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College Basketball Transfer Portal: The top 10 small forwards – 247Sports
The college basketball transfer portal is slowing down with the spring window closed and most players coming off the board.
The small forward position is filled with talent and great athleticism in this year’s cycle.
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Using the 247Sports transfer portal rankings and analysis from our experts, these are the top 10 shooting guards who project to change the look of their new respective schools during the 2023-24 season.
Ranking: No. 6 overall
Analysis: “A 6-foot-8 rangy wing loaded with talent and an improving skillset, Julian Phillips’ pedigree and defensive chops are enticing. Despite having the fifth-highest usage rate and playing just 24.1 minutes per game at Tennessee, Phillips still had some flashes. He accepted doing the dirty work for Tennessee. His defensive impact was obvious, but his ferocious offensive rebounding is intriguing as well.”
— Travis Branham, 247Sports national recruiting analyst and Isaac Trotter, 247Sports national basketball writer
Ranking: No. 13 overall
Analysis: “You probably have not heard of Dalton Knecht, but I would recommend typing his name in on YouTube and checking out his film. He’s a 6-foot-6 versatile forward with a deep skills package.
“He can create and make shots both off the catch and dribble and rebounds well for the position. He’s already on NBA radar and will be a very valuable asset to a high-major program next season with his shot-making and ability to create by attacking closeouts.”
— Branham
Ranking: No. 25 overall
Analysis: “A former McDonald’s All-American and five-star prospect who was the Pac-12 freshman of the year in 2021-22, Harrison Ingram is the headliner of North Carolina’s four-man portal group. He can play at the three or the four and will give North Carolina a guy they can run offense through in the high post. If he knocks down shots, he will be a huge difference maker.”
— Eric Bossi, 247Sports national basketball director
Ranking: No. 29 overall
Analysis: “Hakim Hart shined last season totaling 11.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals this past season. The 6-foot-8, 205-pound wing shot 33.3% from 3-point range and 80.4% from the charity stripe. Hart ranked fourth in the Big Ten in steals (1.5 per game) in 2021-22.
“His addition gives Villanova one of the nation’s top collections of wings who can provide as an open shooter and playmaker off ball screens.”
— Trotter
Ranking: No. 33 overall
Analysis: “A top-50 player coming out of high school, Tre White showed some flashes of being a great college player during his freshman season. Now he heads to a new program where Kenny Payne and his staff will be looking to make the most of White’s versatility.
“At 6-foot-8, White can play as a small ball four man or as a big wing. His shooting numbers from deep weren’t great as a freshman, but the stroke looks good. It’s a safe bet that he improves from 3 in Season 2. White is physically ready for the ACC and despite only averaging one assist per game as a freshman, he’s actually a guy who can be used to initiate some offense and make plays for others. If that potential as a playmaker can be tapped into, he’ll make a major difference.”
— Bossi
Ranking: No. 34 overall
Analysis: “A 6-foot-8 forward with NBA lottery potential, Mike Sharavjamts is the first Mongolian citizen to play Division I men’s basketball. NBA scouts are intrigued by what he brings to the table.
“Long-term, his perimeter size, skill, and most especially his feel for the game, give him a rare combination of tools. He is an outstanding passer with floor vision, court instincts, and understanding of the game to match. He thinks the game almost like a throwback point guard and yet he has the size of a big wing once he fills out his frame.”
— Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports director of scouting and Brandon Jenkins, 247Sports national recruiting analyst
Ranking: No. 36 overall
Analysis: “A former top-100 recruit played for two years at Washington before transferring to Montana State, RaeQuan Battle possesses elite bounce and athleticism. He shot 73.2% at the rim and 35.3% from 3-point range, and Battle shot 144 free throws last season.
“He most notably opened eyes in the NCAA Tournament when he blitzed Kansas State for 27 points on an efficient 9-of-17 shooting display. Now he will face the Wildcats an additional two times next season while suiting up for Bob Huggins and West Virginia in the Big 12.”
— Trotter
Ranking: No. 40 overall
Analysis: “Jamison Battle is a versatile forward who is best-suited playing a stretch-four role, spotted around the perimeter to knock down open jumpers and able to attack hard closeouts. Given his skill and IQ, however, he is capable of playing spurts at the three.
“This past preseason, Battle underwent surgery and didn’t find the same rhythm the season prior. When healthy, Battle had his best season at Minnesota averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and one-assist, shooting 36.6% from three as a junior.”
— Branham
Ranking: No. 44 overall
Analysis: “Jalen Hill never had a monster offensive workload at Oklahoma, but he operated as a connector and an elite multi-positional defender. The 6-foot-6, 218-pound forward averaged 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists during the 2022-23 season and expanded his range during that season as well.
“His best showing of the season came in the Sooners’ monster 93-69 upset win over then-No. 1 Alabama. Hill erupted for 26 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block. Hill helped force SEC Player of the Year Brandon Miller into a miserable 4-for-14 shooting performance.”
— Trotter
Ranking: No. 45 overall
Analysis: “An intriguing prospect headed to Georgia Tech, Kowacie Reeves has impressive physical tools with his size, length and athleticism and has show flashes of ability as being a shot-maker and high-level scorer.
“However, Reeves did not shoot the ball well this season and has to work on his feel for the game, but there is so much talent and ability here that he can make a major splash if he makes strides in his development.”
— Branham
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