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College basketball transfer portal: News, notes, intel on top 20 … – 247Sports
May 11 marks the final day to enter the NCAA transfer portal, and a horde of big-name, NBA Draft entries are expected to put their names in the portal to give themselves a wealth of options. So while 33 of the top 36 players currently in 247Sports’ top 100 rankings have committed, the latest entries to the portal this week are heavy-hitting studs who are no-doubt, high-major starters.
The current juggling act for coaches throughout the country is no easy task. Plenty of stay-or-go decisions have to be made for the NBA Draft, so a scholarship needs to be left open for those studs. But at the same time, a staff has to peruse the portal and fill out the roster as best as possible while weighing the intel on the status of potential returners.
Backup plans are vital. A backup plan to the backup plan isn’t a bad idea, either.
Get the latest football and basketball transfer portal news from 247Sports.
Here are the top 20 available players in the transfer portal after some big-name portal entries this week and the latest intel on potential destinations:
Stats: 18.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
No player changes the fortunes of a program instantly like Dickinson. The All-American Michigan transfer would make Maryland a Big Ten frontrunner, Kansas a National Championship heavy hitter and Villanova a Big East heavyweight just to name a few. Dickinson has taken visits to Georgetown, Maryland, Kansas and Kentucky. A trip to Villanova is still on the docket, and both Syracuse and Michigan are still interested. Dickinson is an elite offensive hub who can walk into any situation and flirt with a 20-point, 10-rebound, double-double while whipping passes all across the hardwood if double-teamed. Questions about defending pick-and-rolls are legitimate but minimized due to Dickinson’s dominance on the other end.
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG
Armstrong –– once considered an Arizona lean –– unveiled a Final Four including Creighton, Gonzaga, Xavier and Providence. Turns out, Armstrong is not expected to play a third season of college basketball. 247Sports national recruiting analyst Travis Branham logged a 247Sports Crystal Ball for Armstrong to pursue professional opportunities. Armstrong averaged 10.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game as a freshman. He followed that up with 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this past season.
Stats: 23.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.3 APG
College basketball’s second-highest scorer –– entered the portal Friday with less than two weeks to go before the May 11th deadline. Dingle averaged more than 20 points per game in each of the past two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard poured in a career-best 23.4 points per game last season on elite efficiency. Dingle vaults to the top of the wish list for high-majors throughout the country. Dingle shot 55.5% on 2s, 35.6% on 3s and 85.6% from the charity stripe last season. St. John’s, Villanova and Kentucky make plenty of sense for Dingle, but he will have no shortage of suitors.
Stats: 13.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.7 APG
Lawrence entered the transfer portal Monday after a breakout junior season where he averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists on fabulous shooting splits. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard is part of a mass exodus out of the Vanderbilt program. Name, Image and Likeness is expected to be a major factor in Lawrence’s decision, according to a report from 247Sports’ Robbie Weinstein. Lawrence was one of the best off-the-bounce slashers in the country. Lawrence shot 56% on 2s, including a scintillating 69.4% at the rim. Lawrence lived at the charity stripe (140 attempts) and shot 36% from downtown.
LSU is an early team to watch closely. Lawrence has a close connection with Jordan Wright, the Vanderbilt transfer LSU landed earlier in the 2023 cycle, and the Tigers are revamping the backcourt and could use another bucket-getter. Georgia, Missouri and a boatload of others will be in the mix. Lawrence is rapidly turning into one of the most-coveted players in the transfer portal. Programs are clearing space on the roster and opening up the checkbooks for one of the best downhill threats in the portal. If Lawrence gets to his left hand, you’re toast.
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.8 APG
Toledo star guard RayJ Dennis entered the transfer portal Wednesday, 247Sports learned. The reigning MAC Player of the Year averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game last season for the Rockets. Dennis is still navigating the NBA Draft waters. Dennis shot 52.3% on 2s, 36.4% on 3s and 77.8% from the charity stripe last season. He owned a whopping 32.1% assist rate. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard had 13 points, eight assists and just one turnover in Toledo’s 90-80 loss to Michigan in the first round of the NIT.
The Plainfield, Il. native starred at Oswego East High School outside of Chicago, averaging 23.2 points, 5.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. The three-star recruit spent two seasons at Boise State and earned a spot in the starting lineup. But he leveled up after transferring to Toledo, averaging 12.7 points, 4.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds as a junior before erupting into a Player of the Year contender this past season.
