Sports
College Basketball Transfer Portal: Expanded Top 50 Rankings for 2023 – 247Sports
The college basketball transfer portal is in full gear especially now as more and more high-major prospects come pouring through the gates.
This past week saw a major influx of impact players including Caleb Love, Jayden Epps and Kel’el Ware among many others, giving us no choice (or so our editors say) but to expand our rankings from the initial 25 to a top 50 today. Here is the updated and expanded list of 50, but don’t forget that we’re also adding rankings and ratings in real-time in the 247Sports database.
Ratings are in parenthesis: 100-98 denotes a 5-star, 97-90 is a 4-star and 89-80 denotes a 3-star.
Stats: 6.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.3 BPG
Kel’el Ware is easily the most talented player in this bunch 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 but it is still in the early stages of his recruitment.
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: 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.
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.
On the recruiting front, Nelson Jr. is playing his cards close to his vest and has not shared the schools involved yet.
Stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.2 APG
Brandon Murray was one of the top transfers in the 2022 cycle and with it being his second time transferring (from LSU a year ago), he will need a strong case for a waiver or be forced to sit out a year as coaching changes don’t qualify for waivers this time around.
Regardless, Murray is a highly talented and impactful guard, although Georgetown’s season wasn’t indicative of it. Murray can start anywhere in the country with his blend of size, strength, power, instincts and ability to impact the game as a scorer and playmaker. In the right situation, Murray can break out as a star and play himself onto NBA Draft Boards.
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: 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.
So far Battle has heard from Kansas, Arkansas, Louisville, LSU, USC, Memphis, Rhode Island, Arizona State, UCF, Florida State, Oregon, Arizona and Villanova.
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.
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 10 of transfers and that 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.
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.
Stats: 8.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.5 APG
Another intriguing prospect currently in the portal is Florida transfer Kowacie Reeves. He 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’s so much talent and ability here that he can make a major splash if he makes strides in his development.
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.
16. Jared Bynum, PG: From Providence (93)
Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.3 APG
17. Graham Ike, C: From Wyoming (93)
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
18. Jordan Minor, C: From Merrimack (93)
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
19. Denver Jones, SG: From Florida International (93)
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
20. Joe Girard, SG: From Syracuse (93)
Stats: 16.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
21. Kerr Kriisa, PG: From Arizona (93)
Stats: 9.9 PPG, 2.4 RPg, 5.1 APG
22. Ben Krikke, PF: From Valparaiso (93)
Stats: 19.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG
23. Isaac Traudt, PF: From Virginia (93)
Redshirted this season
24. Hakim Hart, SF: From Maryland (92)
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.6 APG
25. Kario Oquendo, SF: From Georgia (92)
Stats: 12.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.6 APG
26. Damian Dunn, SG: From Temple (92)
Stats: 15.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG
27. Mike Mitchell, PG: Committed to Minnesota; From Pepperdine (92)
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.0 APG
28. Chris Ledlum, PF: From Harvard (92)
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 APG
29. Jordan Wright, PF: From Vanderbilt (92)
Stats: 10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 APG
30. Yohan Traore, C: From Auburn (92)
Stats: 2.5 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 1.0 APG
31. Jonathan Beagle, PF: From Albany (92)
Stats: 12.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.1 APG
32. Chance Westry, SG: From Auburn (92)
Stats: 2.5 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 1.0 APG
33. John Hugley, C: From Pittsburgh (92)
Stats: 8.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.8 APG
34. Skyy Clark, PG: Committed to Louisville; From Illinois (92)
Stats: 7.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 APG
35. Kadin Shedrick, C: From Virginia (91)
Stats: 6.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.6 APG
36. Rienk Mast, C: From Bradley (91)
Stats: 13.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG
37. Andrew Rohde, SF: From St. Thomas (91)
Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.6 APG
38. Jackson Paveletzke, PG: From Wofford (91)
Stats: 15.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
39. AJ Storr, SF: From St. John’s (91)
Stats: 8.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.8 APG
40. Posh Alexander, PG: From St. John’s (91)
Stats: 10.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.2 APG
41. Tamar Bates, SF: From Indiana (91)
Stats: 6.1 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
42. Lazar Stefanovic, SF: From Utah (91)
Stats: 10.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.7 APG
43. Walter Clayton, SG: From Iona (91)
Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.2 APG
44. BJ Mack, C: From Wofford (91)
Stats: 16.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
45. Cobe Williams, PG: Committed to Tulsa; From Louisiana Tech (90)
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.1 APG
46. Jaykwon Walton, SF: Committed to Alabama; From Wichita State (90)
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
47. Primo Spears, PG: From Georgetown (90)
Stats: 16.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.3 APG
48. Dayvion McKnight, SG: From Western Kentucky (90)
Stats: 16.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.8 APG
49. Demarcus Sharp, PG: Committed to Austin Peay; From Northwestern State (90)
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.0 APG
50. DJ Horne, PG: From Arizona State (90)
Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
© 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc.