LADJI DEMBELE NEWS

Out vs. Rutgers Dembele (foot) is out for Thursday's game against Rutgers, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Dembele logged 10 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's loss to Alabama and also played 14 minutes in Tuesday's defeat against Maryland. However, the big man won't suit up for a third straight game, and it's unclear whether he re-aggravated the injury or will be given a maintenance day. Dembele is averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 boards per game, and he'll aim to return when UNLV resumes play in December.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Surprising return Tuesday Dembele (foot) logged zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 14 minutes during Tuesday's 74-67 loss against Maryland.

Impact Dembele was doubtful for Tuesday's game, so it comes as a surprising development that UNLV used him against Maryland. He logged the Rebels' most bench minutes but still fell behind fellow forwards and starters Tyrin Jones and Kimani Hamilton. Going into the rest of the Players Era tournament, Dembele's role is in question. UNLV may continue to ease him into action, especially if Jacob Bannarbie (calf) recovers quickly. But as a UNLV starter, Dembele has held his own, averaging 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in three starts.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for tourney-related game Dembele (foot) is doubtful for Monday's game against Maryland, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Rothstein indicates that Dembele's foot injury will cause another DNP. Before then, he did not play when UNLV and St. Joseph's logged their latest game Thursday.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Memphis Dembele (foot) is out for Sunday's game at Memphis, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Dembele will miss his first game of the season as he deals with a foot injury. The starting center has averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across the Rebels' first three games. His next chance to see the court will be this upcoming Thursday against St. Joseph's.

NOVEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Available and starting Tuesday Dembele (foot) is available and starting against Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday.

Impact Dembele was questionable to feature in the Runnin Rebels' season opener, but not only will he be available, but he'll be part of the starting lineup. Dembele averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 boards per game for Iowa in 2024-25. This will be his official debut with UNLV.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for opener Dembele (foot) is questionable for UNLV's season opener against UT Martin on November 4, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Dembele has been working his way back from a foot injury suffered in the offseason, with his recovery spanning the course of the last two months. The 6-foot-8 forward's timeline was always expected to make his return for the start of the 2025-26 season questionable, so it doesn't appear he's suffered any setbacks. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with Iowa last season before heading to Las Vegas via the transfer portal in the offseason and is expected to be a solid contributor for the Rebels once he is able to make his return. His status will be worth monitoring as the season opener draws closer.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Out at least two months Dembele is out at least two months because of a foot injury, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Sometime between Dembele's last game for Iowa and late-August, Dembele suffered a foot injury, which is making his availability questionable as he prepares for his next season. UNLV's team opens its 2025-26 season against Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 4, so there is at least a slight chance that he can recover before both teams face off.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Committing to UNLV Dembele has committed to play for UNLV for the 2025-26 season, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Dembele will join the Rebels following two seasons with Iowa. The 6-foot-8 sophomore averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game through 33 contests for the Hawkeyes this past season. He will retain two years of eligibility with UNLV moving forward.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Enters transfer portal Dembele has entered the NCAA's transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3.

Impact While enrolled at Iowa, Dembele logged his freshman and sophomore seasons. Between them included significant improvement in his role and statistical rates. So currently, Dembele is in the NCAA's transfer portal as an adequate starter with two years of collegiate eligibility and a redshirt remaining.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Snags eight rebounds in win Dembele ended with seven points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and one steal in 23 minutes during Saturday's 85-79 victory over Washington.

Impact Dembele chipped in seven points, eight rebounds and a steal as the Hawkeyes took down the Huskies on Saturday. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has appeared in all 27 games (15 starts), averaging 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists on 15.6 minutes per game. Dembele and the Hawkeyes, who are 2-2 in their last four games, will look to steal a win on the road against Illinois this Tuesday.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Rutgers Dembele is listed amongst Iowa's starting five ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Rutgers.

Impact Dembele will move back into the Hawkeyes' starting five as Riley Mulvey returns to the bench. The 6-foot-8 sophomore is averaging 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists on 14.6 minutes per game this season (11 starts).

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Scores seven off the bench Dembele totaled seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and four rebounds across 24 minutes during Saturday's 74-63 loss to Wisconsin.

Impact Dembele got involved in Saturday's loss against the Badgers, chipping in seven points and four rebounds in the contest. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has appeared in all 23 games this season (11 starts), averaging 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists on 14.6 minutes per game. The Hawkeyes are expected to deploy Dembele to help fill the minutes lost from Owen Freeman's season-ending injury.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. New Hampshire Dembele is in the starting lineup for Monday's game against New Hampshire.

Impact Dembele will enter the first unit due to the absence of Owen Freeman (undisclosed). He's started in nine of his 12 outings this season, averaging 4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game in 2024-25.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 11 in rivalry matchup Dembele ended with 11 points (4-4 FG, 3-3 3Pt), four rebounds and one steal over 14 minutes during Thursday's 89-80 loss to Iowa State.

Impact Dembele converted on all four attempts from the field, including 3-of-3 from deep, as the Hawkeyes were taken down by the Cyclones on Thursday night. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has appeared in all 10 games this season (nine starts), averaging 4.6 points, four rebounds and 0.8 assists on 18.6 minutes per game. Dembele, who came off the bench for the first time this season against Iowa State, retains a small role for the Hawkeyes this season.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nears double-double in rout Dembele ended with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), eight rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes during Tuesday's 96-77 victory over South Dakota.

Impact Dembele has seized a starting spot with the Hawkeyes after coming off the bench for Iowa in 32 contests last season. The 6-foot-8 sophomore filled in nicely against North Dakota with Owen Freeman (illness) out for the contest. Through three starts, Dembele is averaging a respectable 6.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 22 minutes per game.

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Watch: Iowa Men's Hoops Presser 2-1-24 Fran McCaffery, Josh Dix, Ladji Dembele Interviews from Thursday

FEBRUARY 1, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Out against Maryland Dembele (undisclosed) won't play when Iowa hosts Maryland on Wednesday night.

Impact Dembele suffered an injury in the second half of Iowa's game against Purdue on Saturday, and proceeded to miss Monday's practice. Thus, it's unsurprising that the freshman won't be able to go against the Terps. It'll be the first game Dembele has missed this season, and the forward is averaging 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds across 11.6 minutes his first season in Iowa City.

JANUARY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores eight in loss Dembele totaled eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 14 minutes during Tuesday's 92-84 loss to Creighton.

Impact Dembele converted both attempts from deep, finishing with eight points, two rebounds and two assists during Tuesday's loss to Creighton. The 6-foot-8 freshman has seen some early-season utilization with the Hawkeyes, averaging six points and 2.3 rebounds on 14.3 minutes per game across Iowa's first three outings.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE