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College Basketball Transfer Portal: The top 10 power forwards – 247Sports
The college basketball transfer portal is slowing down with the spring window closed and most players coming off the board.
The four-man position is filled with skill and versatility in this year’s cycle.
Get the latest football and basketball transfer portal news from 247Sports.
Using the 247Sports transfer portal rankings and analysis from our experts, we are breaking down the top 10 power forwards from this year’s window.
Ranking: No. 3 overall
Analysis: “Grant Nelson projects to be a high-impact piece on both ends of the floor. He’s a skilled ball-handler who owned a 17.4% assist rate during Summit League action. Nelson was a monster on the glass and one of the top shot blockers in the country. Nelson routinely ripped down a defensive rebound and led the break. He shot 60% on 2s, 71.4% at the free-throw line and 27.2% from 3-point range.
“Nelson showcased his ability to be a play-making four, but he has the size and rim-protection knack to earn minutes at the five.
“Nelson’s mother recently told 247Sports that the family plans to visit Alabama. Arkansas, Arizona, Baylor, Creighton, Florida State, Gonzaga, Iowa, Kentucky and Miami also reportedly have reached out.”
— Brandon Jenkins, 247Sports national recruiting analyst, and Isaac Trotter, 247Sports national basketball writer
Ranking: No. 19 overall
Analysis: “Arthur Kaluma was a player who was on draft boards entering the 2022-23 season. However, while he did declare for the draft, he entered the portal in the final hours before its closure.
“Kaluma is a versatile forward who can score, rebound and defend but has not developed his long-range jumper like many hoped. He recently withdrew from the NBA Draft and Alabama, Kentucky, Texas and Texas Tech are a few of the schools that have reached out.”
— Travis Branham, 247Sports national recruiting analyst, and Jenkins
Ranking: No. 41 overall
Analysis: “Jordan Minor put up gaudy stats at Merrimack and was named Co-NEC Player of the Year and the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year too. A rim protector who also was the best rebounder in the NEC last season, Minor plays like a four but can also play the five.
“He can play out on the perimeter, take his man off the dribble, guard multiple positions and is effective in the screen-and-roll game. Given his versatility, Minor will bring a lot of value to Tony Bennett‘s system as soon as his career starts in Charlottesville.”
— Jenkins and Trotter
Ranking: No. 55 overall
Analysis: “Ben Krikke had a productive year on the stat sheet as he averaged 19.4 points, which led the league, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 35.7 minutes per contest. He did this while shooting 55.6% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.
“He will give Fran McCaffery a mobile post option that can be played through and open things up for others in the scoring department.”
— Sean Bock, Iowa writer for 247Sports’ HawkeyeInsider
Ranking: No. 56 overall
Analysis: “Isaac Traudt is another freshman who was highly rated in high school. The 6-foot-10 stretch four-man hit the portal after redshirting this season. He decided to return to his home state to play for Creighton. Traudt has skill, can shoot and is good on the glass.
“The skills in his offensive toolbox should make for an ideal fit with what Greg McDermott desires in his system.”
— Eric Bossi, 247Sports national basketball director, and Jenkins
Ranking: No. 57 overall
Analysis: “Olivier Nkamhoua withdrew his name from the NBA Draft. He 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 on the spot due to the professional route being his main focus. With his mindset now back on college, Baylor, Kansas State, Memphis, West Virginia and the Wolverines will all be hustling for his commitment.”
— Jenkins and Trotter
Ranking: No. 76 Overall
Analysis: “Pitt starting forward John Hugley played in just eight games this year before sitting the rest of the season to focus on his mental health. He entered the transfer portal at the end of the year and the Sooners of Oklahoma were able to land the 6-foot-9 post man.
“Hughley has the size to play center at 265 pounds, but he also showed some range in the eight games he played making 5 of 10 3-pointers. He finished the year averaging eight points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Last year, in 32 games, he averaged 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds.”
— Matt Prehm, Oregon writer for 247Sports’ Duck Territory
Overall Ranking: No. 80 overall
Analysis: “A bit of a tweener in terms of size, Keshad Johnson is a big-time athlete with a strong motor who was a key part of a San Diego State team that made it all the way to the national championship game. He will help take care of some pretty big needs out in Tucson.”
— Bossi
Overall Ranking: No. 85 overall
Analysis: “Darrion Williams checks all the boxes in the effort department. He became the first Nevada player to win Freshman of the Year in the Mountain West Conference after he averaged 7.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also was second in the conference in rebounding, shot 36% on 3-pointers and he finished the year eighth in the conference in steals. Williams is a winning player whose strengths bode well for a Grant McCasland-led team.”
— Jenkins and Prehm
Ranking: No. 89 overall
Analysis: “Rienk Mast has been an All-Conference player in the Missouri Valley. This year he averaged 13.8 points per game while grabbing eight boards. Mast shot 35% on 3-pointers this year after shooting 28% as a sophomore. He should be a front court floor spacing option in Nebraska’s offense next season.”
— Jenkins and Prehm
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