Michigan just won the national championship with five starters who began their careers elsewhere. College free agency has become an integral part of roster building, and the ability to make quick assessments on players is as important as ever.
At The Athletic, we try to give insightful, researched analysis of the best players available, using film, occasional input from coaches or NBA scouts and our own prior knowledge to shape our scouting reports and rankings. We consider remaining eligibility, positional scarcity — so wings with size and bigs are more valuable than a scoring guard — and the ability to contribute to winning. Counting stats matter, but they’re not everything.
These rankings will be continuously updated, with more players entering the portal by the hour. We will also look for players we may have missed and may make some changes to rankings based on new information.
Here are the best of the best available in 2026:
Loading
Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 235
Bidunga is the best player in the transfer portal and will likely remain the best player when the dust settles. The Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year has a real case as the most versatile defender in college basketball. The Congolese big man plays hard all of the time and set the tone for Kansas this season with that constant source of energy. He can slide with guards in a variety of ball-screen coverages, from straight switches to blitzes or hard hedges. Or, he can play in drop and does a solid job of swallowing up drivers by using his long arms. Bidunga led the Big 12 in blocks at 2.6 per game. Bidunga was definitely in my personal top three defenders this season.
Offensively, things are more complicated. Bidunga knows his role and only took nine shots per game this season. He’s an elite offensive rebounder who creates chances for himself. As a post player, Bidunga’s go-to move is a lefty hook shot from within six. By and large, he does take advantage of his opportunities at the rim. Just don’t expect to call on him to do more than that. His hands can let him down occasionally, and while he’s not a selfish player, I wouldn’t say that he diagnoses the court quickly.
Bidunga is also declaring for the draft. He’s seen as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick, with questions about his offensive fit and size as a center. If he does decide to play at Louisville he’ll very likely make at least double what he’d be projected to get in the NBA next season.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 235
Bidunga is the best player in the transfer portal and will likely remain the best player when the dust settles. The Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year has a real case as the most versatile defender in college basketball. The Congolese big man plays hard all of the time and set the tone for Kansas this season with that constant source of energy. He can slide with guards in a variety of ball-screen coverages, from straight switches to blitzes or hard hedges. Or, he can play in drop and does a solid job of swallowing up drivers by using his long arms. Bidunga led the Big 12 in blocks at 2.6 per game. Bidunga was definitely in my personal top three defenders this season.
Offensively, things are more complicated. Bidunga knows his role and only took nine shots per game this season. He’s an elite offensive rebounder who creates chances for himself. As a post player, Bidunga’s go-to move is a lefty hook shot from within six. By and large, he does take advantage of his opportunities at the rim. Just don’t expect to call on him to do more than that. His hands can let him down occasionally, and while he’s not a selfish player, I wouldn’t say that he diagnoses the court quickly.
Bidunga is also declaring for the draft. He’s seen as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick, with questions about his offensive fit and size as a center. If he does decide to play at Louisville he’ll very likely make at least double what he’d be projected to get in the NBA next season.
Forward
Committed
Kansas
Louisville
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 200
Harris was one of the better pure wing scorers in the nation, drilling a bevy of incredibly difficult shots due to the lack of help he had around him this season. But more than just the sheer volume, it was the way Harris scored that has NBA scouts highly intrigued. Harris got to the line an awful lot, averaging 7.1 free throw attempts per game largely off of straight line drives. Harris also started to show some real dexterity as a ball-screen scorer who could create his own momentum or could be used in dribble-hand-offs to attack. On top of that, Harris also showed real talent for hitting shots off screening actions, drilling 40 percent of his 3s in that situation, as well as making 12 midrange jumpers.
