The emergence of Henri Veesaar as a versatile big man and key part of Arizona’s rotation was arguably the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 season, not to mention a source of hope for the future.
Turns out that may be for a different team’s future.
Veesaar has reportedly put his name into the NCAA transfer portal, the third Wildcat to do so since the UA’s season ended in the Sweet 16.
The 7-foot Veesaar had a breakout year for Arizona, his third with the program. The redshirt sophomore averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game, starting five times but mostly coming off the bench.
Veesaar, a native of Estonia who missed the 2023-24 season with an elbow injury, had 16 double-figure scoring games including 13 against Duke in the Sweet 16. His career high was 22 against ASU in the home finale.
A foot injury to fellow big man Motiejus Krivas in December opened the door for Veesaar to take on a bigger role in the frontcourt, either in place of or in taken with Tobe Awaka. His pay drew rave reviews from opposing coaches, some of whom referred to him as an NBA prospect.
Veesaar joins guard KJ Lewis and center Emmanuel Stephen as Arizona players in the portal. Along with guard Caleb Love and forward Trey Townsend, who are out of eligibility, the Wildcats are down to six scholarship players remaining from a team that went 24-13, tied for third place in the Big 12 and then reached the conference tournament final before making the Sweet 16 for the third time in four seasons under Tommy Lloyd.