Cincinnati Bearcats basketball could feature several new post players in 2024 as Aziz Bandaogo became the third big man in a week's time to announce alternative plans. Previously, Viktor Lakhin went to the transfer portal as did Jamille Reynolds who quickly landed at USF, returning to the AAC.

The upside in the case of the 7-footer from Senegal is he could return to the Bearcats. Bandaogo announced via social media his intentions to test the NBA Draft process but mentioned he has plans to finish his college career with Wes Miller and Cincinnati.

"To my Cincinnati Bearcats family, fans and supporters, thank you for the amazing journey so far. I have decided to test the NBA draft but plan to finish my college career at UC. Let's do something special. Go Bearcats."

Bandaogo earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors this season as he totaled 49 blocks in 29 games, including 10 over three games late in the season (four in only 15 minutes against No. 14 Baylor). His 1.7 blocks per game ranked second in the Big 12 and were UC's most since Octavius Ellis in 2014-15.

UC, Wes Miller and attorneys from North Carolina went to bat for Bandaogo to get his eligibility from the NCAA as a two-time transfer. Bandaogo was declared eligible Nov. 20, 2023. He missed UC's first four games, then made his debut against Georgia Tech Nov. 22, with eight points, nine rebounds and a block in 21 minutes.

Bandaogo averaged 6.6 points and 7.4 rebounds on the year, the latter leading the team. He started 25 of the 28 games he played. However, his numbers were down from his previous season at Utah Valley University where he helped the Wolverines beat the Bearcats in the 2023 NIT quarterfinals with a 15-point, 12-rebound performance.

At Utah Valley, he averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds and had 27 double-figure scoring games, compared to six for the Bearcats. Before Utah Valley he played 40 games in two seasons at Akron, starting five.

At one point in the fall, some NBA projections had him as a potential second-round pick. Currently, most have him as an undrafted free agent.

Should Bandaogo return, UC could have four of the five starters that tipped off in their final NIT game back.

Josh Reed returning

The 6-foot-7 wing announced his plans on Instagram Friday.

Reed averaged two points and two rebounds through 35 games this season with a high game of six vs. Oklahoma State. Reed will be a junior.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats might be down 3 big men as Bandaogo declares for NBA Draft