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Vangelis Zougris<\/a>, who emerged as a starter for Louisville basketball<\/a> down the stretch of his first season with the Cardinals, is reportedly headed to the NCAA transfer portal<\/a><\/p>\n Jon Chepkevich, the scouting director of DraftExpress first reported the news of Zougris’ planned departure<\/a> on Saturday. When he does officially enter the portal, 6-foot-8 Greek forward will be the fourth UofL player to do so this offseason \u2014 joining Mouhamed Camara<\/a>, Sananda Fru<\/a> and Khani Rooths<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n That leaves only London Johnson<\/a> and Adrian Wooley<\/a> as possible returners for Year 3 of the Pat Kelsey<\/a> era.<\/p>\n Zougris, a 21-year-old junior who spent four seasons playing professionally in the Greek Basketball League before coming to the United States, appeared in 27 games (nine minutes per) during his first go-around in the collegiate ranks. He averaged 2.6 points on 57.1% shooting and 2.4 rebounds.<\/p>\n Zougris logged only three shifts of 10-plus minutes for Louisville between Nov. 3 and Jan. 13. But he closed the campaign with seven in the final eight \u2014 after taking the 6-11 Fru’s spot in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n “Just being there every day \u2014 same attitude, same mentality,” Zougris said after his 6-0 run sparked the Cards’ comeback win over SMU at the ACC Tournament<\/a>. “\u2026 I think it’s paying off right now.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “Coming over from Greece, (it) just wasn’t going the way he wanted it to basketball-wise,” Kelsey added. “He was having a struggle adjusting; and then his role wasn’t something, obviously, that he envisioned. But he never lost hope \u2014 never lost faith.”<\/p>\n “There’s been so much stuff going on throughout the year. It’s been a tough year for me,” Zougris said. “I’ve worked so (hard). … I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve gotten to show what I can do and help my team win.”<\/p>\n The portal is open until midnight Wednesday, April 22. That’s an entry window; players can take their time finding a new home once they’ve hit the market. College basketball’s regular signing period begins Wednesday, April 15.<\/p>\n Players can choose to withdraw their name from the portal, but programs are not obligated to hold scholarships\/roster spots for entrants.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.<\/em><\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Vangelis Zougris, Louisville basketball big, transfer portal update<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n