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College basketball's 10 mid-major transfers expected to make power-conference noise in 2024-25 – 247Sports
Typically elite talent translates regardless of the level in college basketball. In the recent transfer portal window, many of the top mid-major stars from this past season entered looking for an opportunity to showcase their skills at a power conference program during the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. Some of these lesser known talents in college basketball expect to make a lot of noise next season at their new destination.
A few of the biggest hits in the previous college basketball transfer portal cycle came from the low- or mid-major ranks, most notably SEC Player of the Year and Tennessee standout Dalton Knecht, who transferred in from Northern Colorado.
The transfer portal has changed college basketball, allowing for significant roster turnover and opportunity for hidden stars to rise to the occasion on a much bigger stage. So, who are the names to know that could make the greatest impact next season?
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Below is a closer look at 10 mid-major transfers expected to make noise at the power conference level next season:
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 97 rating | No. 1 SG | No. 3 overall
Previous school: Florida Atlantic
Johnell Davis is one of the top overall players in the transfer portal this cycle. And although the initial expectation was the former Florida Atlantic star would follow his head coach to Michigan, it was John Calipari and Arkansas that landed the top-ranked shooting guard in the end. Davis averaged career highs with 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this past season. The 6-foot-4, 203-pound guard shot 48.3% from the field and 41.4% from 3-point range. The Razorbacks continue to build their roster for next season with Davis being a focal point as a proven veteran guard.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 97 rating | No. 1 SF | No. 6 overall
Previous school: Drake
The father-son duo of Darian DeVries and Tucker DeVries could lead to immediate results at West Virginia. The younger of the two won back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year awards and had the NBA on his radar as early as a sophomore. DeVries averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field this past season. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound shooting guard gives the Mountaineers a true scoring threat that should excel despite a jump into the Big 12 for his final year of eligibility.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No. 2 CG | No. 24 overall
Previous school: Saint Mary’s
UConn seems to just reload its national championship-caliber roster. Dan Hurley knows how to identify talent and expects to get big production out of former St. Mary’s guard Aidan Mahaney, a two-time First Team All-WCC selection. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound rising star averaged 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 38.6% from the field and 35.5% from 3-point range. The Huskies lose a lot from a lineup that just won back-to-back national championships, but Mahaney could be a piece that puts UConn in that conversation again in the Big East.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 6 PG | No. 25 overall
Previous school: South Dakota State
The Kansas backcourt is loaded for a potential national championship or bust 2024-25 campaign. Former South Dakota State star Zeke Mayo expects to be a prolific shot-maker for the Jayhawks after earning Summit League Player of the Year with 18.8 points per game this past season. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard can score on and off the ball with a dangerous jump shot and ability to get to the rim. The Lawrence native returns home looking to be a key piece for Kansas and head coach Bill Self.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 6 C | No. 25 overall
Previous school: Yale
Michigan loaded up on talented transfers — regardless of the level — under new head coach Dusty May. Former Yale big man Danny Wolf is among those highly-regarded newcomers and could use his size and length as an advantage in the Big Ten next season. The 7-foot, 255-pound center nearly averaged a double-double for the Bulldogs this past season with 14.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while competing in the underrated Ivy League. He also blocked 1.3 shots per game and could be a menace for opposing teams as Michigan begins a new era in Ann Arbor.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 7 PG | No. 29 overall
Previous school: Harvard
Despite being a bit undersize Malik Mack excelled as a freshman at Harvard and now takes his talents to Georgetown looking to help the Hoyas get off the bottom of the Big East floor. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound point guard averaged 17.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game for the Crimson last season. Georgetown ranked 263rd nationally in assists per game (12.2) this past campaign. The pairing with Jayden Epps could unlock a much-needed new level of offense for the Hoyas.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 8 SF | No. 36 overall
Previous school: Belmont
It is hard to find a 6-foot-7 shooter that connects on nearly 47% of its 3-point attempts. But that is exactly what Cade Tyson brings to a North Carolina lineup that lost two of its best 3-point threats. The former Belmont standout averaged 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds while connecting on 46.5% attempts from deep. Tyson returns to his home state with a likely immediate starting role for the Tar Heels. The 3-point shooting stands out, but Tyson can score off the dribble too.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 8 C | No. 46 overall
Previous school: Florida Atlantic
Michigan has two 7-footers en route to Ann Arbor for the start of a new era under head coach Dusty May. Former Florida Atlantic big man Vladislav Goldin follows his former coach to the Wolverines as a major pickup not only because of his skillset, but also helping establish a new winning culture. Michigan could be considered a transfer portal winner this cycle with the roster it pieced together. The pairing of Goldin and Yale transfer Danny Wolf could be enough to overpower Big Ten opponents.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 94 rating | No. 12 PG | No. 47 overall
Previous school: San Diego State
Lamont Butler Jr. may not be a flashy scoring threat, but the three-time Mountain West All-Defensive Team selection and reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year will certainly be a big piece for Kentucky and new head coach Mark Pope in 2024-25. Butler played a major role in helping the Aztecs reach the national championship game two years ago, earning NCAA All-Tournament team. This past season he averaged 9.3 points while shooting 42.1% from the field.
247Sports Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 94 rating | No. 14 PG | No. 51 overall
Previous school: Belmont
Maryland got its point guard early in the transfer portal window by landing Belmont leading scorer Ja’Kobi Gillespie. The well-rounded guard can contribute on both ends of the floor and should be a worthy replacement for Jahmir Young. Gillespie averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting just over 56% from the floor. He also has two years of eligibility remaining as a potential multi-year impact player for the Terrapins and head coach Kevin Willard.
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