College basketball transfer portal: How prized Washington State wing TJ Bamba fits with top contenders – 247Sports

In his first full season as a full-time starter, TJ Bamba burst onto the scene at Washington State. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing averaged 15.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 31 games this past season. When Bamba entered the transfer portal, he quickly became one of the top available wings and dozens of high-level programs have already made contact. Bamba is the No. 9-rated transfer.
Bamba shot 37% on 3s, 45.9% on 2s and 73% on free throws in 2022-23. He drew five fouls per 40 minutes which ranked 188th-best in all of college basketball. Bamba rated in the 91st percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers, per Synergy. But Bamba is not just some 3-and-D weapon. He flashed a much-improved feel for the game in pick-and-rolls which is a tantalizing development. Bamba was named honorable mention All-Pac 12, but Washington State coach Kyle Smith was miffed he did not get second-team All-Pac-12 or any votes for the Pac-12’s All-Defense team.
“He could have made a case to be second team,” Smith said. “He has such a big role and is so important for us defensively.”
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Here is how Bamba would fit with the schools that are in the mix.
LSU: After a season-ending injury to Mwani Wilkinson, LSU’s stable of big-bodied wings was at a bare minimum. That was a problem in the wing-heavy SEC. Bamba has an easy path to a starting gig for Matt McMahon, and he’d instantly become one of the top offensive weapons. But if Bamba wants to make the NCAA Tournament next season, going to LSU would be a gamble with the current roster construction.
Arizona: Arizona is super familiar with Bamba from the Pac-12 battles. Tommy Lloyd has to find a way to replace starting guards like Kerr Kriisa and Courtney Ramey. Bamba’s much-improved shooting stroke would fit right in, and his size on the perimeter is just what Arizona is looking for.
Oregon: It’s pretty interesting how many Pac-12 schools have reached out to Bamba. He torched Oregon for 19 points in the Pac-12 Tournament. With Will Richardson out of eligibility, Oregon has to upgrade the overall talent in its backcourt. Adding Bamba to Keeshawn Barthelemy and Jermaine Couisnard (if he returns) would be a strong start to a huge offseason for Dana Altman and Co.
Maryland: Maryland has to replace two starting wings at the moment. Hakim Hart entered the 2023 NBA Draft and the transfer portal, and Don Carey is out of eligibility. Bamba would be a significant talent upgrade because he’s more than just a catch-and-shoot wing. Bamba improved dramatically in pick-and-rolls and would be an ideal secondary weapon alongside All-Big Ten point guard Jahmir Young.
Illinois: Bamba’s efficiency in transition dipped in 2022-23, but he was terrific on the open floor in 2021-22 (1.27 points per possession, 85th percentile, per Synergy). That’s music to Brad Underwood’s ears. Plus, you factor in Bamba’s improved 3-point stroke and his knack for getting to the foul line, and it looks like an ideal fit for the Illini’s wide-open backcourt. The last time Illinois landed a Pac-12 transfer (ex-Utah guard Alfonso Plummer), he turned into an All-Big Ten selection. But it’s fair for Bamba to wonder if his role would be diminished in the scenario that leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. returns to Illinois instead of going to the 2023 NBA Draft.
Villanova: If Bamba wants to be closer to home, Villanova could be a strong contender. Cam Whitmore is off to the NBA Draft, and both Brandon Slater and Caleb Daniels are out of eligibility. There’s even smoke about more potential movement for Kyle Neptune’s squad. Villanova’s roster could be wide open for Bamba to get plenty of shots.
Florida: Todd Golden wants to accumulate as many pros as possible. Bamba has legit 2024 NBA Draft upside, and Florida could surround him with plenty of above-average role players.
Kansas: Bill Self will have a much-different look on the wing next year. Kansas could lose MJ Rice, Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson and Kevin McCullar. Adding versatile, two-way wings will be the No. 1 priority for Self this offseason, and Bamba is the best of the bunch in the transfer portal right now.
St. John’s: The Bronx, N.Y. native would be coming home if he picked St. John’s. New Johnnies coach Rick Pitino believes he can facelift the St. John’s program in a hurry. He basically is building the 2023-24 roster from scratch. Bamba would be a huge start.
