College basketball transfer portal's 20 impact players for 2023, via CBS Sports – 247Sports

College basketball’s transfer portal is jam-packed with quality talent in the 2023 recruiting cycle, including a wealth of recent additions coveted by many of the nation’s top programs. CBS Sports’ David Cobb ranked the top 20 most impactful players available this week, which is subject to change quickly given the influx of athletes in recent days.
The transfer portal’s best available players is highlighted by a couple multi-year starters looking for a fresh start elsewhere, including elite scorers, talented big men and backcourt sensations from mid-majors anxious for opportunity. There’s even a couple former five-stars on the open market, making the next few weeks of visits and conversations extremely important for coaching staffs hoping to land talent.
In the first year of the portal windows, the college basketball transfer portal began earlier this month and runs until May 11.
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Here’s a look at the 20 most impactful players available in the portal, according to CBS Sports, and our analysis on each.
CBS Sports: “Ware played just 15.8 minutes per game as a freshman at Oregon after ranking as the No. 7 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports. The seven-footer blocked 1.3 shots per game in that limited action, though, and was effective offensively inside the arc. He also showed some signs of a potential as a 3-point shooter.”
247Sports’ Take: As Isaac Trotter notes, Ware made efficient use of his time on the floor posting 16.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 1.3 assists per 40-minutes. Ware is an outstanding talent boasting tremendous size, length and fluid athleticism to couple with tantalizing skill. Ware flashed his ability to guard all five positions, create his own bucket in the mid-and low-post on top of becoming a capable 3-point shooter.
CBS Sports: “Aside from his perimeter shooting, Kriisa is limited offensively, and he’s not a plus defender. But in total, he’s a proven, veteran point guard whose experience and fearlessness will be highly sought in the portal.”
247Sports’ Take: Kriisa averaged 9.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game this season for an Arizona team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Kriisa led the Pac-12 in assists and is one of the top pure point guards in the transfer portal. Kriisa is the No. 19-rated player in the transfer portal on 247Sports. Bob Huggins and West Virginia hosted Kriisa for a visit this past weekend, while Nebraska also entered the mix with a visit Tuesday. Sean Miller and Xavier are expected to be a major suitor for Kriisa — Miller, of course, recruited and coached Kriisa during his tenure at Arizona.
CBS Sports: “Wheeler finished first or second in the SEC in assists each of the past three seasons, initially at Georgia and then at Kentucky for the past two seasons.”
247Sports’ Take: Wheeler, who started 14 of 21 games he appeared in this season, averaged 7.7 points, 5.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game. He led the SEC with 6.9 assists per game in 2021-22 and was a second-team All-SEC selection. Wheeler was also named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, an award provided to the nation’s best point guard.
CBS Sports: “Love is a former five-star prospect and McDonalds All-American who helped spark North Carolina’s stunning Final Four run in 2022. But he’s just a career 36% shooter from the floor and made only 29.9% of his 3-point attempts on a whopping 7.4 tries per game this past season.”
247Sports’ Take: Love led the Tar Heels in scoring with 16.7 points per game this season, but struggled at times as a volume shooter as UNC missed postseason play under second-year head coach Hubert Davis. Instrumental in the Tar Heels’ run to the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game last season, Love averaged 15.9 points per game as sophomore and was lights out in March as one of the hottest scorers on the planet. He shot 36% from 3-point range and was a slasher of sorts, getting to the rim when he wanted.
CBS Sports: “Clark played in 13 games for Illinois, starting 12, before announcing in January that he was stepping away from the program for personal reasons.”
247Sports’ Take: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard had 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and four turnovers in Illinois’ big win over UCLA in mid-November. He splashed three 3-pointers and totaled 19 points in a romp over Lindenwood. However, a sky-high turnover rate (27.6%) and some defensive breakdowns in Illinois’ switch-everything scheme led to some early-season hiccups.
CBS Sports: “Jones finished second in Conference USA in scoring at 20.1 points per game during his sophomore season on 37.1% 3-point shooting, 55.2% 2-point shooting and 84.5% free-throw shooting.”