Home-state Illinois is the heavy favorite, but big-name programs are filling up Dennis’ phone.
Stats: 13.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 APG
Florida State’s treasured transfer Matthew Cleveland is down to three, per 247Sports’ Travis Branham: Missouri, Miami and Auburn. Cleveland has quietly visited all three programs and a decision is imminent for the playmaking forward who is a highly-impactful defender. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing led FSU in points per game (13.8) and total rebounds (223). Cleveland tallied 49 stocks (steals and blocks). The former five-star recruit averaged 3.86 free throw attempts per game. Cleveland was named the ACC’s sixth man of the year in 2021-22.
Stats: 6.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.1 APG
Bradley was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2022 and headlined Alabama’s No. 4-rated recruiting class alongside fellow five-star Brandon Miller. Bradley averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 turnovers in 19.8 minutes per game for the SEC champions. Bradley played in all 37 games and earned 22 starts. He opened the season coming off the bench before earning 22 consecutive starts throughout the end of non-conference play and all of SEC action, but his playing time really tapered off down the stretch.
NC State, Memphis and Arizona are three of the top programs for Bradley.
Stats: 16.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
Syracuse transfer Joe Girard III announced a final two of Clemson and LSU on social media Wednesday. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound sharpshooter is one of the most proven shot-makers in the NCAA transfer portal. Girard averaged a career-best 16.4 points per game last season while shooting 38.1% from 3-point range and 85.7% from the free throw line. Girard rated in the 85th percentile nationally in catch-and-shoot efficiency in 2021-22, per Synergy. Girard is the No. 38-ranked player in the college basketball transfer portal.
Clemson and LSU can both offer Girard a path to a monster role.
Stats: 10.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.3 APG
The lack of superstar wings in the transfer portal should make Tyson a coveted priority even though there are eligibility questions. Technically, Tyson has used up all his free transfers, so even though there was a coaching change at Texas Tech, Tyson would have to sit out the 2023-24 campaign unless he can get a waiver. His case for a waiver is strong after ex-Texas Tech coach Mark Adams was suspended due to an inappropriate and racially insensitive comment he allegedly made toward a player.
Tyson averaged 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals this past season. The shot-making and rebounding is one thing, but Tyson has both the athleticism and the desire to be one of the best defenders in the country. Tyson was a deflection machine in his first real season of college basketball.
It’s a dogfight between Cal and Kansas for Tyson.
Stats: 9.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.0 APG
White was one of the best freshmen in the Pac-12 this past season, and the 6-foot-7, 210-pound wing has racked up a long list of suitors after entering the NCAA transfer portal. White started 29 games for USC last season and averaged 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists. White shot 52.5% on 2s, 69% at the free-throw line and knocked down 13 shots from 3-point range.
White shot 63% at the rim using heady drives and well-timed cuts. White showcased the ability to create his own offense as a secondary play-maker, and he was a relentless offensive rebounder for Andy Enfield. But he has room to grow as a shooter both off the catch and off the bounce.
The former top-35 recruit in the 2022 class is a big-time athlete with elite defensive versatility. White has skyrocketed up the list of available two-way wings in the college basketball transfer portal.
The prized USC transfer visited Louisville Friday, per Branham. White visited UCF on Saturday, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
Stats: 13.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG
Jones was positioned to be an All-Big East contender after transferring from DePaul to St. John’s in the 2022 cycle. But Jones (and the rest of the St. John’s program) had a rough season. Jones averaged 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, but his shooting splits dipped. Jones shot just 29.4% from 3-point range and just 44.6% on 2s. But the 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing projects to be an outstanding defensive weapon. If he has not graduated yet, Jones will need a waiver to play right away since he’s used up his free one-time transfer.
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
Luis quietly had a very strong freshman season for Frank Martin at UMass. The 6-foot-7, 196-pound wing shot 34.8% from 3-point range and 78.9% from the charity stripe while flashing intriguing on-ball reps and a gorgeous midrange jumper. He also ripped down 1.6 offensive rebounds per game and was a defensive menace (1.1 steals per game). Luis was once rumored a strong Texas A&M lean, but Louisville and St. John’s have hosted the UMass transfer for visits in the last 10 days.
Stats: 10.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Nkamhoua entered the transfer portal despite having the second-highest usage rate on the team (22.1) and attempting the second-most shots (306). Michigan hosted Nkamhoua for a visit, and Juwan Howard had a vacant starting spot with his name on it. But Nkamhoua did not commit and chasing the professional route is certainly in play.
