NCAAB · 1 hour ago

CBS Sports Ranks the Top 30 Transfers in the College Basketball Transfer Portal

John Canady

Host · Writer

30) G Kayden Mingo, Penn State
*Transferring from Penn State to Baylor*

Kayden Mingo brings size and control to the point guard position, making him a steady presence at both ends of the floor. He gets into the paint, makes smart reads, and competes defensively. Baylor is adding a guard who can organize everything.

"Mingo is a true set-the-table point guard with positional size and defensive chops." - Trotter
1) F Flory Bidunga, Kansas
*Transferring from Kansas to Louisville*

Flory Bidunga is the kind of interior force that changes a defense overnight. Louisville didn’t just land production; they landed a tone-setter who lives above the rim and erases mistakes on the back end. If it clicks, he’s got real ACC Defensive Player of the Year juice.

"Bidunga is a pogo-stick leaper... an elite defensive prospect who is switchable, mobile and highly disruptive." - Trotter
2) F Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
*Transferring from Iowa State*

Milan Momcilovic might be the purest shooter in college basketball, and it shows every time the ball leaves his hands. The volume, the difficulty, the confidence, it all stacks up to a plug-and-play offensive weapon at any level. If he’s back in college, he instantly warps defenses.

"The shot-making is so pure that it covers up some of Momcilovic's warts." - Trotter
3) G John Blackwell, Wisconsin
*Transferring from Wisconsin to Duke*

John Blackwell brings a throwback toughness with modern scoring juice, blending physical drives with real perimeter shot-making. Duke is getting a guard who competes on every possession and doesn’t shy away from big moments. There’s real All-Conference upside here.

"Blackwell is just so skilled, smart, competitive, and tough." - Trotter
4) F Allen Graves, Santa Clara
*Transferring from Santa Clara*

Allen Graves is one of those do-it-all forwards that every winning team covets. He impacts the game in layers, from defensive havoc to secondary playmaking to spacing the floor. If he comes back to college, expect a full-court recruitment.

"Graves is a five-tool player who broke out in a huge way." - Trotter
5) C Massamba Diop, Arizona State
*Transferring from Arizona State*

Massamba Diop feels like he’s just scratching the surface of what he can become. The tools are obvious, the flashes are loud, and once the game slows down, he could take off in a hurry. Bigs with this kind of mobility and skill don’t stay under the radar long.

"Diop has no idea how good he can be." - Trotter
6) G Rob Wright, BYU
*Returning to BYU*

Rob Wright is the engine every offense wants, a downhill creator who can score or set the table without breaking rhythm. His pace, handle, and confidence make him a nightmare to contain over 40 minutes. Getting him back is a massive win for BYU.

"Wright is a dynamic, downhill point guard who can score at all three levels and create." - Trotter
7) G PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
*Transferring from Kansas State to Texas A&M*

PJ Haggerty is as proven a bucket-getter as you’ll find in the portal. Night after night, he finds ways to score, whether it’s in transition, at the line, or breaking down defenders in the half-court. Texas A&M is getting a player who could lead the country in scoring.

"Haggerty's game is no secret... he can score the rock." - Trotter
8) F Juke Harris, Wake Forest
*Transferring from Wake Forest to Tennessee*

Juke Harris fits the modern wing mold with size, versatility, and an ability to impact the game without dominating the ball. He cuts, shoots, rebounds, and makes smart reads within the flow. Tennessee is adding a piece that raises the ceiling.

"Harris is the best wing in the portal haul, so far." - Trotter
9) F David Punch, TCU
*Transferring from TCU to Texas*

David Punch does the dirty work and then some, bringing physicality and defensive versatility that translates immediately. He guards across positions, rebounds in traffic, and makes winning plays without needing touches. Texas just got tougher overnight.

"Punch is one of the top two-way players in the country." - Trotter
10) F Paulius Murauskas, Saint Mary's
*Transferring from Saint Mary's to Arizona State*

Paulius Murauskas plays with a power and polish that make him a matchup nightmare. He can bully smaller defenders inside and step out to make plays on the perimeter. Arizona State is getting a forward who fills up the stat sheet in multiple ways.

