Three Pokes Hop in Portal 24 Hours After Linder Departure
LARAMIE -- College players have a 30-day window to leave their current program if the coach departs for another job.
Three Cowboys didn't waste any time doing just that.
Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams, Tyree Ihenacho and Obi Agbim announced on social media Friday afternoon they will be looking for a new home roughly 24 hours after news broke that Jeff Linder would be leaving to take a top assistant position at Texas Tech.
"Following coach Jeff Linder's departure to Texas Tech, I've had discussions with my family and decided to re-open my recruitment," penned Yamanouchi-Williams, who committed to Wyoming just two days ago after spending last season at the University of Portland. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Wyoming for everything. God's got me."
Yamanouchi-Williams is a 6-foot-10 forward, who averaged nearly nine points a night to go along with 5.2 rebounds during his lone year with the Pilots. The Japan native began his collegiate career a year prior at Lamar University in Texas.
Wyoming was also going to be the third program for Ihenacho, who was recruited out of high school by the University of North Dakota. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard then spent two seasons at James Madison before returning to Grand Forks last fall. He averaged 14.5 points per night and added nearly four assists.
"Due to the recent coaching change at Wyoming, I will be re-entering the portal and opening up my recruitment," Ihenacho wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Thanks to everyone who recruited me to Wyoming and I wish everyone the best moving forward."
Agbim also made two stops before inking with the Cowboys on April 11.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard began his career at Northeastern Junior College before spending the next two seasons at Fort Lewis. Both schools are in neighboring Colorado. Agbim, who averaged 16 points and four rebounds a game last year, was Linder's first offseason addition.
"With the recent coaching changes, I’ve decided to re-enter my name into the transfer portal," Agbim said. "I’m eager to make an immediate impact at the highest level. If there are any questions about my recruitment and situation feel free to DM me and get my contact information."
Touko Tainamo (Denver) and Matija Belic (UC-Santa Barbara) also signed with Wyoming this offseason. It is unknown if incoming freshmen Dylan Warlick, Jehvion Starwood, Oliver Faubert or Dominic Pangonis will remain committed to the program.
Kobe Newton posted on X late Thursday night that he plans to finish his career in Laramie.
"I can't tell you what my current and future teammates are thinking right now, but I can tell you this, I will give everything I have to the University of Wyoming night in and night out," Newton wrote. "That's the only way I know how to play. The only way that the game should be played."
Newton appeared in 20 games for the Cowboys last season, averaging 4.5 points per game. The Oregon product, noted for his work on the defensive end of the floor, missed 11 games with a staph infection in his right ankle.
Before Friday's departures, Wyoming had one scholarship available. Division-I programs are allowed up to 13 full-ride players on the roster.
F - Touko Tainamo *
G - Matija Belic *
G - Oliver Faubert **
G - Dominic Pangonis **
G - Jehvion Starwood **
F - Dylan Warlick **
F - Oleg Kojenets
G - Kobe Newton
G - Nigle Cook
** Incoming freshman
* Transfer