Breakout Oakland NCAA Tournament Star Trey Townsend Announces Transfer to Arizona

The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year is headed to the Big 12.

Mar 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Trey Townsend (4) celebrates. / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After capturing the nation's imagination with Oakland in March, forward Trey Townsend is headed to a bigger stage.

Townsend is transferring to play a fifth year with Arizona, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony Wednesday morning.

"Arizona checked all the boxes I was looking for during this process," Townsend told Givony. "I look forward to getting to Tucson and playing for coach Tommy Lloyd, who has a proven track record of producing NBA players similar to me."

Townsend averaged 17.3 points per game for the Golden Grizzlies—for whom both his parents played once upon a time—in 2024. He was named the Horizon League's Player of the Year.

His true star turn, however, came in the NCAA tournament. After helping Oakland upset Kentucky in the first round, he exploded for 30 points in the Golden Grizzlies' second round overtime loss to NC State.

Arizona, after bowing out in the Sweet 16 against Clemson in this year's tournament, is moving to the Big 12 next season.