247Sports’ Take: Here’s an elite scorer coming from a mid-major destined for greatness in a bigger spotlight. He’s already set up visits to Arkansas and Alabama. Jones is also reportedly intrigued by Oklahoma. Much of his production comes off the bounce and his style of play is similar to UNC’s Love, but more efficient.
CBS Sports: “Starling averaged 11.2 points per game as a freshman at Notre Dame after ranking as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2022. The 6-4 guard will be staying in the ACC as he heads to Syracuse where he will play a major role under first-year coach Adrian Autry.”
247Sports’ Take: As Cuse Nation notes, Starling is a player who can come in and contribute at a high level right away for the Orange. Starling was named to the ACC All-Freshman team along with Syracuse’s Judah Mintz. Now, Syracuse fans will have to wait and see if Mintz will return and join Starling in the backcourt.
CBS Sports: “Girard quietly proved to be one of the sport’s best volume 3-point shooters during four years at Syracuse.”
247Sports’ Take: Trotter writes of Girard, “Girard’s best two assets are his experience (123 career starts) and his clip (297 career 3-pointers). Girard shot 38.1% from 3-point range last season on 7.2 attempts per game. He shot over 40% from downtown in 2021-22. Girard graded out in the 48th percentile nationally in catch-and-shoot jumpers last season, per Synergy. But he is one of the elite off-the-bounce shooters (42.3%, 91st percentile). Girard was in the 8th percentile in catch-and-shoots and 85th percentile in off-the-bounce jumpers in 2021-22.”
CBS Sports: “Bamba led Washington State in scoring at 15.8 points per game as a junior and should have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-5 guard didn’t play particularly well against the Pac 12’s best teams this past season but is a career 38.5% 3-point shooter.“
247Sports’ Take: Bamba could be an NBA Draft casualty if things go well on the pre-draft circuit, but he’s expected to be back in the college ranks for at least one more season. He’s a long and rangy guard whose best basketball appears to be ahead of him given his skill set.
CBS Sports: “Battle is a 6-7 forward who averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds on 36.6% 3-point shooting in 2021-22 for Minnesota. But his shooting percentage and overall production dropped this past season as the Gophers continued to struggle.”
247Sports’ Take: According to Peegs.com, Indiana (among others) is in the mix for Battle. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 12.4 points, shot 31.1 percent from 3-point range and averaged 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists. During his career, Battle has averaged 14.4 points and shot 35.0 percent from 3-point range in 103 games. He spent the last two years with the Golden Gophers. The Hoosiers previously looked at Battle when he transferred from George Washington after the 2020-21 season.
CBS Sports: “Battle ranked fourth in the AAC in scoring at 17.9 points per game for Temple in his fourth season of college basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard has struggled with injuries during his career but has proven to be a dynamic and explosive offensive player when healthy.”
247Sports’ Take: According to 247Sports’ Travis Branham, Battle is arguably the best bucket-getter in the transfer portal right now. He averaged 17.9 points a game and inflicts his damage at all three levels but particularly the three-point line where he drilled 35% of his 8.1 attempts a game this season. Despite a bench role for Temple most of the year, Battle still led the team in scoring. On 13 occasions, Battle scored more than 20 points this season in 27 games played and his bucket-getting will be a useful tool for whoever lands him next year.
CBS Sports: “Aimaq is the former WAC Player of the Year at Utah Valley who transferred to Texas Tech last season but played in just 11 games because of injuries.”
247Sports’ Take: The portal’s top big man available, the 6-foot-11, 245-pound center out of Utah Valley averaged 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks a game this past season, ranking second in the country in double-doubles totaling 27. Aimaq began his career at Mercer before transferring to Utah Valley in 2019, prior to the new NCAA transfer policies. Aimaq already received interest from a number of high-profile programs including Gonzaga, Texas, Arkansas and Miami.