“Olivier has told us from day one that his No. 1 objective is to be a pro basketball player,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “He has told us that is his pursuit. He told us that his dad wanted him to put his name in the portal, which is a decision they have to make. From day one, our conversation with him has been that his ultimate goal was to try and put himself in a position to be a professional athlete next year.”
Stats: 17.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG
Perry set May 2 as the announcement date for his new program, according to Rothstein. Perry, the Conference USA Player of the Year at North Texas this past season, is expected to decide between finalists Florida, Kansas State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech. The diminutive guard averaged 17.3 points per game for the NIT champion Mean Green.
Perry’s high-level shooting will be prized by whichever team gets him—he made 41.3% of his 3-pointers and 85.6% of his free throws in two years at North Texas. And while his 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game this year were impressive, they become even more impressive when one considers that North Texas played at the nation’s 363rd-fastest tempo — slowest in the country — limiting his chances to accumulate counting numbers.
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.9 BPG
Bandaogo immediately vaults to the top of the big man market in the college basketball transfer portal. Bandaogo was the anchor of the Utah Valley squad that advanced to the NIT semifinals. Bandaogo averaged 11.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. Bandaogo finished with 104 blocks –– third-most in college basketball last season –– and he owned the 29th-best block percentage (8.6%).
Boatloads of high-major programs are still on the prowl for a big man. Virginia ballyhooed transfer Kadin Shedrick opted to pick Texas, so Duke and Missouri still have open vacancies in the frontcourt. Clemson could be in the big man market if PJ Hall stays in the 2023 NBA Draft. But Dickinson’s impending decision has had a huge impact on the transfer portal market for big men. Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan, Villanova, Syracuse, Georgetown and Maryland have all been very involved.
Bandaogo could also consider teaming up with Madsen at Cal. The 7-foot, 230-pound center would have to share the frontcourt with Texas Tech transfer Fardaws Aimaq.
Stats: 11.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.2 APG
Taylor transformed into a foul-drawing machine for Oregon State this past season. Taylor shot 150 free throws in 31 games. That’s helped him garner plenty of high-major interest. Taylor visited Ohio State and St. John’s. Utah, USC, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State have expressed interest, per Rothstein.
The 6-foot-6, 200 pound forward was the best two-way player on Oregon State’s roster last year, and his ability to score while adding plus defense makes him a fit in any system. In his sophomore campaign in Corvallis, Taylor posted 11.7 points per game with 18 steals.
Stats: 6.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.9 BPG
The former five-star recruit is one of the top defensive big men in the transfer portal. Cisse was the co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22. He led the Big 12 with 54 blocked shots. Cisse has been in contact with numerous high-major programs, but he is not a graduate transfer, so his status for the 2023-24 season is still up in the air after the NCAA’s new memo limits two-time transfers.
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
Walton’s dazzling 40% mark from downtown made him one of the quick targets for Alabama coach Nate Oats. Alabama moved quickly and locked the Wichita State transfer down. But he’s back on the market after a late-April arrest on second-degree possession of marijuana charges. There were reportedly multiple firearms in the vehicle.
“Alabama is no longer recruiting Jaykwon Walton and he will not be a student-athlete at The University of Alabama,” Oats said in a statement.
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG
The high-powered Niagara transfer visited Georgia, St. John’s and San Francisco, and he’s on Penn State’s campus this weekend. One more visit to Pitt is on tap before a decision is made on May 10.
“I’m a man of my word,” Thomasson told 247Sports. “I told every coach that I’m going to take all five of my visits, give them all a chance and go from there.”
Thomasson is a career 37.5% 3-point shooter and he had a dazzling 25% assist rate in 2022-23.
Stats: 6.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.4 APG
Lubin was a huge get for Notre Dame’s Class of 2022, and he averaged 6.2 points, 4,4 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 0.3 steals in 17.4 minutes per game as a freshman. Lubin shot 62.5% on 2s and 67% from the charity stripe. He owned a 19-point, eight-rebound showing in Notre Dame’s late-February loss to Wake Forest. He scored in double figures in three straight games against Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Duke in early February.
Oklahoma, Miami, Virginia Tech, Dayton, Penn State and South Carolina immediately reached out to Lubin after entering the portal, per Andrew Slater.
Carter Bahns and Kevin Flaherty contributed to this report.
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