Yes, Harris needs to improve the way he sees the court as a passer and decision-maker. He took an awful lot of tough shots this season, often when teammates were open. Additionally, the amount of offensive load seemed to wear on him defensively, as he wasn’t always the most engaged off-ball defender. But if you put him next to better talent around him, I’m betting we see Harris average fewer than 20 points, but his efficiency will skyrocket.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 200
Harris was one of the better pure wing scorers in the nation, drilling a bevy of incredibly difficult shots due to the lack of help he had around him this season. But more than just the sheer volume, it was the way Harris scored that has NBA scouts highly intrigued. Harris got to the line an awful lot, averaging 7.1 free throw attempts per game largely off of straight line drives. Harris also started to show some real dexterity as a ball-screen scorer who could create his own momentum or could be used in dribble-hand-offs to attack. On top of that, Harris also showed real talent for hitting shots off screening actions, drilling 40 percent of his 3s in that situation, as well as making 12 midrange jumpers.
Yes, Harris needs to improve the way he sees the court as a passer and decision-maker. He took an awful lot of tough shots this season, often when teammates were open. Additionally, the amount of offensive load seemed to wear on him defensively, as he wasn’t always the most engaged off-ball defender. But if you put him next to better talent around him, I’m betting we see Harris average fewer than 20 points, but his efficiency will skyrocket.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200
One half of the highest-scoring backcourt in the country, Blackwell will hit the transfer portal and look for a new home after a third-team All-Big Ten season in what was the most loaded conference in college basketball. Blackwell is a proven big-game player; in the last two seasons, in his three NCAA Tourney games, Blackwell is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field. He’s morphed into a high-volume sniper from distance, drilling 38.9 percent from 3 on over seven attempts per game this season. He’s absolutely lethal off of the catch and on the move, hitting 44.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this year, showing the ability to make them in spot-ups, off of hand-offs or off screens. He’s also absolutely lethal as a trailer. I also think he can be physical and tough on defense when it’s required.
What are the downsides? Well, Blackwell has never really turned into a point guard, which means that you’re probably going to have to play him next to a real ballhandler to get the most out of your lineups, which also means the team could be a touch smaller when he’s on the court. Having said that, Blackwell is a proven high-major all-conference player, and those players are in short supply. He will be paid handsomely for the certainty he provides an organization that pays him.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200
One half of the highest-scoring backcourt in the country, Blackwell will hit the transfer portal and look for a new home after a third-team All-Big Ten season in what was the most loaded conference in college basketball. Blackwell is a proven big-game player; in the last two seasons, in his three NCAA Tourney games, Blackwell is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field. He’s morphed into a high-volume sniper from distance, drilling 38.9 percent from 3 on over seven attempts per game this season. He’s absolutely lethal off of the catch and on the move, hitting 44.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this year, showing the ability to make them in spot-ups, off of hand-offs or off screens. He’s also absolutely lethal as a trailer. I also think he can be physical and tough on defense when it’s required.
What are the downsides? Well, Blackwell has never really turned into a point guard, which means that you’re probably going to have to play him next to a real ballhandler to get the most out of your lineups, which also means the team could be a touch smaller when he’s on the court. Having said that, Blackwell is a proven high-major all-conference player, and those players are in short supply. He will be paid handsomely for the certainty he provides an organization that pays him.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference Upside
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
When the best shooter in the country enters the portal, it makes waves. Momcilovic, who is also going through the NBA Draft process, was a sniper from all over the court last season, but it is his highly flammable 3-point shooting that completely changes the game for his team. He led the country in both 3-pointers made (136) and 3-point percentage (48.7), a feat that has not been matched in the past 15 seasons. His high release is almost behind his head, and at 6-8, that makes his shot nearly unblockable. He can shoot off screens or off the bounce. He can also get hot as a mid-post scorer; his fadeaway jumper is another unstoppable weapon.
Momcilovic’s defense grades out better than you’d expect for such an elite shooter: The Cyclones’ defense was 6.6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics. His size and smarts help him be in the right place most of the time. Still, Momcilovic’s auxiliary skills are generally nonexistent. He cannot create for others, he is largely invisible on the glass, and he did not create any disruption in a defensive scheme based almost entirely built around breeding chaos. Still, though, his combination of shooting efficiency and volume at his size combination is so impossibly rare that he instantly vaults near the top of these portal rankings.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
When the best shooter in the country enters the portal, it makes waves. Momcilovic, who is also going through the NBA Draft process, was a sniper from all over the court last season, but it is his highly flammable 3-point shooting that completely changes the game for his team. He led the country in both 3-pointers made (136) and 3-point percentage (48.7), a feat that has not been matched in the past 15 seasons. His high release is almost behind his head, and at 6-8, that makes his shot nearly unblockable. He can shoot off screens or off the bounce. He can also get hot as a mid-post scorer; his fadeaway jumper is another unstoppable weapon.
