The Rise of the Transfer Portal: Reranking the Top Men’s College Basketball Classes

The transfer portal has become a transformative force in men’s college basketball, offering a swift mechanism for teams to address immediate needs and for struggling programs to accelerate their rebuilding efforts. Once seen as a tool for individual player advancement, it has evolved into a strategic asset for program development, reshaping team dynamics and competitive landscapes. A look at the top transfer portal classes reveals how significantly teams can transform their rosters and immediate fortunes through strategic acquisitions.

Evaluating Preseason Projections

Approximately eight months prior to the current season, Kentucky and St. John's were heralded as frontrunners in leveraging the transfer portal, surpassing other active programs like USC and Indiana. Now, several months into the college basketball season, some of these initial forecasts have held firm, while others have seen significant alterations. With the NCAA Tournament approaching, it’s timely to reassess the top transfer portal classes and examine their impact on team performance.

Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Classes

Here's a revised ranking of the top 10 men’s college basketball transfer portal classes, reflecting their performance and impact on their respective teams:

1. Michigan Wolverines

Preseason Rank: No. 3 at ESPN, No. 2 at 247Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Elliott Cadeau
- Forward Yaxel Lendeborg
- Center Aday Mara

There’s little debate that Michigan now claims the top spot. Elliott Cadeau, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara constitute a significant portion of the Wolverines’ starting lineup, propelling the program to its first No. 1 overall ranking in the AP Top 25 since 2013. Notably, the Wolverines' three leading scorers are all transfers, underscoring the immediate impact of these additions. Michigan’s size-7' 3" center Mara, and 6' 9" forwards Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. comprise the frontcourt-and versatility-they’re the only team to rank in the top five in both Bart Torvik’s adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency-could give teams fits in March.

2. St. John's Red Storm

Preseason Rank: No. 1 at ESPN, No. 1 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Forward Dillon Mitchell
- Forward Bryce Hopkins
- Guard Oziyah Sellers
- Guard Ian Jackson
- Guard Joson Sanon

Rick Pitino’s transfer class is heavily imprinted on the Red Storm’s starting five, with four transfers playing pivotal roles. Dillon Mitchell has emerged as the team’s most versatile defender and a force on the boards, while Bryce Hopkins provides a valuable two-way presence alongside Zuby Ejiofor in the frontcourt. Guards Oziyah Sellers, Ian Jackson, and Joson Sanon have injected an offensive dynamism that was absent in the prior year. Last year’s Red Storm team flamed out in the second round of the NCAA tournament with a horrendous offensive showing in a loss to Arkansas. This year’s team has a more reliable offense. Hopkins gives Ejiofor a much-needed running mate in the frontcourt while guards Sellers, Jackson, Sonon and Dylan Darling have helped St. John’s become a much-improved three-point shooting team.

Read also: Ducks Roster Overhaul

3. Louisville Cardinals

Preseason Rank: No. 4 at ESPN, No. 3 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Ryan Conwell
- Guard Isaac McKneeley

Pat Kelsey’s strategic use of the transfer portal has yielded significant results. Last year’s Cardinals team knocked down 9.4 three-pointers per game (48th in the country) at a 32.8% clip (244th). This year’s squad, powered by sharpshooting transfers Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely, ranks fifth and 86th in those same categories.

4. Florida Gators

Preseason Rank: No. 5 at ESPN, No. 6 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Boogie Fland
- Guard Xaivian Lee

While the loss of transfer AJ Brown to a redshirt season due to injury impacts the class, the backcourt duo of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee has been exceptional. The Gators are loaded in the frontcourt but it’s the backcourt of transfers Fland and Lee, each of whom have scored in double figures and recorded at least one steal in five straight games (all Florida wins), that has talk of a repeat swirling around the Gators.

5. USC Trojans

Preseason Rank: No. 9 at ESPN, No. 7 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Forward Jacob Cofie
- Forward Ezra Ausar
- Center Gabe Dynes
- Guard Chad Baker-Mazara

Injuries to Rodney Rice and Amarion Dickerson have slightly hampered the Trojans, but Eric Musselman has successfully bolstered the team’s defensive capabilities with the additions of Jacob Cofie, Ezra Ausar, and Gabe Dynes. Chad Baker-Mazara is a key two-way player. The experienced Chad Baker-Mazara is one of the better two-way players in the nation. The result is a Trojans team that ranks 31st in adjusted defensive efficiency, a marked improvement over last year’s squad.

