Ex-WVU Big Man Transfers to Northern Arizona

Former WVU walk-on center Ali Ragab is transferring to Northern Arizona, the program announced on Wednesday. Ragab signs with NAU about two months before the 2024-25 season begins.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐍.

Welcome to the Jacks 🤝🏀#RaiseTheFlag | #BigSkyBasketball pic.twitter.com/J0fDSRLcjk

— NAU Men's Basketball (@NAUBasketball) August 28, 2024

Ragab (7-foot) joined West Virginia’s team as a walk-on in September 2023. Ragab practiced with Jesse Edwards, Akok Akok and the rest of the frontcourt throughout the season, adding size. Ragab did not appear in a game this season for the Mountaineers, as he was redshirted.

Ragab entered the transfer portal on April 18, he told The Portal Report and WV Sports Now.

Before WVU, Ragab played for Gannon University. Ragab averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.2 minutes of play. Ragab played high school basketball at Rocktop Academy, a top prep school in Pennsylvania.

Ragab left West Virginia as a redshirt junior and will have two years of eligibility to play.

From last season’s team, eight players entered the portal, including Ragab. Josiah Harris (F – Akron), Seth Wilson (G – Akron), Patrick Suemnick (F – Oklahoma State), Kerr Kriisa (G – Kentucky) Noah Farrakhan (G – Hampton) and Kobe Johnson (G – Saint Louis) have all found new homes. Former WVU G Jeremiah Bembry is currently still available in the transfer portal.

New WVU HC Darian DeVries has brought in eight new transfers to counter the departures from Josh Eilert’s team. DeVries also brings in two scholarship freshmen.