Momcilovic’s defense grades out better than you’d expect for such an elite shooter: The Cyclones’ defense was 6.6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics. His size and smarts help him be in the right place most of the time. Still, Momcilovic’s auxiliary skills are generally nonexistent. He cannot create for others, he is largely invisible on the glass, and he did not create any disruption in a defensive scheme based almost entirely built around breeding chaos. Still, though, his combination of shooting efficiency and volume at his size combination is so impossibly rare that he instantly vaults near the top of these portal rankings.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
In Portal
Iowa State
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 220
Graves burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman at Santa Clara this year, helping the Broncos earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. He epitomizes versatility and is an elite disruptor on defense. Per KenPom, he ranked No. 196 nationally in block rate and No. 7 in steal rate. Offensively, he displayed a wide assortment of roles and his burgeoning jumper 41.3 percent from 3 and outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio demonstrate his tremendous feel.
If we’re nitpicking, his on/off numbers, Santa Clara was 4.8 points better on that end per 100 possessions when he was on the bench, per CBB Analytics. The steal and block rates are gaudy, but he still needs to add some strength and improve his positional discipline. Offensively, he will need to improve at creating his own shot.
.
If you’re looking for a high-end comparison, his statistical profile is not too far off from Yaxel Lendeborg, arguably the best transfer in the country this season. Graves will be in wildly high demand — assuming he does not go the NBA route.
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 220
Graves burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman at Santa Clara this year, helping the Broncos earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. He epitomizes versatility and is an elite disruptor on defense. Per KenPom, he ranked No. 196 nationally in block rate and No. 7 in steal rate. Offensively, he displayed a wide assortment of roles and his burgeoning jumper 41.3 percent from 3 and outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio demonstrate his tremendous feel.
If we’re nitpicking, his on/off numbers, Santa Clara was 4.8 points better on that end per 100 possessions when he was on the bench, per CBB Analytics. The steal and block rates are gaudy, but he still needs to add some strength and improve his positional discipline. Offensively, he will need to improve at creating his own shot.
.
If you’re looking for a high-end comparison, his statistical profile is not too far off from Yaxel Lendeborg, arguably the best transfer in the country this season. Graves will be in wildly high demand — assuming he does not go the NBA route.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
In Portal
Santa Clara
Ht: 6-9Wt: 240
The box score stats for Punch won’t blow you away. But the key is not the big numbers; it’s the diversity of skillset that he brings to the table. Punch is a terrific 4 man in college basketball who does a little bit of everything. It starts on the defensive end where Punch carries his 240-pound frame well and is a physical defender who can switch onto opposing perimeter players and be an aggressive rim protector. He blocked 1.9 shots and grabbed 1.3 steals per game, due to great effort and terrific hand-eye coordination.
On offense, Punch was TCU’s leading scorer by getting out in transition, attacking downhill off of the catch, and through quick post-ups against switches. He’s sharp in the dunker spot, and can even occasionally break down a player off the bounce if it’s a mismatch by driving downhill. He grabs two offensive rebounds per game, too.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 240
The box score stats for Punch won’t blow you away. But the key is not the big numbers; it’s the diversity of skillset that he brings to the table. Punch is a terrific 4 man in college basketball who does a little bit of everything. It starts on the defensive end where Punch carries his 240-pound frame well and is a physical defender who can switch onto opposing perimeter players and be an aggressive rim protector. He blocked 1.9 shots and grabbed 1.3 steals per game, due to great effort and terrific hand-eye coordination.
