Arizona’s Henri Veesaar, Emmanuel Stephen entering transfer portal

Arizona Wildcats big men Henri Veesaar and Emmanuel Stephen entered their names in the transfer portal on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Stephen opted for the portal earlier in the day before Veesaar’s decision came hours later.

The 7-foot Veesaar appeared in 37 games (five starts) for the Wildcats last year. He averaged 9.4 points, five rebounds and 1.3 assists across 20.8 minutes per game.

The four-star prospect’s best game of the year came against Arizona State on March 4. In the 113-100 win, the center scored a season-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and four blocks.

The 7-foot Stephen played 23 minutes across six games this season as a true freshman.

The four-star prospect out of Dream City Christian initially was set to redshirt but in mid-December saw limited action in a run of five games once Arizona lost center Motiejus Krivas to a season-ending injury.

Stephen’s best production came in a six-point, six-rebound outing on Dec. 21 against Central Michigan. His last regular season game came on Jan. 21 before he got two minutes of run in a blowout of No. 13 seed Akron in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, a game Arizona won 93-65.

Arizona basketball’s depth at center

While the Wildcats have questions to answer on the wings, the center position was expected to be a strength heading into next year.

Stephen was buried behind center Tobe Awaka, who can return to Tucson next season after his physicality translated to a starting role and some big success in the NCAA Tournament.

And while Veesaar is set to test the portal waters after serving in a backup role last year, Krivas could return.

Lloyd believed the big man could potentially become Arizona’s best player before he got hurt in 2024-25.

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