Colorado Buffaloes Lose Another Big Man to Transfer Portal

Ifaola came to Colorado as the assumed future of the center position in Boulder. He was listed as a four-star recruit, the No. 8 player from Nigeria and the No. 25 center in the class of 2025 by 247Sports.

His 7-0, 245 pound muscular frame intrigued coaches across the country, as he received offers from Oklahoma State, USC, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Providence in addition to Colorado.

But his first season wasn’t up to par for the high expectations carried by his four-star rating. He averaged just 7.8 minutes per game, and his stats were lacking as a result. He only averaged 0.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 blocks and 0.3 assists per game during his lone season with the Buffs.

Ifaola also frequently ran into foul trouble, and it was the primary reason his minutes never increased as the season progressed. He averaged 1.8 fouls per game despite his low minute total.

But after just one campaign with the Buffs, Ifaola is headed elsewhere.

What Fawaz ‘Tacko’ Ifaola’s departure means for Colorado

While Ifaola’s production wasn’t what coach Tad Boyle and the Colorado Buffaloes had hoped, his departure is certainly not what they were hoping for.

Colorado’s frontcourt has been dismantled by the transfer portal, with star forwards Sebastian Rancik and Bangot Dak abandoning ship just over a week ago. In addition, the Buffaloes’ only other center on the roster who played in 2025, Elijah Malone, is out of eligibility and will not be returning to Colorado for the 2026 season. Colorado has also yet to secure an incoming center in the transfer portal.

Additionally, Ifaola still had plenty of room for growth. While he didn’t make the progress the Buffaloes were hoping for during the 2025 season, he still possesses the physical makeup of a premier Big 12 center. Had Colorado been able to properly develop Ifaola, limiting his foul trouble and training him to use his frame more effectively, he could still have lived up to the high expectations of being CU’s center of the future.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook for the latest news.