On offense, Punch was TCU’s leading scorer by getting out in transition, attacking downhill off of the catch, and through quick post-ups against switches. He’s sharp in the dunker spot, and can even occasionally break down a player off the bounce if it’s a mismatch by driving downhill. He grabs two offensive rebounds per game, too.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
The nation’s No. 4 scorer this past season, Haggerty is one of the best pure bucket-getters in the entire country. Nearly 64 percent of his field goal attempts coming in the paint this season, and he converts 72.1 percent of his shots around the basket, per CBB Analytics. His best skill, though, is drawing contact. In three full college seasons, he has taken a staggering 776 free throws and will likely end his career in the top 10 in the history of the sport in that statistic.
Haggerty is on his fifth Division I school in five years. He has only impacted winning once, helping 2025 Memphis earn a No. 5 seed, but those Tigers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. His efficiency has dropped sharply against top competition at both Kansas State and Memphis. Per CBB Analytics, Kansas State was better this season with him off the floor.
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
The nation’s No. 4 scorer this past season, Haggerty is one of the best pure bucket-getters in the entire country. Nearly 64 percent of his field goal attempts coming in the paint this season, and he converts 72.1 percent of his shots around the basket, per CBB Analytics. His best skill, though, is drawing contact. In three full college seasons, he has taken a staggering 776 free throws and will likely end his career in the top 10 in the history of the sport in that statistic.
Haggerty is on his fifth Division I school in five years. He has only impacted winning once, helping 2025 Memphis earn a No. 5 seed, but those Tigers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. His efficiency has dropped sharply against top competition at both Kansas State and Memphis. Per CBB Analytics, Kansas State was better this season with him off the floor.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Kansas State
Texas A&M
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Shelstad was a three-year starter for the Ducks while playing as an Oregon native for his home state’s team. He suffered a hand injury in December that sidelined him for the new year, but he was well on his way to a potential All-Big Ten season. You could look at the 39.1 percent field goal percentage this year and be worried, but he’s been a consistent finisher despite his size at Oregon. He upped his 3-point volume immensely this season, and a 1-for-11 game from distance against Auburn held down his percentages.
Shelstad is a terrific floor general and was a tremendous late-game creator, drilling multiple huge late-game shots to carry the Ducks to wins. He’s undeniably one of the best guards available and will be sought after by the highest-level programs seeking a guard who can calm things down, limit turnovers, and create shots.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Shelstad was a three-year starter for the Ducks while playing as an Oregon native for his home state’s team. He suffered a hand injury in December that sidelined him for the new year, but he was well on his way to a potential All-Big Ten season. You could look at the 39.1 percent field goal percentage this year and be worried, but he’s been a consistent finisher despite his size at Oregon. He upped his 3-point volume immensely this season, and a 1-for-11 game from distance against Auburn held down his percentages.
Shelstad is a terrific floor general and was a tremendous late-game creator, drilling multiple huge late-game shots to carry the Ducks to wins. He’s undeniably one of the best guards available and will be sought after by the highest-level programs seeking a guard who can calm things down, limit turnovers, and create shots.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Oregon
Louisville
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 225
The Lithuanian skilled 4 man has just gotten progressively better throughout every season of his career, culminating in him being the best player on an NCAA Tournament team at Saint Mary’s this past year who averaged 18 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 48 percent from the field on one of the slowest-paced teams in the country. Randy Bennett used him very effectively as a mid-post scorer who could exploit less-gifted players on the block with his size or speed, and as a triple-threat catch-and-shoot weapon.
Murauskas will fit best in a slower offense that grinds out possessions and relies on strong decision-making with effective movement to get him loose. Teams that run sets regularly as opposed to read and react offenses should look into Murauskas, as he could challenge for an All-American berth as a senior in the right location.
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 225
The Lithuanian skilled 4 man has just gotten progressively better throughout every season of his career, culminating in him being the best player on an NCAA Tournament team at Saint Mary’s this past year who averaged 18 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 48 percent from the field on one of the slowest-paced teams in the country. Randy Bennett used him very effectively as a mid-post scorer who could exploit less-gifted players on the block with his size or speed, and as a triple-threat catch-and-shoot weapon.
