College basketball transfer portal: The best fits for the potential top available players – 247Sports

Let’s get it out of the way early. We are not predicting where the top uncommitted transfers in the college basketball transfer portal will end up. That would be irresponsible and reckless after numerous players just entered the transfer portal in the last 48 hours. This is my personal favorite potential destination for 11 of the top targets left on the board.
After combing through the rosters, there are some programs that offer rational destinations for the top free agents when factoring in potential roles and positional needs.
But logic does not always apply in the name, image and likeness era. The goals of the staff and the player have to align, and sometimes, that doesn’t happen (see: Kansas and Jaylon Tyson). Plus, the feedback from NBA teams will be like gold for a few of the best transfers.
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These are not Crystal Ball picks. It’s more of an “I think these players would thrive in these situations and here’s why” exercise. Here are my favorite landing spots for the top uncommitted transfers.
Favorite potential destination: Arkansas
Transfer Portal rating: 97
Grant Nelson would love to start cashing NBA paychecks. But if he returns to school, then Arkansas makes a ton of sense. You can’t find a better front court running mate than Trevon Brazile. Arkansas’ speed-it-up identity is exactly the system Nelson would need to fully unlock his grab-and-go skills in transition. The defensive upside would be undeniable. Arkansas also puts dudes in the pros. Nelson would have ample opportunity to raise his stock in a major way.
Favorite potential destination: NBA Draft
Transfer Portal rating: 96
Phillips’ full offensive arsenal was never fully showcased at Tennessee, but his defensive impact should have NBA decision-makers salivating. If Phillips shows out at next week’s NBA Combine, he could play himself into the first-round conversation. Phillips might not be ready to be in a NBA rotation right now, but he is a high-upside gamble. There are plenty of examples of long, multi-positional defenders like Phillips who work tirelessly into becoming a useful offensive piece (hello, Herb Jones).
Returning to college is a backup plan for Phillips right now. We’re betting on Phillips being too talented to not make a NBA front office fall in love with the idea of what he could become.
Favorite potential destination: St. John’s
Transfer Portal rating: 95
Rick Pitino would have a roster capable of a NCAA Tournament run if Dingle hopped on board. St. John’s offers the prized Penn transfer an opportunity to be a lead guard in the Big East, and he doesn’t have to stray far from home. Playing with a big man like Joel Soriano should be attractive. So would a crop of capable playmakers like RJ Luis, Glenn Taylor Jr., Nahiem Alleyne and Daniss Jenkins.
Editor’s note: Dingle announced his commitment to St. John’s Friday morning.
Favorite potential destination: Houston
Transfer Portal rating: 95
Ernest Udeh Jr. just entered the transfer portal on Thursday, so we’re in the early stages of this recruitment. Duke has an opening at the 5 which could certainly be attractive to Udeh, but Houston makes a lot of sense on paper, too. Udeh projects to be an absolute vicious defender. Whenever he was on the floor for Kansas, his energy just jumped off the screen. He’s a new-age big man who can guard all five positions. Udeh is a deflection machine and who just wreaked havoc. That’s music to Houston coach Kelvin Sampson’s ears. Udeh could slide into a Houston front court that has to replace Reggie Chaney and Jarace Walker and thrive as a lob-threat for dazzling pass-first point guard Jamal Shead. If Houston wants to keep double-teaming post-ups in the Big 12, Udeh’s sticky hands and relentless effort would be a hand-in-glove fit.
Favorite potential destination: Arizona
Transfer Portal rating: 94
Arizona missed out on one Creighton transfer (Ryan Nembhard), but it will likely be in the market for another ex-Bluejays stud.
A big-bodied, versatile bucket-getter? Yeah, that would check off a ton of boxes for Arizona. Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma would be the missing link and a monster addition to Tommy Lloyd’s club. Arizona’s young backcourt tandem of Jaden Bradley and Kylan Boswell is talented, but Kaluma is far more proven. An Oumar Ballo-Kaluma tandem would be highly productive and take the pressure off Bradley and Boswell. Kaluma would be primed for an All-Pac-12 push at Arizona in 2023-24.
