Miami freshman big Salih Altuntas enters transfer portal after one season

Freshman forward Salih Altuntas has entered the transfer portal after one season in Coral Gables.

Salih Altuntas never found a steady role at Miami

Altuntas appeared in 32 games as a freshman and averaged 1.6 points and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 65.7% from the floor.

His best night came early in the season when he posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in Miami's 97-41 win over Delaware State on Nov. 23. He also scored 10 points against North Florida in December.

Altuntas arrived from Turkey and had played in the Turkish Basketball League and for Anadolu Efes' U19 team. In 19 games for Istanbul Anka Spor, he averaged 10.1 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 54.1% from the field. In 13 U19 games for Anadolu Efes, he averaged 15.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals. 

Altuntas played in both the U18 and U20 Euro Championship A tournaments for Turkey in 2024, and he averaged 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in seven games at the U18 event.

Altuntas was viewed through the lens of his long term potential. Miami signed him as a legitimate long-term developmental big with pro size, international experience and enough production overseas to believe he could eventually grow into a rotation player for the Canes.

That development just never fully materialized in Year 1. With Ernest Udeh Jr. and Malik Reneau both leaving, there was at least a potential path to more opportunities next season if Altuntas had stayed. Instead, Miami now has to replace not only last year's proven production, but also another young big who could have absorbed minutes and grown into a larger role down the line. Altuntas will attempt to land on his feet in a college basketball world that is constantly evolving.