Murauskas will fit best in a slower offense that grinds out possessions and relies on strong decision-making with effective movement to get him loose. Teams that run sets regularly as opposed to read and react offenses should look into Murauskas, as he could challenge for an All-American berth as a senior in the right location.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
In Portal
Saint Mary’s
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 210
The Estonian native came to college basketball this season and was exceptionally productive as a jumbo guard for the Friars. There is very little that Vaaks isn’t capable of as a playmaker at that size. His dribble, pass and shoot abilities are quite real, even if he’s still working through how to utilize all of his tools. He’s dynamic in ball-screens, can drill shots off movement where he’s a volume gunner taking nearly nine attempts per game, and can also throw passes. It’s not hard to squint and see NBA upside.
The issue? Vaaks might have been the worst defensive player in the Big East. He consistently got beaten off the bounce, and his engagement levels weren’t at the level they consistently needed to be at. He was a major reason Providence had one of the worst defenses in high-major basketball, and the Friars were six points worse per 100 possessions on defense with him on the court. The team that recruits him will need a strong defensive infrastructure. With that said, expect a significant high-major program to bet on his ceiling, where he could easily turn into an all-conference player as soon as next year.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 210
The Estonian native came to college basketball this season and was exceptionally productive as a jumbo guard for the Friars. There is very little that Vaaks isn’t capable of as a playmaker at that size. His dribble, pass and shoot abilities are quite real, even if he’s still working through how to utilize all of his tools. He’s dynamic in ball-screens, can drill shots off movement where he’s a volume gunner taking nearly nine attempts per game, and can also throw passes. It’s not hard to squint and see NBA upside.
The issue? Vaaks might have been the worst defensive player in the Big East. He consistently got beaten off the bounce, and his engagement levels weren’t at the level they consistently needed to be at. He was a major reason Providence had one of the worst defenses in high-major basketball, and the Friars were six points worse per 100 possessions on defense with him on the court. The team that recruits him will need a strong defensive infrastructure. With that said, expect a significant high-major program to bet on his ceiling, where he could easily turn into an all-conference player as soon as next year.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Providence
Illinois
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 190
Undoubtedly one of the best two-way wings to hit the transfer portal this cycle. Byrd has been on the NBA’s radar for the last two years due to his disruptive defensive play and willingness to take 3s. He won the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year award this past season due to his quickness, length and hand-eye coordination, flying around the court in help situations and averaging 1.9 steals to go with 1.2 blocks per game. Any defense in the country will be drastically helped by his presence, as he’s capable of guarding across the perimeter spectrum from 1 through 3 with ease.
The bigger questions come on offense. Byrd has always been a very willing shooter. However, he’s never really made shots. He’s a career 30.5 percent 3-point shooter on 400 attempts in his career. San Diego State’s offense is rather archaic, and many of these shots end up being a bit more contested than normal. He’s also not all that strong and can struggle to deal with contact on his drives. But if a team has high-level creators, Byrd could flourish on offense with some offseason improvement and be one of the best two-way wings in the country.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 190
Undoubtedly one of the best two-way wings to hit the transfer portal this cycle. Byrd has been on the NBA’s radar for the last two years due to his disruptive defensive play and willingness to take 3s. He won the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year award this past season due to his quickness, length and hand-eye coordination, flying around the court in help situations and averaging 1.9 steals to go with 1.2 blocks per game. Any defense in the country will be drastically helped by his presence, as he’s capable of guarding across the perimeter spectrum from 1 through 3 with ease.
The bigger questions come on offense. Byrd has always been a very willing shooter. However, he’s never really made shots. He’s a career 30.5 percent 3-point shooter on 400 attempts in his career. San Diego State’s offense is rather archaic, and many of these shots end up being a bit more contested than normal. He’s also not all that strong and can struggle to deal with contact on his drives. But if a team has high-level creators, Byrd could flourish on offense with some offseason improvement and be one of the best two-way wings in the country.
