The past blue chip recruit would become a huge addition if Luke Loucks pulls off the portal addition.
Florida State basketball is aiming to attract new talent following a late season surge.
That now includes courting a former five-star talent who this week entered the transfer portal.
Shon Abaev exited Cincinnati when the portal officially opened Tuesday. He had been a massive get addition for the Big 12 Bearcats as a five-star recruit, per 247Sports Composite.
"Abaev is one of the most polished one-on-one scorers in the national class. A big southpaw wing, with good positional size and an increasingly strong body, he's a volume scorer who is capable of creating his own shot at virtually any time, including against a set half-court defense," Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports once wrote when evaluating the 2025 talent.
But he can fit in at Tallahassee for multiple reasons.
Versatile Scoring
The 6-foot-8 forward's game is tailored to attack downhill.
But he showed a knack for creating his shots too at both the prep level and college.
Abaev doesn't show discomfort in taking contested shots. It's clear he's used to contact anyway as a big.
But head coach Luke Loucks needs a versatile shooter after graduating a deep senior class. Abaev can set the tone in Tallahassee.
Where Abaev Can Improve
He developed a knack for becoming a ball-stopper at both levels.
He's not much of a passer but also takes too many contested shots. Abaev often shows too much belief in his shot selections.
But he wasn't the most consistent 3-point shooter either, hitting just 25.7 percent from 3-point land with the Bearcats. He also leaves Cincy shooting at 33.5 percent from field-goal range.
Loucks and the FSU staff can teach him to become more patient with his shooting selections while also trusting the other scoring options on the floor each night if he were to come over.
Abaev Highlights
He dropped 18 points against Western Carolina in his collegiate debut.
But Dayton showed how capable he is to score in double figures when needed. He delivered 14 points with three rebounds against the Flyers during the regular season.
Abaev then comfortably delivered 16 points against Xavier, showing he can hit double figures against a power conference team.
Can FSU Land Abaev?
Florida State is hosting him on a visit during the weekend of April 11.
He can immediately replace Chauncey Wiggins and Robert McCray V down low. The allure of returning home could coax him as well.
Abaev starred at Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale before choosing Cincinnati. He could come in and form a strong young tandem with returning Thomas Bassong.
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