The transfer portal is an evolving factor in college basketball recruiting. Though there are some very mixed opinions regarding the portal’s impact, it remains an elite route that programs can take to rebuild a squad.
Here are some of the most intriguing transfers who have already entered their names in the portal, as of April 3rd, because of course, more and more will come every day.
LSU’s entire 2021-22 roster
LSU fired head coach Will Wade after numerous NCAA violations haunted the program. By now, actually, all of LSU’s scholarship players from last season have now entered the portal.
12 players are the record for most lost players due to the transfer portal, and it may never be broken.
The list of players includes former five-star center Efton Reid, forwards Mwani Wilkinson, Alex Fudge, and Shareef O’Neal, and guards Eric Gaines, Brandon Murray, Theo Pinson, Justice Williams, and Adam Miller.
All of these players can be contributors to top programs so it’ll be interesting to track if they all separate, or if a couple of them stick together and join the same school. The one positive thing for the Tigers is that they already have two incoming transfers: guards Justice Hill and Trae Hannibal. The pair played for newly-named LSU head coach Matt McMahon at Murray State, and they were dominant.
Indiana’s quartet
The Hoosiers finally made the tournament after a lengthy absence in Mike Woodson’s first year. But, they were hammered in the first round by a much more disciplined and experienced St. Mary’s team.
Four of Indiana’s roster have already entered the transfer portal, deciding that one year under Woodson was enough. This includes once highly-touted point guard Khristian Lander, who saw very little playing time under Woodson, second-time transfer and three-point specialist Parker Stewart, and longtime Hoosier guard Rob Phinisee.
Center Michael Durr, after inconsistent minutes and showing some real promise has decided to transfer as well. All four could be intriguing pieces for a contender to go after.
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Transferring from Texas Tech)
Shannon has shown some real talent over the last couple of years in Lubbock, Texas. But the injuries got the best of him, leading to a disappointing and overall inconsistent season where Shannon averaged just 10 points.
Regardless, TJ was still one of the best guards in the country at his best and when healthy, and he’ll be at the top of every transfer portal rankings, no matter who else enters their name into the portal.
A once-projected first-round pick, he’ll be looking to find a home where he can recreate his most magical moments.
Fardaws Aimaq (Transferring from Utah Valley)
Though Aimaq intends on testing the NBA waters, it’s unlikely he receives the feedback from the scouts that now would be the best time to enter the NBA draft.
Aimaq is a dominant post player at almost seven-foot-tall and 240 lbs. He averaged 19pts and over 13 rebounds a game last season, and the major conference programs will all be taking a look at him.
If any program sees itself as being a center away from contending, Aimaq will be a perfect under-the-radar fit, and he’ll make a huge difference.
KJ Williams (Transferring from Murray State)
The best player on a three-loss team last season, Williams is an imposing offensive big man. After Murray State’s head coach took the LSU job, Williams entered the portal.
The option remains open for him to join a couple of his teammates, and his old coach in Baton Rouge, but the 18 ppg-scorer will have a multitude of options to choose from.
Andre Curbelo (Transferring from Illinois)
He struggled a lot this season and was forced into coming off the bench once he got his injury sort of fixed up. The nagging neck injury on top of the other knicks he got all over his body took a toll on Curbelo’s consistency.
Regardless, he’s one of the most electric and flashy passers in the NCAA and he can control an offense like no one else.
If he fixes his shooting and his boneheaded turnover issues, Curbelo could be a Final Four-worthy point guard.
Devin Carter (Transferring from South Carolina)
The Gamecocks program is in shambles, and nothing represents that better than their most promising player deciding to leave. Carter, as a freshman put up almost double-digit scoring numbers, and though he may be a project, whoever acquires him will have a future star.
Jaelin Llewellyn (Transferring from Princeton)
Princeton didn’t get the chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament this past season despite their incredible successes because of their loss to Yale in the Ivy League Championship game. This hurt Llewellyn, and he’s looking to go somewhere that he has the opportunity to play deep into March. He averaged 16 a game for the Tigers, and he’s a big shooter that can stretch the floor.
Llewellyn will go somewhere big and be a stretch-the-floor type of player for a top program.
Manny Bates (Transferring from NC State)
He missed pretty much the whole season with injury this year, but Bates was once the most feared shot-blocker in the whole ACC. Whoever needs a paint defender as either a starter or a backup, similar to a Myles Johnson (UCLA)-type role, Bates is that guy.
West Virginia duo
Forward Jalen Bridges entered his name was immediately received a ton of interest from the Spartans of Michigan State. He’s an athletic player that has a do-it-all type of game. Wherever he goes, he’ll contribute.
Sean McNeil also entered the transfer portal. He’s one of the best shooters in the country from everywhere on the court, and now that he’s learned to be more of a leader on offense, he’s a dangerous transfer for either a mid-major looking for a star or a power program looking for some added scoring threats.
And More…
This list could go on and on, so instead of talking about all of them, let’s list some more intriguing players and where they’re transferring from
Jaiden Delaire: StanfordJoe Bamisile: George Washington
Will Richard: Belmont
Tanner Holden: Wright State (committed to Ohio State)
Keeshawn Barthelemy: Colorado
Samuel Williamson: Louisville
Desmond Cambridge: Nevada (committed to Arizona State)
Terry Roberts: Bradley
Mark Sears: Ohio
Courtney Ramey: Texas
Nijel Pack: Kansas State
Jalin Billingsley: Georgetown
Eli Parquet: Colorado
Noah Taitz: Stanford
Victor Bailey: Tennessee (committed to George Mason)
Bryce Golden: Butler
Ethan Anderson: USC
Bubba Parham: Georgia Tech
Ithiel Horton: Pittsburgh
Javon Pickett: Missouri
Grant Basile: Wright State
Nick Honor: Clemson
Sam Sessoms: Penn State
Isaiah Cottrell: West Virginia
Here’s a continuous, updated list of all the players who decide to transfer. Follow along!
