Why was Kansas State’s Achor Achor dismissed? Possible reasons for Wildcats forward’s exit explored
Kansas State senior forward Achor Achor has parted ways with the Wildcats’ basketball program, as reported Wednesday by college analyst Jeff Goodman. He was averaging 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game this season after transferring from Samford, where he averaged 16.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg last season.
KSU coach Jerome Tang cited personal reasons for the separation.
"Achor and I have decided that there are more important things than basketball for him at this time," Tang said. "I hope some time away will allow him to reprioritize things in his life and allow him to finish his degree."
The Wildcats announced Achor’s departure in a news release, attributing the decision to personal reasons. However, reports from several media outlets suggest that Achor's exit may be linked to "detrimental behavior."
While the official reasoning for Achor Achor's exit focuses on personal growth and education, speculation about behavioral issues adds a layer of complexity.
"My focus is always to help young men become the best version of themselves and to help K-State become an elite program," Tang said. "We are developing men who will be great husbands and fathers."
This marks the second consecutive season that Kansas State has lost a player midseason. Unlike Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s dismissal earlier in the 2023 season, details surrounding Achor’s departure remain largely unclear.
Achor Achor no longer with Kansas State
Despite the limited court time, Achor Achor showcased flashes of brilliance, recording three double-digit scoring performances off the bench. His standout moment came against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 1), where he scored 21 points and shot 60.0% from 3-point range.
Following the game, Jerome Tang praised Achor’s progress:
"He’s been doing better at practice and getting more comfortable. All these guys come from places where they had a certain comfort level, and now it’s different. It’s not always what they expected."
As Achor Achor steps away from basketball, his future remains uncertain. Whether he seeks a new team or focuses on completing his degree, his departure signals a significant turning point in his career.
Kansas State (6-3), meanwhile, will continue striving toward its program goals under Tang, with its next matchup on Tuesday against Drake in the Wildcat Classic.