Guard
Signed
San Diego State
Providence
Ht: 7-2Wt: 250
Thiam played his freshman season at UCF and then transferred to play his sophomore year at Cincinnati. He helped the Bearcats finish 10th in adjusted defense and is a presence with his length. Offensively, he’s more raw. He’s best as a cutter and roller when he can just catch and finish. He’s capable of making a jumper, but he’s a little too trigger-happy and very streaky. It’s an awkward release, and he’s shot 29 percent from 3 in two seasons, averaging two attempts per game.
With his back to the basket, he struggles to hold his ground and can get pushed off his spot. He can always get his shot off with either a jump hook or turnaround, but he’s not super efficient — 0.88 points per possession on post-ups, per Synergy. He gets in trouble when he tries to back his man down, often losing his dribble in those scenarios. But the defense is real, and he was productive for Cincy.
Ht: 7-2Wt: 250
Thiam played his freshman season at UCF and then transferred to play his sophomore year at Cincinnati. He helped the Bearcats finish 10th in adjusted defense and is a presence with his length. Offensively, he’s more raw. He’s best as a cutter and roller when he can just catch and finish. He’s capable of making a jumper, but he’s a little too trigger-happy and very streaky. It’s an awkward release, and he’s shot 29 percent from 3 in two seasons, averaging two attempts per game.
With his back to the basket, he struggles to hold his ground and can get pushed off his spot. He can always get his shot off with either a jump hook or turnaround, but he’s not super efficient — 0.88 points per possession on post-ups, per Synergy. He gets in trouble when he tries to back his man down, often losing his dribble in those scenarios. But the defense is real, and he was productive for Cincy.
Center
In Portal
Cincinnati
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Hill couldn’t have asked for a better spotlight on him than his Round of 64 game against North Carolina, where the 6-foot-3 guard dominated the Tar Heels in front of the world with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists that included a massive run during the team’s 19-point comeback in the second half. But that wasn’t all Hill did this season. He was a first-team All-Atlantic-10 as a dynamic scorer. He drilled 37 percent of his six 3-point attempts per game this season both of the pull-up and catch-and-shoot variety.
He is more combo guard than lead, but he’s so explosive as a scorer that teams with good wings and bigs who can pass could make it work. He’s a good ball-screen playmaker, but I actually like him best off of the catch, where he can knock down shots from distance or attack off of the bounce. I love the way he uses the threat of his shot to attack defenders.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Hill couldn’t have asked for a better spotlight on him than his Round of 64 game against North Carolina, where the 6-foot-3 guard dominated the Tar Heels in front of the world with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists that included a massive run during the team’s 19-point comeback in the second half. But that wasn’t all Hill did this season. He was a first-team All-Atlantic-10 as a dynamic scorer. He drilled 37 percent of his six 3-point attempts per game this season both of the pull-up and catch-and-shoot variety.
He is more combo guard than lead, but he’s so explosive as a scorer that teams with good wings and bigs who can pass could make it work. He’s a good ball-screen playmaker, but I actually like him best off of the catch, where he can knock down shots from distance or attack off of the bounce. I love the way he uses the threat of his shot to attack defenders.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Johnson toiled in relative obscurity at Colorado, but his tremendous shot-making and complementary skills make him an enticing upside play after a highly productive freshman campaign. He shot well on catch and shoot attempts (75th percentile, per Synergy) and dribble jumpers (85th percentile) while doing both at a fairly high volume, and his easy lefty stroke certainly passes the eye test. He also lived at the free throw line, ranking 110th nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. He knows how to invite contact and earn free points.
The question is whether Johnson can handle being a full-time point guard at the power conference level or if he is an undersized combo guard. He was excellent as a scorer in ball screens (88th percentile), but he is wired more to get his own shot than to create for others. If he cannot hold up as a point guard, his size and subsequent defensive limitations will limit his overall effectiveness.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Johnson toiled in relative obscurity at Colorado, but his tremendous shot-making and complementary skills make him an enticing upside play after a highly productive freshman campaign. He shot well on catch and shoot attempts (75th percentile, per Synergy) and dribble jumpers (85th percentile) while doing both at a fairly high volume, and his easy lefty stroke certainly passes the eye test. He also lived at the free throw line, ranking 110th nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. He knows how to invite contact and earn free points.
