Carlton transferring to Houston
Another former UConn player is heading back to the American Athletic Conference.
Josh Carlton, the 6-foot-11 senior center, announced via Instagram on Monday that he will be transferring to Houston. The Cougars are coming off their best season in nearly 40 years, advancing to the Final Four before losing to Baylor on Saturday.
“I felt like this was the best spot for me,” Carlton told Hearst Connecticut Media by phone on Monday.
Carlton announced on March 25 that he was entering the
NCAA’s transfer portal, taking advantage of an added year of eligibility given to all winter athletes this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will play at Houston as a graduate student.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson was one of the first to reach out to him after he entered the portal, Carlton said.
“He was emphasizing, they’re good at every position, but the piece they’re missing is the fivespot,” Carlton reported. “So, I have the opportunity to go in and be that missing piece and have an impact. I’m real excited.”
Carlton averaged 3.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 19 games this season, including one start. He started 64 games over the previous two seasons, but lost his starting spot to freshman Adama Sanogo this season.
As a junior, Carlton averaged 7.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 31 games. He averaged 9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 33 games as a sophomore when he was named AAC Most Improved Player, after starting 17 games (4.4 points, 3.7 rebounds) as a freshman.
He became a reserve this season as Sanogo emerged as the starter. But Carlton continued to contribute off the bench and a leader.
“It was tough,” he said, “but I just tried to stay positive through all of it and support my teammates regardless of what was going on, and contribute when I was asked to make contributions.”
Now, he returns to the AAC as a member of the league’s bellwether program for the past several seasons.
“I already knew they were a good program,” he said of Houston, “but seeing them get to the Final Four, I thought it was a big opportunity.”
“You’ve got good teams (in the AAC),” he added. “The travel is brutal, but the teams are good. Plus,
I’ll get to play in front of my family in a couple of spots.”
Carlton said he is in Maryland right now, but will return to UConn and graduate in May.
Carlton is the second UConn player to enter the transfer portal. Guard Brendan Adams, who is graduating in three years, announced on Monday he is transferring. Seniors Tyler Polley and Isaiah Whaley are also eligible for another season and could transfer.
Carlton is following the path of former teammate Alterique Gilbert, who also transferred to an AAC school when he landed at Wichita State last year.