"Murauskas... impacts the game positively in an abundance of ways." - Trotter
11) F Miles Byrd, San Diego State
*Transferring from San Diego State to Providence*

Miles Byrd is the type of defensive playmaker who can flip a game in a matter of possessions. His length and explosiveness pop immediately, and in the right system, the offensive side could start to catch up. Providence is betting on that upside in a big way.

"Byrd is one of the elite defensive prospects in this class." - Trotter
12) C Aiden Sherrell, Alabama
*Transferring from Alabama to Indiana*

Aiden Sherrell has all the physical tools to become a dominant two-way big; it’s just about putting it together consistently. The flashes as a pick-and-roll threat and floor spacer are real, and Indiana is banking on a breakout. If the body and focus come along, the ceiling is high.

"Sherrell has all the tools to be a terrifying two-way big man." - Trotter
13) C Moustapha Thiam, Cincinnati
*Transferring from Cincinnati to Michigan*

Moustapha Thiam impacts the game where it matters most, around the rim on both ends. His ability to protect, rebound, and step out offensively gives him a valuable modern big profile. If it all clicks, there’s legitimate pro upside here.

"Thiam can wreck the game on both sides of the floor." - Trotter
14) G Isaiah Johnson, Colorado
*Transferring from Colorado to Texas*

Isaiah Johnson plays at a different speed than most guards, and it shows when he gets downhill. He’s a blur in transition and a problem in the half-court with his ability to collapse defenses. Texas landed a guard who can take over stretches of a game.

"Johnson... can collapse the defense in a flash." - Trotter
15) G Stefan Vaaks, Providence
*Transferring from Providence to Illinois*

Stefan Vaaks is a tough cover simply because of his size and shot-making ability in the backcourt. He sees over defenses, navigates ball screens smoothly, and can stretch the floor well beyond the arc. Illinois is leaning into that offensive upside.

"Vaaks's combination of size, shooting, and playmaking is so tantalizing." - Trotter
16) F Donnie Freeman, Syracuse
*Transferring from Syracuse to St. John's*

Donnie Freeman remains one of the more intriguing bets in the portal because of what he could be. The tools are all there for a versatile forward who can handle, pass, and score. The next step is channeling it into consistent, winning basketball.

"The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward can do a little bit of everything, and when he plays with force, Freeman is nasty." - Trotter
17) G Dedan Thomas Jr., LSU
*Transferring from LSU to Houston*

Dedan Thomas Jr. is wired to run a team, plain and simple. His feel in pick-and-roll and ability to create for others stand out immediately when he’s healthy. Houston is getting a steady hand who fits exactly how they want to play.

"Thomas... has real shake, sky-high IQ, and unquestioned feel in pick-and-rolls." - Trotter
18) G Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
*Transferring from Oregon to Louisville*

Jackson Shelstad is a pure scorer who thrives on creating his own looks. Whether it’s off the bounce or pulling up in rhythm, he’s comfortable taking and making tough shots. Louisville brought him in to get buckets, and he will.

"Shelstad is a total bucket." - Trotter
19) G Terrence Hill Jr., VCU
*Transferring from VCU to Tennessee*

Terrence Hill Jr. plays an efficient, controlled brand of basketball that coaches love. He picks his spots, knocks down shots, and doesn’t beat himself with mistakes. Tennessee is adding a guard who can contribute right away without forcing the issue.

"Hill... can create something out of nothing while playing clean basketball." - Trotter
20) G Acaden Lewis, Villanova
*Transferring from Villanova to Miami*

Acaden Lewis has a mature feel for the position that shows up in how he controls tempo and reads defenses. He’s comfortable operating in pick-and-roll and knows how to get into the paint and finish. Miami may have found its next high-level floor general.

