By: Justin “Couz” Walker | WV Sports Chat
Per media reports, the first transfer portal loss for the WVU men’s basketball team will be forward Evans Barning Jr. Sam Kayser with Kayser Hoops was one of the first to report the story.
The 6-foot-7 freshman spent the 2025-26 season with Ross Hodge and the Mountaineers but did not see any game action. That means he will leave Morgantown with four years of eligibility remaining.
The native of Ontario, Canada was originally a 2026 recruit, but came to WVU after reclassifying to the 2025 class.
This move comes as no surprise. Barning did not travel with the team to the College Basketball Crown event in Las Vegas last week.
Keep it here at WV Sports Chat for continued coverage of WVU men’s basketball transfer portal activity.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
