Pinging The Portal: Cincinnati Contacts South Florida Guard Ryan Conwell, Center Russell Tchewa

CINCINNATI — UC's search for transfer talent continues as multiple reports say Cincinnati reached out to South Florida freshman guard Ryan Conwell, and center Russell Tchewa this weekend.

Conwell started 21 games (appeared in 32) last season and posted averages of 5.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. He notched a career-best 20-point performance against Tulane in February.

He scored just 4 points in 42 combined minutes against Cincinnati this season. Conwell has three years of eligibility left after entering his college career as a three-star recruit.

The 6-foot-4 195-pound wing makes a lot of his impact near the rim and will need to work on his shooting to stick in a Power Five rotation (34% FG, 30% from deep).

Still, he's very young and could develop under a staff in Cincinnati that's proven its chops on that front entering Year 3. Conwell is On3's 121st-ranked transfer.

On the Tchewa front, 24/7 High School Hoops reported the contact among over a dozen other schools.

Tchewa went into the portal a week ago so the contact could've happened before fellow big man Jamille Reynolds committed to UC this past weekend.

He averaged 11.1 Pts and 8.6 Reb on 60% shooting from the field last season. The 7-footer already transferred from Texas Tech to USF and has one season of eligibility left.

Tchewa is On3's 129th-ranked transfer.

2nd | Gonna keep fighting to the finish!@russelltchewa throws one down!

MEM - 85
USF - 76

Timeout with 4:58 left to play. pic.twitter.com/7b0h3mUIfk
— USF Men's Basketball (@USFMBB) February 9, 2023

2nd | Big man throwing down big dunks!

ECU - 36
USF - 55

Timeout with 11:59 left in the game.

ESPNU 📺 https://t.co/wGT8UFafFn #HornsUp 🤘 @russelltchewa pic.twitter.com/uHTbJRJMqs
— USF Men's Basketball (@USFMBB) February 2, 2023