Samford University basketball star forward Akol Akol has entered his name into the transfer portal, announcing it on social media Wednesday morning.

I'd like to thank everyone at Samford University for the past two years. I've had some amazing times with you and am incredibly proud of all we've accomplished together.

With that being said, I am happy to announce that I have entered my name into the transfer portal! pic.twitter.com/qwvXBENude

— Achor* (@AchorAchor4) May 2, 2024

“I'd like to thank everyone at Samford University for the last two years of my career. I had some great times with you all and am very proud of all we accomplished together. With that being said, I'm excited to announce that I have entered my name into the transfer portal!” he said.

Last year, Akol averaged 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game as he led the Bulldogs to an NCAA Tournament appearance and a historic 29-6 record. He was third in the Southern Conference in field goal percentage (59.1 percent from the field) and sixth in the conference in 3-point percentage (44.2 percent from the field) during the regular season. Akol led Samford in nearly every major statistical category and was named to the All-SoCon First Team.

RELATED: Samford University clinches first NCAA Tournament berth since 2000

Akol's announcement sent ripples through the college basketball world, garnering attention from Sports Illustrated reporter Kevin Sweeney and Field of 68 reporter Jeff Goodman.

Samford big man Akol Akol has entered the transfer portal, according to his Twitter page (Uh huh?).

A big late-night addition to the portal, an athletic big man who averaged 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks this season while shooting 44% from three-point range. pic.twitter.com/lNt5jRCRNw

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) May 2, 2024

A great overdue addition to the portal.

Samford's Akol Akol has entered the portal, sources said translator.

He averaged 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds for a Bulldogs team that went 29-6 and made it to the NCAA Tournament.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 2, 2024

Accol entered their name just hours before the transfer portal deadline, signing guard Dallas Graziani. Take the opening tip-off He faced 7-foot-4 Zach Eddy and forward AJ Staton-McRae, whose controversial block put Samford on the brink of beating Kansas in March Madness.

The Bulldogs lost their entire starting lineup from last season. SoCon Freshman of the Year Rylan Jones and second-leading scorer Jaeden Campbell graduated, along with Akol, Graziani and Stayton McCray. Jermaine Marshall, a mainstay of the program who returned from injury late in the season and played well, is also no longer eligible to play.

Bucky McMillan and the Bulldogs will have to turn to the transfer portal if they want to replicate last year's success. The only returning contributors from the 2023-2024 team are guards Josh Holloway and Lucas Walls and center Riley Arenspack, who all averaged less than six points per game. As of this writing, Samford's recruiting class consists of two high school freshmen and transfer student Collin Holloway from Tulane University.

Charles Vaughn is a contributing writer for Yellow Hammer News.