Favorite potential destination: Auburn
Transfer Portal rating: 94
Auburn had the 11th-best free throw rate during SEC play last season, and Vanderbilt transfer Tyrin Lawrence would help change that. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard averaged just a smidge under four free throw attempts per game during SEC play last season. He’d be a gigantic offensive upgrade for an Auburn backcourt that really needs more firepower. The Aden Holloway-Denver Jones-Lawrence backcourt trio would be a high-level unit that could spark Auburn toward the top of the SEC standings.
Favorite potential destination: Illinois
Transfer Portal rating: 94
Illinois just makes too much sense for Toledo transfer guard RayJ Dennis. The Plainfield, Il. native is the best pass-first point guard available, and he averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game last season for Toledo.
The Illini have no proven options at point guard on the roster. Brad Underwood can sell Dennis on the opportunity to be the unquestioned decision-maker, and Illinois’ hit rate on transfers has been strong. Terrence Shannon Jr., Dain Dainja, Matthew Mayer, Jacob Grandison and Alfonso Plummer all had career-best seasons after transferring to Illinois.
Kansas State, Baylor and Indiana — three notable teams in the race — all have proven lead guards on the roster already. Kansas State just landed Tylor Perry, Indiana is getting Xavier Johnson back and Baylor has prized four-star point guard Miro Little on the way and could also get Adam Flagler (who played point guard last season) back for one more year.
If Dennis wants to be part of a talented backcourt tandem, Kansas State, Indiana or Baylor can provide that. If he wants to be the no-debate starting point guard, Illinois makes the most sense. Illini Inquirer’s Derek Piper reported that Dennis is visiting Illinois on Thursday. The MAC Player of the Year seems to be closing in on a decision.
Favorite potential destination: Michigan
Transfer Portal rating: 92
Olivier Nkamhoua is expected to make a judgment after getting more feedback on his professional prospects. Pursuing the professional route is certainly on the table, but if he chooses to return to college, then Michigan would be a rock-solid landing spot.
Juwan Howard can’t replace all of Hunter Dickinson’s production with just one player, but Nkamhoua would be a huge help. Michigan has a talented, but unproven, front court picture. Tarris Reed Jr. would be a popular breakout candidate next season. Tray Jackson, Will Tschetter and Terrance Williams II all bring different strengths to the table as role players. But Nkamhoua would have no trouble carving out a featured role.
Favorite potential destination: Cincinnati
Transfer Portal rating: N/A
Aziz Bandaogo would be a monster addition for a Cincinnati squad that quietly could do some real damage next season. Bandaogo would instantly become the best defensive big man on Wes Miller’s roster. He was one of the best shot-blockers in the country last season, and he impacts even more shots with strong vertical contests. Bandaogo would add a vertical threat to the Bearcats’ offense which is desperately needed. If you throw it remotely around the backboard, Bandaogo is flushing it effortlessly. 
Favorite potential destination: Kentucky
Transfer Portal rating: N/A
San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson is a chiseled defensive menace who was instrumental in helping the Aztecs advance to the National Championship game. He was put on the planet to shut down big wings. Kentucky needs a wing-stopper, and Johnson would be an exceptional addition. Johnson could help a very young Kentucky team set the tone on the defensive end of the floor. He’s not really a high-usage, ball-dominant offensive weapon, but Johnson is the old, winning role player this Kentucky roster does not have right now.
Favorite potential destination: Ole Miss
Transfer Portal rating: N/A
New Ole Miss coach Chris Beard is putting together the bones of a super-productive backcourt, but it could use another shot-maker. Insert Marshall transfer Andrew Taylor who drilled 83 treys last season in 32 games at an impeccable 36.4% clip. Prized Georgetown transfer Brandon Murray still needs to get a waiver from the NCAA to play right away. If that doesn’t happen, Taylor could join Matthew Murrell and Austin Nunez in the starting lineup. Even if Murray is somehow eligible to play right away, Ole Miss still has a feasible role for Taylor.
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