Aidan Mahaney has returned to the NCAA transfer portal.
The former Saint Mary’s College and Campolindo High star is leaving UConn after one season, according to numerous reports.
Mahaney’s playing time and production dramatically dropped after his departure from Saint Mary’s last spring.
The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 4.5 points and 12.3 minutes per game for the two-time defending national champions after averaging 13.9 points and 33.2 minutes for Saint Mary’s as a sophomore the previous season, which included first-team all-West Coast Conference recognition.
Mahaney started just five games for UConn – the team’s first five – after making 60 starts in two seasons at Saint Mary’s.
He told CT Insider that the decision to re-enter the transfer portal was difficult, “but it’s what I needed to do.”
In UConn’s season-ending 77-75 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Mahaney played eight minutes and scored four points.
That’s a far cry from the notoriety he received before the season, when he was named a preseason all-Big East honorable mention selection.
Now Mahaney is seeking a new home – or maybe a return to his former home?
When he left Saint Mary’s, Mahaney wrote on Instagram, “To the entire staff and my teammates, I have nothing but love for each and every person. Saint Mary’s has been a home for me for the past two years and I’m forever grateful for all the people that have been involved in my development as a player and a person.
“Historic moments and memories have been made in Moraga the last two years for me and my family and I will never forget all that was accomplished.”
Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett has known Mahaney for many years. The guard was teammates with Bennett’s sons during a memorable run at Campolindo, which is a mile away from the SMC campus.
Mahaney won a state championship as a high school freshman and was on the verge of playing for another state title when the championships were canceled because of the pandemic.
As a senior, he was named the Bay Area News Group high school player of the year.