By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sophomore forward Ladji Dembele plans to enter the transfer portal, making him the seventh Iowa player to enter the portal since Fran McCaffery was fired as the Iowa head coach last Friday.

Dembele announced his decision Thursday on social media.

He played in all 33 games this past season with 21 starts. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Dembele, who is originally from Mali in West Africa, said in his announcement on social media that he will keep open the option of returning to Iowa.

The other Iowa players to enter the portal this week are sophomore forwards Owen Freeman and Pryce Sandfort, sophomore point guard Brock Harding, sophomore combo guard Josh Dix, senior center Riley Mulvey and freshman forward Cooper Koch.