CBS Sports: “Assessing Murray’s performance at Georgetown is tough since the Hoyas were just 7-25 (2-18 Big East) in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 13.7 points per game but made just 31.8% of his 3-pointers.”
247Sports’ Take: It’s difficult to be at full attention when your team is struggling, but Murray was one of the lone bright spots for the Hoyas this season during Patrick Ewing’s final campaign as coach. He was a consistent player, though his jump-shooting lacked at times. He’s talented and should have a bounce-back year in 2023-24.
CBS Sports: “Bynum is an undersized but battle-tested guard after playing heavy minutes at Providence the last three years. He’s just a career 33% 3-point shooter but averaged 4.3 assists this past season against just 1.6 turnovers.”
247Sports’ Take: Bynum entered the transfer portal just days after his team’s season ended with a first-round loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, Jeff Borzello reported. Bynum averaged 10 points and 4.3 assists this season, and averaged 12.2 points and four assists a season prior. The transfer news comes amid Georgetown hiring Providence coach Ed Cooley for its vacant head coaching position. The Hoyas are expected to be in pursuit of Bynum with the Cooley hire.
CBS Sports: “Ike led a 25-9 Wyoming team in scoring and rebounding during the 2021-22 season with 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds before missing the 2022-23 season due to injury. “
247Sports’ Take: Physical, highly-skilled and unafraid to go at the opposition’s best at the defensive end of the floor, Ike has a little bit of everything at full strength. He’s coming off a redshirt year following an injury, so there’s an obvious hope he returns to form during the 2023-24 campaign.
CBS Sports: “Mast averaged 13.8 points, eight rebounds and 2.4 assists for a Bradley squad that won the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title before falling one game short of reaching the NCAA Tournament.”
247Sports’ Take: Mast is not afraid of taking big shots and was a two-way player for Bradley this season at both ends of the floor. He’ll likely start on the frontline at his next stop and should receive plenty of interest given his versatility.
CBS Sports: “Fernandes made 45.2% of his 3-pointers and 50% of his 2-pointers while averaging 4.1 assists in 11 games for UMass before injuries ended his 2022-23 season.“
247Sports’ Take: At full strength, Fernandes is deadly from the outside and has chance to add immediate scoring punch to an already potent lineup next season as a secondary scoring threat. Sharpshooters don’t grow on trees and Fernandes’ skill from the outside stands out among other guards currently in the portal.
CBS Sports: “Clayton won MAAC Player of the Year while leading Iona in scoring and helping the Gaels to an NCAA Tournament appearance as a sophomore.”
247Sports’ Take: How often does a mid-major conference player of the year enter the portal? He can do it all as an iso player off the dribble or distributor from his point guard position. Wherever Clayton lands, it’ll need to be on a team in need of backcourt help as a lead guard.
CBS Sports: “Brakefield averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Ole Miss this past season and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-8 forward began his career at Duke as a four-star prospect in 2020-21 and has a tantalizing combination of size and offensive skill.“
247Sports’ Take: Brakefield is one of two high-profile Rebels in the portal, joining Amaree Abram. Abram has a 94 transfer rating on 247Sports, making him one of the more highly-ranked players available. Abram says he has only heard from a “few” schools since entering the portal but the process still has kept him busy. Abram says Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Ole Miss, and SMU are the programs he hears from the most. Houston and Louisiana Tech are two schools that have reached out recently.
(Editor’s note: Brakefield announced Wednesday afternoon that he would withdraw his name from the transfer portal and remain at Ole Miss.)
CBS Sports: “Somewhere inside the 6-8, 230-pound frame of Withers is an excellent college basketball player and maybe even an NBA prospect. The former four-star prospect earned ACC All-Freshman honors in 2020-21 for a respectable Cardinals’ squad before regressing offensively over the past two seasons amid chaos within the program.“
247Sports’ Take: Here’s a high-energy player in need of a chance to shine as a secondary offensive piece within the frontcourt of a better team. With more talent around him, Withers could truly shine and get back to the form he showed as a freshman a couple of years ago.
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