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College Basketball Transfer Portal: Expanded Top 75 Rankings for 2023 – 247Sports
It’s been a busy week in the college basketball world. While many focused their attention on the Final Four, the transfer portal absolutely popped off. Dating back to the opening day of the season when practices began, the portal is nearing 3,000 names, including some majors stars of the sport.
After watching more film, gathering more information and the latest additions to the portal, we have refreshed and expanded the 247Sports Transfer Player Rankings to a Top 75 in this 3.0 version. There’s a ton of activity within this update: A new No. 1, plus seven new additions to the Top 20 and an expansion of 25 players to the rankings cut-line. The portal window doesn’t close until May, so there’s no doubt we’ll have a few more updates a head of us, though it does feel like we’re reaching the peak of portal entries. Up next? It’s time for these players to make commitments. Only two players within the top-20 are committed!
Stay locked in with 247Sports’ transfer portal database, where we’re adding rankings and ratings in real-time in.
Ratings are in parenthesis: 100-98 denotes a 5-star, 97-90 is a 4-star and 89-80 denotes a 3-star.
Stats: 18.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Hunter Dickinson rocked college basketball when he decided to leave Michigan and put his name in the portal. He has been one of the best bigs not only in the Big Ten but in the entire country the last three seasons. He possesses great size and outstanding touch around the rim, making for a premier low-block scorer.
However, Dickinson is not the most mobile of athletes or best of defenders so going to the right fit will be important. Whoever lands him, assuming a few other additions are also in tow, will have the inside track to No. 1 in the 2023 Transfer Portal Team Rankings.
Stats: 6.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.3 BPG
Kel’el Ware is supremely talented and despite having a rocky season for the Ducks, he is only a freshman with immense potential. He’s a seven-footer with great length and fluidity to couple with a tantalizing amount of skill.
He can switch on the perimeter, protect the rim at a high level and score in a variety of ways when his motor is kicked into full gear. Ware will be sought after by all the top programs in the country and could be one of the most impactful players in all of college basketball and play his way into the 2024 NBA Draft lottery.
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG
Taran Armstrong entered the 2022-23 season on the Draftables list and while his season didn’t live up to expectations, there is a lot to be excited about what he can do when surrounded by better players.
He is a 6-foot-5 point guard with speed, wiggle, high IQ and impacts the game as a playmaker, facilitator, he can make shots off the catch and pull and score out of ball-screens.
Armstrong arguably has the highest floor in this transfer class so far and is going to be an instant impact and starter wherever he goes next season.
Schools currently in the mix with Armstrong include Rutgers, West Virginia, Xavier, LSU, Gonzaga, Washington, Memphis and Oklahoma.
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.1 APG
JJ Starling entered the season as a projected first-round pick, exiting high school as a five-star prospect. Reasons for Starling being rated so high were due to his blend of size, athleticism and his ability to score the ball (particularly as a shooter) with upside as a playmaker.
However, from the moment of his first game with the Fighting Irish, it was clear that Starling’s jumper was not the same as it was just a few short months prior.
Overall, it was a rocky season for Starling and the regression in his jumpshot (29-percent from three) has resulted in his floor as an impact scorer falling a bit but he has tremendous upside and if he finds his rhythm and mechanics again, he could easily make the jump up to No. 1 when we look back in a year.
Stats: 15.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.0 APG
The best shooter in the portal is Baylor transfer LJ Cryer. For three years, Cryer has played in Waco. He was a reserve on the 2020-21 national championship team but made a big winning impact the last two seasons, contributing to a total of 50 wins.
As he told 247Sports’ Brandon Jenkins, Cryer wants to prove himself more than just being a shooter and play the point at his next stop.
While he is better-suited as a scorer and floor-spacer, Cryer is undoubtedly going to be a valuable addition with his proven experience and shot-making at the highest level of college basketball.
Stats: 20.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG
If the name rings a bell, it should: Jameer Nelson Jr. is the son of former NBA player Jameer Nelson and like his father, junior has a whole lot of game. A recent TCU commit, Nelson Jr. will be taking that game to Fort Worth.
