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Clifford Omoruyi and Maxime Raynaud headline the college basketball transfer portal's top 10 big men – 247Sports
More than 1,000 players are now in the transfer portal and more players are flooding in by the day.
The portal has become the focal point of every recruiting calendar during which college coaches can recruit proven college players to build out their roster. In some instances, the portal has offered a lifeline to compete fast. In others, it’s proven to be a detriment.
Even with college teams still playing in the NIT and NCAA Tournament, they’re having to maneuver this new way of life and the players aren’t slowing down for them. Many impact players have already hit the portal, which is exactly why we are trying to make this easier for you in breaking down the best players and prospects by position.
On Tuesday, we took a look at the top point guards in the portal. On Wednesday, we took a look at the best overall prospects. On Thursday, we took a look at the best wings currently in the portal (prior to AJ Storr entry).
RELATED: College Basketball Transfer Portal: Updated Top 25 rankings for 2024
Now, it’s time to look at the best bigs testing out college free agency.
Maxime Raynaud, From Stanford: Maxime Raynaud was the top transfer in the portal up until Thursday afternoon. The seven-footer from France has loads of offensive skill and ability, making for a weapon that can put points on the board in a variety of ways.
He scored 20 or more points in 11 games this season, including a season-high 29 points against the Arizona Wildcats. Raynaud has gotten better with each passing year and there’s a lot to like about him being a first-team, All-Conference type of player. He could possibly even be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.
Clifford Omoruyi, From Rutgers: Omoruyi could have a big defensive impact for a team next season. He’s a big, long and strong big man who has a motor and uses his physical gifts to patrol the paint on defense. Omoruyi is the best rim protector on the board and among the very best in the country, blocking nearly three shots a game.
Omoruyi is expected to take an official visit to St. John’s next week.
READ MORE: Highlighting which teams are in the big man transfer market
Pharrel Payne, From Minnesota: Payne was a key player for a Minnesota program that had its best year in the Ben Johnson-era. The 6-foot-9 big man had really come into his own with the Gophers alongside Dawson Garcia. Payne is a strong 5-man with great hands, touch and some athletic pop for a guy his size. He rebounds the ball at a high rate and scores at an even higher clip, shooting 60.2% from the field this season. With two years to play, Payne will be in high demand.
Lynn Kidd, From Virginia Tech (To Miami): Kidd is the first big off the board, wasting no time in making a decision to transfer closer to home and play for the Miami Hurricanes. With the Hokies, Kidd was a valuable low-post scorer who can turn and connect with hooks over both shoulders. He has great hands, good size and long arms. Kidd had 5 games this season where he scored more than 20 points — including a 31-point outing against American. For the season, he scored on 66.8% of his total field goals.
Amari Williams, From Drexel: Williams is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in the CAA Conference. He’s a native of England who possesses a big frame, long arms and soft hands and touch. His size and strength were very impactful outside of Power 5 basketball, but they should translate to high-major basketball next year. He’s not the best scorer of the bunch, but what he does pass and facilitate the basketball well while operating as the clean up in the lane.
Jevon Porter, From Pepperdine: Porter is the younger brother of Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. Like his older brother, Porter is blessed with a wealth of talent that you just can’t teach. He has size, length, fluidity and skill on the offensive side of the ball with upside to continue tapping into as a floor-stretcher. Porter has the innate ability to impact the game on both ends. And if he gets stronger and more physical, then he can make a major leap in his development to potential become an NBA player like the rest of his family.
Tarris Reed, From Michigan: Reed is a prototypical Big Ten center, standing at 6-foot-10 with a big and sturdy build. He isn’t the most athletic player, but he has good hands/touch, takes up space in the paint and can use his body to batter and bruise the opposition. Reed is a serviceable scorer on the low block while also being a very good area rebounder, snagging more than seven boards a game. As a sophomore, Reed also showed his value as a rim protector, blocking 1.4 shots a game.
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, From Louisville: Huntley is a former McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit that found his stride under Kenny Payne at Louisville. With Payne now gone, Huntley is also on the move. Huntley-Hatfield is very gifted with his physical tools. He has continued to develop his motor and adjust his style of play to be much more effective on the court. When Huntley’s motor is firing, he is a monster that can get a double-double on any given night.
Malik Dia, From Belmont: Dia was at the high-major ranks as a freshman but transferred down to Belmont this past season. Now, he’s about to be back in the Power 5. He’s a 6-foot-9 power forward with a very impressive frame, long arms and a very soft touch on his jumper. Dia stretches the floor, makes shots from three but can also back guys down, score on the block and create his own shots from mid-range.
Nana Owusu-Anane, From Brown: Rounding out the list is Brown power forward Owusu-Anane. He is another strong and physical big man, but he’s one who can put the ball on the deck. He can attack off the dribble as well as pass and facilitate out of the high post. Owusu provides energy, functioning as a glue-guy on both ends of the court. His ability to rebound, facilitate, be an effective scorer and make the occasional jumper will provide value to many high-major programs.
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