Duke Gains Commitment from Rice Transfer Center Ifeanyi Ufochukwu

Duke has landed transfer Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, a 6’11 center out of Rice University. Ifeanyi redshirted this past season and played in 16 games the previous year at Rice and 9 games the season before that. Considering the injury history of Duke’s current set of  bigs, this seems like a no-brainer in terms of security as well as a practice body. Nicknamed “Iffy”, Ufochukwu, was a sought after recruit in the 2022 class and could also provide Duke with a different look at the center spot in terms of being a lob threat. Ifeanyi is a former AAU teammate of current Duke guard Caleb Foster.

Rice University

2024-25 (Jr.)
Redshirted.

2023-24 (So.)
Played in 16 games … recorded 28 points and 10 rebounds … scored two points and had two rebounds against St. Thomas (11/7) … had two points, one block and a steal at No. 19 Texas (11/15) … scored two points against Indiana State (11/21) … tied a career-high with seven points versus UT-Martin (11/30) … notched two points and two rebounds at Tulane (1/3) … scored four points at Temple (1/20) … had two points against SMU (2/7) and UAB (2/21) … recorded four points and two rebounds in a season-high eight minutes at Wichita State (3/2).

2022-23 (Fr.)
Played in nine games … averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds … saw first career action at Pepperdine (11/7), recording two rebounds and a block … scored first career points on a dunk against St. Thomas (11/10) … set season-highs with seven points and five rebounds versus North American (12/15) … scored four points and had four rebounds against Northwestern State (12/17) … scored four points versus Jarvis Christian (12/19) … had four points and three rebounds at UAB (2/23).

Covenant Day School
Played for Marty Parrish at Covenant Day School … as a senior, averaged 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks … connected on 63.4% from the field.

Personal
Full Name: Ifeanyi Ufochukwu … son of Samuel and Grace Ufochukwu … has one brother and three sisters … sister Uchechi Ufochukwu played basketball at Winthrop and Bradley.

ACADEMIC HONORS
2024 AAC All-Academic Team
2023 Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll