As the Kent State men’s basketball season continues to deal with a tumultuous season, one player is going in a new direction. 

Sophomore center Kalin Bennett has announced via Twitter today that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal. Bennett had seen his playing time increase as the season went on last year, but rarely saw the floor at the beginning of this season.

Bennett made national news in 2019 when Kent State played Portage County opponent Hiram on opening night. Bennett was the first player with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the history of Division I men’s basketball to score a point in a game. 

He said in his statement today he is grateful for the support of Kent State this past year, but that he misses his family in Little Rock, Arkansas. The tweet he sent had a graphic with Bennet’s picture during a game, and a written statement. The tweet itself said only “Please Respect My Decision.”

The full statement read as follows.

“I wanna thank Kent State University for all the time spent here from freshman year on to now. I want to thank all my friends, teammates and those I can call family for the rest of my life. With that being said I am putting my name in the transfer portal. Making this decision was nowhere near easy for me but circumstances, COVID, and not being around my family has truly affected me. Again thank you FlashNation you will always hold a place dear to my heart.”

As Bennett enters the transfer portal he has not yet expressed any interest in a preferred destination. In 16 games a year ago he scored 11 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, but had to undergo groin surgery in the offseason. In the flashes opener against Point Park Bennett played four minutes hitting one of two free throws in a trip to the line. 

Dante is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].