He may lack height but he is strong and highly athletic with an explosive first step and burst of speed. He’s very dynamic with the ball in his hands, making for a major weapon out of ball-screens and in isolations where he can get downhill and finish at the rim or create with others.
If Nelson Jr. had better shooters around him this season, with his playmaking ability, his assist numbers would have been much higher and with him expected to make a leap next year to a high major program, I’d anticipate us seeing that happen.
Nelson Jr. is very talented and is going to make a major impact next season wherever he lands. If he elevates his jumper back up to the 36-percent we saw the season prior, it won’t be a surprise to see us start talking about him as a NBA Draft prospect.
Stats: 21.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.0 APG
Max Abmas was the darling of the 2021 NCAA Tournament paving the way for 15-seed Oral Roberts to the Sweet Sixteen via upsets of Ohio State and Florida.
He’s a speedy and aggressive guard with tons of range on his jumper. He’s a threat from anywhere on the floor anytime the ball is in his hands and it draws immense attention from the defense.
Abmas gets downhill, stretches the floor and gets those around him open looks.
One concern with Abmas lies in his size, standing sub six-foot and having averaged just 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and four-assists, shooting a total of 5-28 from the field, 3-18 from three in his two games against high-major teams this season (Duke and Houston).
Stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.2 APG
Brandon Murray was one of the top players in the portal last off-season but headed to Georgetown under Patrick Ewing where he wasn’t able to show his full capabilities.
As a freshman at LSU, Murray showed how he can impact winning in a variety of ways through his ability to score, rebound, defend and facilitate.
If Murray goes to the right situation, he can tap back into his potential and prove his ability to impact winning at the highest levels of college basketball and has potential to start generating some NBA buzz.
Stats: 20.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.8 APG
You probably haven’t heard of Dalton Knecht but I’d 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.
Stats: 16.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
Caleb Love is the biggest name in the portal. He’s a former five-star recruit and the darling of the magical North Carolina March run in 2022.
Despite the numbers, it was a rocky season for Love and the Tar Heels. His shot selection and percentages regressed as the season went on which is the primary reason he finds himself slotted here in these rankings.
Love is still highly talented and can really score the basketball when his shot is falling and it was clear he needed a fresh start at a new home. If Love finds the right situation and makes a jump in his plateaued development, he can find himself among the stars in college basketball.
Stats: 12.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.8 APG
Adrian ‘Ace’ Baldwin is one of the top point guards in the transfer portal. He’s tough, confident and aggressive with the bal, able to get downhill, he makes plays for others and also is able to put the ball in the hole.
He was a perfect pairing with Mike Rhoades at VCU and signs are pointing to Baldwin following Rhoades to Penn State next season.
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.8 APG
Khalif 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-percent of his 8.1 attempts a game this season.
Despite coming off the bench for Temple most of the year, Battle was still able to lead 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.
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
Graham Ike was set to have a monster season at Wyoming but missed the year due to injury. He’s got great size, he’s long and strong, inflicting bruises and damage inside the paint both on the glass and as a low-block scorer.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pounder is a throwback big man and one of the most coveted players in the portal.
Stats: 6.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.6 APG
The underwhelming numbers don’t paint a clear picture of Kadin Shedrick. When you dig deeper into his film, it’s clear how he impacts the win column.
The 6-foot-11 Shedrick has size and length, he’s mobile and smart, using his tools to his advantage to impact the game at a high level on the defensive end of the floor.
He’s aware of who he is as a player, buying into his role on defense and cleaning up around the rim on offense.
Stats: 10.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
Tramon Mark has been a valuable piece to Houston’s run over the last three years and now he is off to find a bigger role at a new school.
He’s a talented and versatile wing who has shown ability to play some on the ball coming out of high school.
Mark impacts the game in just about every way from defense to rebounding, slashing and creating but his biggest weakness lies in his long-ball. If Mark takes his jumper to the next level, he will find himself cracking future draft boards.
Stats: 20.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
Aaron Estrada is back-to-back CAA Conference Player of the Year coming out of Hofstra. The southpaw guard is a high-volume scorer with the ability to also create for others.
He can make shots off the catch and bounce and he operates out of ball-screens to score and create off the dribble. He’s been very productive each of the last two years and will be a valuable piece wherever he lands next.
