minimum provides a dependable interior option who can anchor lineups as a high-efficiency scorer and rebounder. His addition gives Calhoun another experienced, productive player as he builds out his first roster.
The Charlotte, North Carolina native becomes the Bearcats’ fourth transfer addition this cycle, joining Tyler Tejada from Towson, Myles Colvin from Wake Forest, and David Iweze who chose to follow Calhoun from Utah State.
With roster movement still ongoing, Cincinnati is expected to remain active in the portal as it continues shaping the 2026–27 squad.