The question is whether Johnson can handle being a full-time point guard at the power conference level or if he is an undersized combo guard. He was excellent as a scorer in ball screens (88th percentile), but he is wired more to get his own shot than to create for others. If he cannot hold up as a point guard, his size and subsequent defensive limitations will limit his overall effectiveness.
Guard
Committed
Colorado
Texas
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
NBA scouts are genuinely intrigued by Able, who has decided to declare for the draft in addition to hitting the portal. Why would they be interested in a freshman who shot 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3? Honestly, it’s fairly easy to dismiss the inconsistencies of his freshman season while placing some blame on what seemed to be a total mess in Raleigh this year under Will Wade, where the team was talented but never seemed to gel. For his part, Able got better as the year went on, averaging 10.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3 in his final 12 games.
He clearly has terrific touch and can hit shots from all three levels of the court, and at 6-6, he has the exact kind of size that you’re looking for from a guard. Beyond that, I actually liked his defensive engagement and intensity, as he seemed to have great timing jumping passing lanes, averaging 1.2 steals in just 21 minutes per night. Essentially, from a scouting perspective with Able, everything looks the way it’s supposed to look, and scouts were left wondering throughout the year why Will Wade didn’t play him more consistently. I’m betting on a big leap in his new environment, wherever that may be.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
NBA scouts are genuinely intrigued by Able, who has decided to declare for the draft in addition to hitting the portal. Why would they be interested in a freshman who shot 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3? Honestly, it’s fairly easy to dismiss the inconsistencies of his freshman season while placing some blame on what seemed to be a total mess in Raleigh this year under Will Wade, where the team was talented but never seemed to gel. For his part, Able got better as the year went on, averaging 10.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3 in his final 12 games.
He clearly has terrific touch and can hit shots from all three levels of the court, and at 6-6, he has the exact kind of size that you’re looking for from a guard. Beyond that, I actually liked his defensive engagement and intensity, as he seemed to have great timing jumping passing lanes, averaging 1.2 steals in just 21 minutes per night. Essentially, from a scouting perspective with Able, everything looks the way it’s supposed to look, and scouts were left wondering throughout the year why Will Wade didn’t play him more consistently. I’m betting on a big leap in his new environment, wherever that may be.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 195
Mingo is a former top-50 recruit who had a tremendous freshman season at Penn State. NBA scouts have interest in tracking his development as a big, long guard who is athletic, sharp on offense as a decision-maker, and can really defend. An excellent slasher, Mingo plays with great bend and flexibility to out-leverage his opponents while also maintaining the strength to absorb bumps from defenders. He also possesses a nice in-between game with pull-ups and awkward little floaters. The big issue with Mingo is that he needs to shoot from distance at some point. He’s long been a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter.
One important wrinkle worth noting is Mingo’s brother, Dylan, a top-five recruit in the 2026 class who is unattached to a school. However, if the brothers want to play together, their games aren’t complementary of one another since they’re both weak shooters from distance. It’ll be interesting to see if they choose to stay apart or play together.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 195
Mingo is a former top-50 recruit who had a tremendous freshman season at Penn State. NBA scouts have interest in tracking his development as a big, long guard who is athletic, sharp on offense as a decision-maker, and can really defend. An excellent slasher, Mingo plays with great bend and flexibility to out-leverage his opponents while also maintaining the strength to absorb bumps from defenders. He also possesses a nice in-between game with pull-ups and awkward little floaters. The big issue with Mingo is that he needs to shoot from distance at some point. He’s long been a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter.
One important wrinkle worth noting is Mingo’s brother, Dylan, a top-five recruit in the 2026 class who is unattached to a school. However, if the brothers want to play together, their games aren’t complementary of one another since they’re both weak shooters from distance. It’ll be interesting to see if they choose to stay apart or play together.
Guard
Committed
Penn State
Baylor
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Burton is a small-but-lethal lead guard scorer who excels at creating his own shot. His junior season was cut short by injury after just 10 games, but as a sophomore, he averaged 23.5 PPG in ACC play on 44.5 percent shooting from the field (40.2 percent from deep) en route to a second team All-ACC slot. He’s outstanding in both pick-and-roll (87th percentile in efficiency as a scorer, per Synergy) and isolation (90th percentile).