Stats: 7.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.3 BPG
Micah Handlogten was one of the most efficient and effective freshmen in the country this season at Marshall. He’s got great size at 7-foot-1 and nice hands, good touch and can impacts the game as a rebounder and rim protector who fills his role as a rim-roller and low-post big man.
He also has some good bloodlines as his father, Ben, is a former NBA player for the Utah Jazz.
Stats: 15.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG
TJ Bamba is a 6-foot-5 wing who will be a nice piece to any high-major roster next season. He plays with a high motor and is an aggressive slasher on the offensive end with the ability to make shots from beyond the arc. Bamba’s not the most skilled but he has one- and two-dribble pull-ups and hits shots at an effective 37.2-percent rate from three, doing so on 4.8 attempts a game for the Cougars.
Stats: 11.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.5 APG
It was not the season Fardaws Aimaq had hoped for, finding himself sidelined with injury and only getting to play in 11 games for the Red Raiders after transferring in.
Despite being unhealthy, Aimaq has shown that he is a starting five-man at just about anywhere in the country, landing him at No. 4 on this list.
He’s big and skilled and even though he doesn’t have much upside, he will be an impact player wherever he lands for his final year of college basketball.
Stats: 8.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
One of the hardest things about evaluating transfers is blending in the evaluation of both current impact and long-term impact. Amaree Abram falls into this challenging category as he wasn’t a major impact player in his freshman season on a bad Ole Miss team but there’s a lot of potential that could make him a big impact down the line.
He’s long, fast and plays with a motor on both ends of the floor. He can attack and create off the dribble, can get others involved and has potential to be an impact defender.
PLAYERS NOs. 21-75
21. Nicolas Timberlake, SG: From Towson (93)
Stats: 17.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG
Along with Jameer Nelson Jr. another standout player in the CAA ranks inside the top 30 of the transfer portal rankings is Towson’s Nicolas Timberlake.
He’s a strong, physical, confident and tough bucket-getter that will find himself starting at the power five level next year. He can create off the dribble, make shots from deep at a high rate and finish above the rim. This season, Timberlake connected on 41.6-percent of his 6.7 attempts a game.
22. Jayden Epps, SG: From Illinois (93)
Stats: 9.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.5 APG
Illinois suffered a blow with Jayden Epps entering the transfer portal. The freshman had carved out a nice role and had a promising future for the Illinini but is now off to make an impact somewhere else.
He is an aggressive and talented scorer that can play on the ball but is wired to put the ball in the basket.
With three years to play, Epps will be a valuable player wherever he lands and be notching double-digit point averages starting next season.
23. Jamison Battle, PF/SF: Committed to Ohio State; From Minnesota (93)
Stats: 12.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 APG
Jamison Battle made his way to Minnesota by route of the transfer portal from George Washington. He had a big impact in his first season but season No. 2 with the Gophers saw some struggles.
He’s a stretch four-prospect who can make shots from three and score some off the dribble.
When healthy and in-shape, Battle can really impact the game by stretching the floor for his teammates and knocking down jumpers from beyond the arc. He entered the year on Adam Finkelstein’s Draftables list. We’re excited to see what he does at Ohio State.
24. Jordan Minor, C: From Merrimack (93)
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.6 BPG
Jordan Minor may lack height but he plays bigger than he is with his strength, athleticism and high motor.
Minor is an impactful rebounder, rim-runner and rim-protector with an ample amount of skill to face his man up and attack him off the bounce.
He’s a physical presence and will be valuable for any high major program looking to make the NCAA Tournament next season.
25. Harrison Ingram, PF: From Stanford (93)
Stats: 10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.7 APG
Harrison Ingram is one of the handful of former McDonald’s All Americans currently in the portal. He’s a small ball four man who is at his best when operating as a glue guy with his ability to rebound, push the break and pass the basketball.
He’s not the best scorer nor has he developed his jumper but he can be a solid piece with his ability to impact the game in various ways wherever he lands.