"Lewis... was one of the Big East's top freshmen from the jump." - Trotter
21) C Somto Cyril, Georgia
*Transferring from Georgia to Miami*

Somto Cyril brings rare physical tools that jump off the screen the moment he steps on the floor. He runs, protects the rim, and plays above it in ways few can. The polish isn’t there yet, but Miami is betting on the long-term payoff.

"Very few bigs in this portal haul have the physical tools that Cyril possesses." - Trotter
22) G Neoklis Avdalas, Virginia Tech
*Transferring from Virginia Tech to North Carolina*

Neoklis Avdalas is a fascinating upside swing with his size and playmaking ability. At 6-foot-9, he sees the game differently and can create mismatches as a secondary initiator. North Carolina is banking on development unlocking that potential.

"The combination of size, shooting, and playmaking is attractive." - Trotter
23) F JP Estrella, Tennessee
*Transferring from Tennessee to Michigan*

JP Estrella feels like a breakout candidate if he stays on the floor. His motor on the glass and touch around the rim give him a strong foundation to build on. Michigan could be the place where it all comes together.

"Estrella... screams breakout if he can stay healthy." - Trotter
24) G Markus Burton, Notre Dame
*Transferring from Notre Dame to Indiana*

Markus Burton doesn’t overwhelm with size, but his scoring craft more than makes up for it. He lives in the midrange and thrives on making tough shots under pressure. Indiana needed a guard who could get a bucket, and Burton fits the bill.

"Burton is one of the most dangerous midrange artists in the game." - Trotter
25) G Jalen Haralson, Notre Dame
*Transferring from Notre Dame to Tennessee*

Jalen Haralson is a downhill force who uses his size to bully defenders and get where he wants. When he’s attacking, he’s tough to contain, especially in pick-and-roll situations. The jumper is the swing skill that will define his ceiling.

"Haralson... is always looking to punish defenders with downhill, slippery drives." - Trotter
26) C Mo Sylla, Georgia Tech
*Transferring from Georgia Tech to West Virginia*

Mo Sylla is still more projection than production, but the upside is easy to see. He moves well, defends multiple actions, and brings real energy to the frontcourt. West Virginia is taking a swing at what he can become.

"Sylla... is brimming with upside." - Trotter
27) G Zoom Diallo, Washington
*Transferring from Washington to Kentucky*

Zoom Diallo plays with a decisiveness that separates him from most guards. He knows when to attack, when to facilitate, and rarely wastes possessions. Kentucky is getting a guard who can stabilize and produce.

"Diallo plays a decisive brand of basketball." - Trotter
28) C Najai Hines, Seton Hall
*Transferring from Seton Hall to UConn*

Najai Hines makes his living protecting the rim and anchoring the paint. His timing and instincts allow him to impact shots without elite vertical pop. UConn is adding a long-term piece with serious defensive upside.

"Hines makes up for it with excellent timing and hand-eye coordination." - Trotter
29) G Cruz Davis, Hofstra
*Transferring from Hofstra to Texas Tech*

Cruz Davis is one of the more dynamic creators in the portal, capable of breaking down defenders in a variety of ways. His handle, balance, and shot-making give him a deep offensive bag of tricks. Texas Tech is getting a guard who can run the show.

"Davis has so much wiggle and a ton of game." - Trotter
30) G Kayden Mingo, Penn State
*Transferring from Penn State to Baylor*

Kayden Mingo brings size and control to the point guard position, making him a steady presence at both ends of the floor. He gets into the paint, makes smart reads, and competes defensively. Baylor is adding a guard who can organize everything.

"Mingo is a true set-the-table point guard with positional size and defensive chops." - Trotter
1) F Flory Bidunga, Kansas
*Transferring from Kansas to Louisville*

Flory Bidunga is the kind of interior force that changes a defense overnight. Louisville didn’t just land production; they landed a tone-setter who lives above the rim and erases mistakes on the back end. If it clicks, he’s got real ACC Defensive Player of the Year juice.

"Bidunga is a pogo-stick leaper... an elite defensive prospect who is switchable, mobile and highly disruptive." - Trotter

CBS Sports Ranks the Top 30 Transfers in the College Basketball Transfer Portal

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