Offseason Primer: Everything to Know Before the Transfer Portal Opens Tuesday, April 7
Northern Kentucky basketball will head into the 2026–27 season with plenty of change, starting with some major developments off the court.
NKU is already in a transition period within its athletic leadership. Christina Roybal, who led NKU Athletics since 2022, stepped down before the end of her contract after deciding not to pursue an extension.
John Mason is currently serving as Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics, giving the university time to conduct a thorough search for its next permanent AD. The approach allows NKU to be deliberate in identifying the right leader to guide the department moving forward.
There is also a significant change coming to the Horizon League Tournament. Beginning in 2027, the second round, semifinals, and championship games for both the men’s and women’s tournaments will move to The Arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville, Indiana, with the agreement running through 2031.
The tournament will still begin with first round games on campus sites, with teams that advance heading to Noblesville for the final three rounds on March 7–9, 2027. The arena, which opened in 2025, seats roughly 3,400 and is home to the Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom.
The move keeps the tournament in central Indiana but shifts it from the Indiana State Fairgrounds to a newer venue, something many around the league had been hoping for as the Horizon League looks to build a stronger championship event experience for teams and fans.
Like last offseason, the Norse have significant roster work ahead.
The good news for NKU is that every eligible player is expected to return. No Norse players are entering the transfer portal this offseason. Ryan Tolliver, Bryce Darbyshire, Ethan Elliott, Donovan Rakotonanahary, Addison Archer, Juanma Ruiz, and JJ Apathjang are all set to be back.
It’s a mix of experience and development. Tolliver and Rakotonanahary gained valuable minutes this season, while Elliott, still technically a freshman, adjusted to the Division I level in the U.S. Darbyshire and Archer now have multiple seasons in a college program, and Ruiz and Apathjang, both redshirts, will be looking to break into the rotation and earn consistent roles.
On the coaching side, the only potential change to watch is Assistant Coach/Player Development Coach Ryan Peterson, who could draw interest for other opportunities this offseason.
Northern Kentucky will lose a large portion of its roster to graduation and exhausted eligibility. The following players will not return next season: Dan Gherezgher, Donovan Oday, LJ Wells, Kael Robinson, Tae Dozier, Shawn Nelson, and Mitchel Minor. That leaves at least seven roster spots to fill heading into the 2026–27 season.
In total, NKU will need to replace 5,094 minutes, nearly 75% of last season’s playing time, along with 88% of the team’s scoring.
Here is a recap of the players NKU is losing and the impact they had during their time with the Norse.
#0 Dan Gherezgher
After briefly entering the transfer portal last offseason before returning to NKU, Dan played in all 34 games and finished with the second most points on the team. He more than doubled his scoring from his first season with the Norse and was a major offensive contributor throughout the year.
#3 Shawn Nelson
After transferring to NKU from Division II Barton College, Shawn appeared in 27 games and made two starts. His best offensive performance came in the season opener, when he scored in double figures for the only time all year, finishing with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. As the season progressed, his role shifted primarily to a situational defensive substitute for the Norse.
#5 LJ Wells
LJ appeared in 116 games for NKU across his four year career and made a major leap in his final season, becoming the most consistent presence on the Norse roster. He helped NKU win a Horizon League Tournament championship as a freshman and finished his career as a 1,000 point scorer.
In his final Horizon League Tournament run, he earned a spot on the HLMBB All Tournament Team. He averaged 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 61.5% from the field.
#8 Donovan Oday
A Second Team All Horizon League selection in his lone season with the Norse, Oday led the team in scoring despite spending much of the year coming off the bench. In a one season run, he stands out as one of NKU’s most impactful transfer portal additions.
He was firmly in the mix for Sixth Man of the Year before becoming a regular starter, and his play down the stretch even put him in the conversation for conference Player of the Year.
#11 Tae Dozier
Started 29 of NKU’s 34 games and was a steady, all around presence. His length allowed him to make a consistent defensive impact, often matching up with the opponent’s top scorers. He also contributed offensively, averaging nearly 9 points per game, while leading the team in blocks and finishing second in rebounding.
#24 Kael Robinson
One of NKU’s most dangerous three point shooters all season, Robinson’s year was highlighted by a nine three-pointer performance at Milwaukee, tying the program’s Division I record for made threes in a game.
His consistent scoring in the Horizon League Tournament helped fuel NKU’s run to the semifinals. In the postseason, he averaged 20 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot 47.8% from three.
#26 Mitchel Minor
The senior from Taylor Mill, Kentucky appeared in six games during his NKU career, with four of those coming this past season. In limited opportunities, he made the most of his minutes, going a perfect 3-3 from the field, including knocking down a three in the season opener this past season. Even when not in the game, he brought energy and enthusiasm on the bench, helping keep the group engaged throughout the season.
