With University of Akron men’s basketball, brothers Evan and Eric Mahaffey are teammates for the first time.
“I always wanted to play with him. It’s a dream come true,” Eric Mahaffey said.
Evan, 21, and Eric, 19, overlapped as members of the Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller High School basketball program. Evan graduated from Moeller in 2022 and Eric in 2024. However, they didn’t play together because Evan was on varsity while Eric was on junior varsity.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow the brothers are starters for the Akron Zips, who improved to 7-2 this season with a 97-77 win over Bucknell on Dec. 3 at Rhodes Arena.
Evan compiled 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Eric had six points on 2-of-2 shooting from the floor, five rebounds and a steal.
“I think we fit in together really, really well,” Evan Mahaffey said. “I feel like we're both high-IQ players, so I think when I'm driving, Eric always knows where to cut, and I can find him. When he's driving, I feel like I'm always there for him.
“Then defensively, I feel like we're both menaces on and off the ball. I think we get a lot of steals and deflections, which leads to fast breaks.”
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From left to right, brothers and Akron Zips basketball teammates Evan and Eric Mahaffey pose for a photograph after UA's win over Bucknell on Dec. 3, 2025, at Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.Eric Mahaffey is a freshman guard who spent last season redshirting with the Zips after suffering a knee injury (medial collateral ligament) in the preseason. Evan Mahaffey is a senior wing who played at Penn State for one season and then at Ohio State for the past two seasons before transferring to Akron in March for his final season of college hoops.
Both brothers have started all nine Zips games this season.
“They’ve brought defense, athleticism, energy, positivity. They're fun to be around,” said Akron forward Amani Lyles, who scored a game-high 24 points against Bucknell. “Just seeing them interact in practice, it creates an energy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Seeing that relationship and them just playing together on the court, it looks like they're having fun. So, it motivates all of us to have fun with them.”
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) celebrates during a game Nov. 3, 2025, in Akron.The Mahaffey brothers explained they never expected to land on the same college roster until Evan Mahaffey began to entertain the possibility of transferring to Akron after this past season.
“For me, it's pretty awesome seeing [Eric] out there, seeing him get better and grow each game, being part of his first few college games,” Evan Mahaffey said. “I think sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself and just really take in these moments because not too many people get to do this.”
Akron Zips wing Marvin Musiime-Kamali (23) and guard Eric Mahaffey (4) wrestle for possession with James Madison Dukes forward Gabe Newhof (33) on Nov. 3, 2025, in Akron.After undergoing a heart transplant, Jamie Mahaffey has been watching his sons play for the Akron Zips
The brothers are the sons of former Miami University (Ohio) standout basketball player Jamie Mahaffey.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“He's a huge influence,” Eric Mahaffey said.
Jamie Mahaffey played forward for Miami from 1991-95, averaging 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior to help the RedHawks win the Mid-American Conference and an NCAA Tournament game against Arizona before being eliminated by Virginia. He later became a coach and guided Cincinnati North College Hill High School to three consecutive Division III state championships (2005-07).
“We have a pretty good feel for the game because of him and always being around the game,” said Evan Mahaffey, whose dad coached him while he was growing up. “Especially with the health problems he was having, him being able to come to one spot and see us play was something very big for us.”
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn January 2024, Jamie Mahaffey received a heart transplant. He has been able to attend a few Zips home games this season.
“He's doing really, really good,” Evan Mahaffey said. “He's been able to get up to a good amount of games. He's been able to walk a lot easier. So, it’s just a blessing from God.
“Our mom, [Robyn Mahaffey], just her strength through all of it is something that goes overlooked. But my mom's just driving everywhere, taking him to his appointments. They're both doing great, which is awesome.”
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey dunks against James Madison, Nov. 3, 2025.Evan Mahaffey and Eric Mahaffey stats with Akron Zips basketball
The Mahaffey brothers have been making plenty of plays this season in front of their parents and other Zips enthusiasts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementListed as 6 feet, 6 inches and 215 pounds, Evan Mahaffey is averaging 11 points on 65.6% shooting from the field, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 27.6 minutes.
Listed as 6 feet, 6 inches and 220 pounds, Eric Mahaffey is averaging 9.1 points on 63.5% shooting from the floor, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.4 minutes.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Omer Mayer (17) fakes out Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.Akron point guard Tavari Johnson, who scored 23 points against Bucknell, said he is amused by how similar the Mahaffey brothers are as players. Their contributions have been vital to UA's strong start this season.
“They've been great, right?” Akron coach John Groce said. “They're a big part of what we do. They're athletic. They're long. They're instinctive. They can cut. They can pass. They can play inside and outside. They're very versatile.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“They’ve got high work ethic, high care factor and then they're just great dudes. I mean, great people. I wish we had Evan more than 10 months, but we're blessed to have him for the time that we do. Eric's now in his second year with us and obviously has grown by leaps and bounds.”
Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) drives past Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.Akron won the MAC Tournament title and advanced to March Madness in each of the past two seasons. The Zips have not been shy about stating a three-peat is on their minds, and Eric Mahaffey reiterated the goal. Evan Mahaffey played in two NCAA tourney games in 2023 — Penn State’s win over Texas A&M and loss to Texas — and he said he’s “been itching” to return.
If the Mahaffey brothers get their way, they’ll be dancing with the Zips in March.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It's cool to see two brothers and see them enjoy their college careers together,” Johnson said. “It’s something special.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: With Akron Zips basketball, Mahaffey brothers become teammates
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