Elon University men’s basketball star player sophomore Max Mackinnon announced that he is transferring to the University of Portland in an Instagram post on April 9.
After entering the transfer portal in March, Mackinnon found a new home in the Pilots’ basketball squad — who finished this season with a record of 12-21. Mackinnon will be leaving a Phoenix squad that finished the season with a slightly better record of 13-21.
The Phoenix will now have to grapple with a significant loss to their offense. In the 2023-24 season, Mackinnon was second-leading scorer with 12.1 points per game. He shot 36% from the 3-point line and led the team in rebounds and field goals per game. Additionally, he had the third highest number of assists per game with 2.6. Mackinnon, the 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year, played the most minutes on the team and seemed to be a big part of the team’s future.
Elon will now look to the team’s leader in points per game last year, sophomore TK Simpkins, to spearhead the team’s efforts moving forward.
Elon Athletics did not respond to Elon News Network’s immediate request for comment.