26. Denver Jones, SG: From Florida International (93)
Stats: 20.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.0 APG
27. Kowacie Reeves, SF: From Florida (93)
Stats: 8.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.5 APG
28. Jaden Bradley, PG: From Alabama (93)
Stats: 6.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.1 APG
29. Joe Girard III, SG: From Syracuse (93)
Stats: 16.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
30. David Jones, SF: From St. John’s (93)
Stats: 13.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG
31. Jalen Cook, PG: From Tulane (93)
Stats: 19.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.9 APG
32. Kerr Kriisa, PG: Committed to West Virginia, From Arizona (93)
Stats: 9.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 5.1 APG
33. Keyon Menifield, PG: Committed to Arkansas, From Washington (93)
Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.1 APG
34. RJ Luis, SG: From UMass (93)
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
35. Javian McCollum, PG: From Siena (93)
Stats: 15.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.9 APG
36. Ben Krikke, PF: From Valparaiso (93)
Stats: 19.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG
37. Isaac Traudt, PF: Committed to Creighton, From Virginia (93)
Redshirted the 2022-23 season
38. Hakim Hart, PF: From Maryland (92)
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.6 APG
39. Jalen Hill, PF/SF: From Oklahoma (92)
Stats: 9.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 APG
40. Olivier Nkamhoua, PF: From Tennessee (92)
Stats: 10.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
41. Tylor Perry, PG: From North Texas (92)
Stats: 17.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG
42. Damian Dunn, SG: From Temple (92)
Stats: 15.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG
43. Mike Mitchell, PG: Committed to Minnesota, From Pepperdine (92)
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.0 APG
44. Kario Oquendo, SF: From Georgia (92)
Stats: 12.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.6 APG
45. Chris Ledlum, PF: From Harvard (92)
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 APG
46. Jordan Wright, PF/SF: Committed to LSU, From Vanderbilt (92)
Stats: 10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 APG
47. Walter Clayton Jr., PG: From Iona (91)
Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.2 APG
48. Jared Bynum, PG: From Providence (92)
Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.3 APG
49. Yohan Traore, C/PF: From Auburn (92)
Stats: 2.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.2 APG
50. Jonathan Beagle, PF: From Albany (92)
Stats: 12.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.1 APG
51. Chance Westry, CG: From Auburn (92)
Stats: 2.5 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 1.0 APG
52. John Hugley, C: From Pittsburgh (92)
Stats: 8.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.8 APG
53. Austin Nunez, CG: From Arizona State (92)
Stats: 4.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 0.9 APG
54. Skyy Clark, PG: Committed to Louisville, From Illinois (92)
Stats: 7.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 APG
55. Reese Dixon-Waters, SF: From USC (91)
Stats: 9.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG
56. Darrion Williams, SF: From Nevada (91)
Stats: 7.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 APG
57. Rienk Mast, C: From Bradley (91)
Stats: 13.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.2 APG
58. Brice Williams, SF: From Charlotte (91)
Stats: 13.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.2 APG
59. Ugonna Onyenso, C: From Kentucky (91)
Stats: 2.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.1 APG
60. Andrew Rohde, SF: From St. Thomas (91)
Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.6 APG
61. Jackson Peveletzke, PG: From Wofford (91)
Stats: 15.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
62. AJ Storr, SF: From St. John’s (91)
Stats: 8.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.8 APG
63. Will Baker, C: From Nevada (91)
Stats: 13.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.8 APG
64. Zach Hicks, SF: From Temple (91)
Stats: 9.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.6 APG
65. Tamar Bates, SF: From Indiana (91)
Stats: 6.1 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
66. Lazar Stefanovic, SF: From Utah (91)
Stats: 10.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.7 APG
67. Keshon Gilbert, SG: From UNLV (91)
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.2 APG
68. BJ Mack, C: From Wofford (91)
Stats: 16.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
69. Caleb Mills, SG: From Florida State (91)
Stats: 13.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG
70. Cobe Williams, PG: Committed to Tulsa, From Louisiana Tech (90)
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.1 APG
71. Jaykwon Walton, SF: Committed to Alabama, From Wichita State (90)
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
72. DJ Horne, PG: From Arizona State (90)
Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
73. Javon Small, PG: From East Carolina (90)
Stats: 15.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.6 APG
74. Primo Spears, PG: From Georgetown (90)
Stats: 16.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.3 APG
75. Jalen DeLoach, PF: From VCU (90)
Stats: 9.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.0 APG
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