Utah State's Adlan Elamin Commits to Cincinnati

by Ryan Roberts

Cincinnati continues to stay active in the transfer portal as first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun shapes his initial roster in Clifton. The latest addition came on April 16, when former Utah State freshman wing Adlan Elamin announced he would follow Calhoun to Cincinnati.

 

 

At 6-foot-9, Elamin brings length and athleticism to the Bearcats’ wing rotation. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds as a freshman, flashing his ability to finish above the rim and impact plays with his burst. His role grew late in the season, logging 27 minutes per game across Utah State’s final five contests while producing 10 points and four rebounds per outing during that stretch.

Elamin showed he can rise to the occasion, tying his season-high with 15 points on three separate occasions—including a strong showing in the Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinal against Nevada. With three years of eligibility remaining, he arrives in Cincinnati as a long-term developmental piece with clear upside.

Coming out of St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Virginia, Elamin was regarded as a four-star recruit by recruiting services. He drew interest from Penn State, Arizona State , and Iowa, among others. He played a key role in helping his high school program reach the top ranking nationally during the 2023–24 season and followed that with another strong senior campaign that ended in a state semifinal appearance.

Evaluators have long been intrigued by Elamin’s physical tools. His combination of size, fluidity, and mobility allows him to cover ground effortlessly, especially in transition and on the defensive end. While his frame is still developing, adding strength will be an important next step as he adjusts to the physical demands of the Big 12. Offensively, he has shown flashes as a shooter and passer, with the ability to handle the ball in space, though consistency remains an area for growth.

 

 

Within Cincinnati’s evolving roster, Elamin projects as a depth piece who could grow into a more prominent role over time. Continued development—both physically and skill-wise—will determine how quickly he climbs the rotation. If he adds strength without sacrificing his quickness, his ceiling becomes much more intriguing.

Elamin is one of several recent portal additions for the Bearcats. Wings Myles Colvin and Tyler Tejada have also committed, along with frontcourt players David Iweze and Riley Allenspach. Guard Eric Mahaffey is set to join the program as well, giving Calhoun a mix of youth, versatility, and upside as he builds toward his first season.

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