Florida State: For a few years in a row, Florida State was the King of Wings. It felt like every year the ‘Noles just had waves of high-level athletes who had skill and size. Florida State needs more proven creators in pick-and-rolls for its unproven roster. Bamba certainly would raise the floor for Florida State in a hurry.
Tennessee: Tennessee is in a state of limbo right now while it waits for fifth-year decisions from seniors Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi. Plus, freshman Julian Phillips could choose to go into the 2023 NBA Draft. If two of those guys opt to leave, the Vols have a ton of opportunity to hand Bamba. Oh, and he can guard.
Mississippi State: Bamba has the size and frame to handle the onslaught of athleticism that the SEC possesses. Bamba would instantly become one of Mississippi State’s top perimeter shooters. He could also step in to replace DJ Jeffries’ isolation-scoring knack.
Texas: Texas is on the hunt for guard depth with Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen and Sir’Jabari Rice all heading out the door. If Bamba links up with Tyrese Hunter and Arterio Morris, Rodney Terry will have one of the best backcourts in the country for the second year in a row.
Clemson: The Tigers have to replace Hunter Tyson’s 15.3 points per game. They don’t play the same position, but Bamba could do a lot of the same things Tyson was really good at. Bamba would have no issues sliding into the starting lineup next to Chase Hunter and forming a high-upside backcourt.
Arkansas: Bamba is not quite the same level of athlete as Ricky Council IV, but he has a lot of the same qualities. His wiggle in pick-and-rolls is really good, so Eric Musselman could definitely find plenty of instances to get the ball in his hands. He’d shore up Arkansas’ 3-point issues, and Bamba would fit right in with the Hogs’ culture on the defensive end.
UConn: Changes are coming for UConn. Jordan Hawkins is skyrocketing up draft boards, and sniper Joey Calcaterra is likely out of eligibility, unless he gets a waiver for only playing 12 games in 2020-21. Those are UConn’s two most-dangerous snipers. Bamba returning to the East Coast and filling that shooting void would make sense. Fitting in as a piece, not the piece on a high-level team could be a smart business plan for Bamba, too.
Colorado: Colorado is one more veteran wing and a big man away from being a darkhorse contender in the Pac-12. The Buffs could start dreaming big if they kept Bamba in the Pac-12.
Arizona State: Bamba might not have that microwave-level heaters that D.J. Horne or Desmond Cambridge Jr. could go on, but he’d be much more consistent for Bobby Hurley. The Arizona State coach allows freedom on offense if you guard. That wouldn’t be an issue for Bamba. The Washington State transfer would have to play against his old team, but you can pencil in double-digit shots for him at Arizona State.
Xavier: Sean Miller helped UTEP transfer Souley Boum transform into a Big East Player of the Year candidate. His sell for potential transfers is really strong. Xavier will likely have to replace its entire starting backcourt, so it will be very active in the transfer portal. It has a strong sell after a top-10 offense sparked Xavier to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Rutgers: Cam Spencer was quietly one of the most-impactful transfers this season. With Caleb McConnell and Spencer out of the mix, Rutgers really needs a bucket-getting wing who can also guard. Playing alongside a do-it-all point guard like Paul Mulcahy and an intimidating rim protector like Cliff Omoruyi would be very attractive.
Iowa State: Iowa State is a destination for transfers because T.J. Otzelberger puts the ball in their hands and lets them go to work. Bamba has a super high floor and would likely have a great shot to start and play heavy minutes for the Cyclones right away in 2023-24.
Utah: Ho hum, another Pac-12 school is interested in Bamba. There’s no doubt that Bamba would instantly become one of Utah’s top scoring options from the moment he stepped foot on campus.
Auburn: Wendell Green Jr. and K.D. Johnson handled 222 of Auburn’s 345 pick-and-roll reps last season. There are ways to take out small guards with smart pick-and-roll coverage. But Bamba’s size could add a different element to Auburn’s pick-and-roll heavy offense. He’s also got the ability to be a major weapon in transition which Auburn coach Bruce Pearl prioritizes.
Creighton: If Baylor Scheierman opts to go to the NBA Draft after four years of school, Creighton will need a big-bodied wing who can handle it and knock down 3s. Bamba checks off all the boxes.
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