6. Indiana Hoosiers

Preseason Rank: No. 10 at ESPN, No. 10 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Lamar Wilkerson

Under the guidance of first-year coach Darian DeVries, the Hoosiers are on track to return to the NCAA tournament. This resurgence is largely attributed to the transfer portal class, spearheaded by guard Lamar Wilkerson, known for his exceptional shooting and scoring abilities. There are quicker, more athletic teams out there, but DeVries’s portal haul, which constitutes the bulk of the Hoosiers’ rotation, plays remarkably well together. Wilkerson’s game is made for the NCAA tournament. The Indiana guard has taken over multiple games this year, scoring 32 points in a narrow January loss to Nebraska and 41 points in a Feb. 9 win over Oregon. It’s not hard to envision Wilkerson taking over and leading the Hoosiers on a run come March.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

Preseason Rank: No. 10 at ESPN, No. 8 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Bennett Stirtz
- Guard Isaia Howard

First-year coach Ben McCollum brought six players from a Drake team that stunned last year’s sixth seed Missouri in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Stirtz has picked up right where he left off, simultaneously raising the ceiling of this Iowa team and his NBA draft stock. One of McCollum’s sneakiest additions? Guard Isaia Howard, who leads the team in steals per game and defensive box plus/minus.

8. NC State Wolfpack

Preseason Rank: No. 13 at ESPN, No. 14 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Forward Darrion Williams
- Guard Tre Holloman
- Forward Ven-Allen Lubin

First-year coach Will Wade aggressively utilized the transfer portal, yielding positive outcomes. Forward Darrion Williams has emerged as a star, while Tre Holloman and Ven-Allen Lubin have become integral starters, bringing valuable tournament experience. The Wolfpack rank 30th in Bart Torvik’s power rating.

9. Auburn Tigers

Preseason Rank: No. 12 at ESPN, No. 9 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Forward Keyshawn Hall
- Guard Kevin Overton
- Forward KyShawn Murphy

Former Tigers coach Bruce Pearl constructed last year’s Auburn team, which made it to the Final Four, largely with transfers. Like father, like son, as Steven Pearl has done the same in his first season as head coach on The Plains. UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, disciplinary issues aside, has thrived in the SEC and has been one of the most efficient scorers in the country, shooting at a near 50/40/90 clip. Meanwhile, guard Kevin Overton has provided valuable defense and the ability to spell Tahaad Pettiford at point guard. Mississippi State transfer KyShawn Murphy has been the Tigers’ best rebounder.

10. Kentucky Wildcats

Preseason Rank: No. 2 at ESPN, No. 5 at 247 Sports
Key Transfers:
- Guard Denzel Aberdeen

Despite initial excitement, Kentucky’s transfer portal class has faced challenges. Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe sustained a season-ending injury, and Jayden Quaintaince and Kam Williams have also been sidelined. Guard Denzel Aberdeen has been a notable performer. Kentucky’s transfer portal class generated considerable buzz, but things haven't exactly gone according to plan. Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe flashed in nine games for the Wildcats, but underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in January. Fellow transfers Jayden Quaintaince, who hasn’t played since Jan. 7 due to a troublesome knee, and Kam Williams, who broke his foot in January, have also been plagued by injuries. Guard Denzel Aberdeen, the team’s second-leading scorer, has been one of the bright spots.

Impact on the NCAA Tournament

Several teams with strong transfer portal classes are poised to make significant impacts in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan Wolverines: Michigan’s size-7' 3" center Mara, and 6' 9" forwards Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. comprise the frontcourt-and versatility-they’re the only team to rank in the top five in both Bart Torvik’s adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency-could give teams fits in March.
St. John’s Red Storm: This year’s team has a more reliable offense. Hopkins gives Ejiofor a much-needed running mate in the frontcourt while guards Sellers, Jackson, Sonon and Dylan Darling have helped St. John’s become a much-improved three-point shooting team.
Florida Gators: The Gators are loaded in the frontcourt but it’s the backcourt of transfers Fland and Lee, each of whom have scored in double figures and recorded at least one steal in five straight games (all Florida wins), that has talk of a repeat swirling around the Gators.
Indiana Hoosiers: Wilkerson’s game is made for the NCAA tournament. The Indiana guard has taken over multiple games this year, scoring 32 points in a narrow January loss to Nebraska and 41 points in a Feb. 9 win over Oregon. It’s not hard to envision Wilkerson taking over and leading the Hoosiers on a run come March.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

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