The college basketball transfer portal deadline passed on May 1, and despite numerous uncommitted prospects, several teams have already revamped their rosters successfully this offseason. Notably, Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina, all preseason top 25 teams, have made significant changes. Additionally, teams like Arkansas and Kentucky have entered the spotlight with notable transfers.
Seventeen transfer prospects from the top 100 rankings are still seeking teams, and with anticipated movement in the coming weeks, more teams could join the list. The 2024 transfer cycle saw over 1,900 players entering the portal, including the last round of super COVID seniors, making it unlikely to surpass the record number of entries set this year. Our final portal rankings, featuring a top 150 filled with impactful starters and future basketball stars, were recently unveiled.
Transfer Portal Class Ranking: No. 4
Darian DeVries had plenty of work to do after inheriting a 9-23 squad. He got to work early and has landed commitments from six transfers, highlighted by four-stars Javon Small and his son, Tucker DeVries. Small, the No. 9 prospect and No. 2 point guard, averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists at Oklahoma State last season and shot 44.1% from the floor and 37.4% from three. DeVries is an NBA talent. He’s 6-foot-7 and converted 36.3% of his three-point attempts despite being the focal point of opposing defenses. The Mountaineers are poised for a big rebound in 2024-25.
Transfer Portal Class Ranking: No. 17
Baylor went into the transfer portal as a top 10 contender and exit as a bona fide top-five team next season. The Bears had already signed the class of 2024’s top-ranked shooting guard and added former Duke star Jeremy Roach at the point, giving the Bears one of the top backcourts in the nation. Scott Drew also addressed thin numbers in the front court with Miami transfer Norchad Omier, the top-ranked power forward in the portal.
Transfer Portal Class Ranking: No. 3
St. John’s landed the top overall player in the portal, Kadary Richmond, after a huge year at Seton Hall, where he averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He’ll pair well with fellow transfer guard Devon Smith, the No. 13 overall prospect. Richmond is tall and long at 6-foot-5, while Smith, 5-foot-11, is among the class’s most explosive guards. On paper, this looks like Rick Pitino’s best backcourt in a decade. Four-star transfer Aaron Scott gives the team much-needed three-point shooting from the wing, while seven-foot center Vincent Iwuchukwu has plenty of untapped potential.
Transfer Portal Class Ranking: No. 2
Indiana lost three players to the transfer portal this offseason, but none found homes in the Power Four ranks. The Hoosiers have added the No. 2 class in the nation, headlined by former Arizona center Oumar Ballo, the No. 2 player in the portal. Top-ranked combo guard Kanaan Carlyle adds versatility to Mike Woodson’s backcourt and could push for starting minutes in a backcourt that returns Gabe Cupps and Trey Galloway. Four-star guards Luke Goode and Myles Rice add more depth to a Hoosiers backcourt that projects as one of the Big Ten’s best next season.
Transfer Portal Class Ranking: No. 1
Arkansas finished 16-17 under Eric Musselman last season. The good news for the Razorbacks is John Calipari came to town and brought his elite recruiting skills with him. Arkansas boasts the best class in the portal. It’s headlined by former FAU guard Johnell Davis, who should be among the early favorites for SEC Player of the Year next season. Four-star centers Jonas Aidoo and Zvonimir Ivisic and versatile small forward Adou Thiero round out the class. Calipari also brought over three top 25 high school recruits from Kentucky. There are a lot of new pieces in Fayetteville, and they may take time to gel, but Arkansas’ arrow is way up over the last month