He is especially effective off the bounce, cashing in on pull-ups at excellent rates for two straight years. In ball screens, his numbers dip noticeably when opponents force him to be a passer, but that could say more about his Notre Dame teammates, as he does show some impressive reads. At his smaller stature, he can really struggle if the defense hedges hard with length.Burton’s size makes him a target defensively at times. He plays hard and has solid instincts, and he actually grades out will via defensive analytics (97th percentile in DRAPM, per CBB Analytics). But opponents can go at him in targeted mismatches or via switches.
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Burton is a small-but-lethal lead guard scorer who excels at creating his own shot. His junior season was cut short by injury after just 10 games, but as a sophomore, he averaged 23.5 PPG in ACC play on 44.5 percent shooting from the field (40.2 percent from deep) en route to a second team All-ACC slot. He’s outstanding in both pick-and-roll (87th percentile in efficiency as a scorer, per Synergy) and isolation (90th percentile).
He is especially effective off the bounce, cashing in on pull-ups at excellent rates for two straight years. In ball screens, his numbers dip noticeably when opponents force him to be a passer, but that could say more about his Notre Dame teammates, as he does show some impressive reads. At his smaller stature, he can really struggle if the defense hedges hard with length.Burton’s size makes him a target defensively at times. He plays hard and has solid instincts, and he actually grades out will via defensive analytics (97th percentile in DRAPM, per CBB Analytics). But opponents can go at him in targeted mismatches or via switches.
Guard
Committed
Notre Dame
Indiana
Ht: 6-11Wt: 260
Cyril is a tremendous rim deterrent who swatted 2.2 per game. Opponents took three fewer shots per 40 minutes at the rim with Cyril on the court than off, as his tremendous size caused issues. You need to play him in drop coverage to get the most out of him on that end, but he’s terrific in that role. It would also be valuable to pair him with a strong defensive rebounder at the 4 who can go up and get the ball.
Offensively, Cyril is efficient but limited. He made a ridiculous 75.9 percent of his shots and dunked nearly 60 percent of his attempts at the rim. That is one of the highest dunk rates in the country, and if you can stop him from throwing it down, he only makes 57 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He also crashed the offensive glass hard. But overall, Cyril is big, good on defense, and knows what he is on offense. You can win a lot of games with him as your starting center, and he was the most impactful player on Georgia’s roster in terms of team performance.
Ht: 6-11Wt: 260
Cyril is a tremendous rim deterrent who swatted 2.2 per game. Opponents took three fewer shots per 40 minutes at the rim with Cyril on the court than off, as his tremendous size caused issues. You need to play him in drop coverage to get the most out of him on that end, but he’s terrific in that role. It would also be valuable to pair him with a strong defensive rebounder at the 4 who can go up and get the ball.
Offensively, Cyril is efficient but limited. He made a ridiculous 75.9 percent of his shots and dunked nearly 60 percent of his attempts at the rim. That is one of the highest dunk rates in the country, and if you can stop him from throwing it down, he only makes 57 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He also crashed the offensive glass hard. But overall, Cyril is big, good on defense, and knows what he is on offense. You can win a lot of games with him as your starting center, and he was the most impactful player on Georgia’s roster in terms of team performance.
Center
Committed
Georgia
Miami
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sherrell has great size and is capable of playing out on the perimeter. For such a big guy, he can flip his hips and re-screen fairly quickly. Whoever lands him is getting a player who has had a good education in the pick-and-roll game after two years at Alabama. He isn’t quick off the ground but has good touch. He’s also made 41 3s at a 33.6 percent clip in two seasons. He’s closer to average as a shooter but at least good enough that he can’t be left alone. He has the type of skill where it’s likely he’d have success as a back-to-the-basket scorer, but that’s just not something Alabama does.
Defensively, Sherrell moves his feet well for a guy of his build and can defend without fouling (3.5 fouls per 40 minutes). He defends with his chest, and you’re not moving him. He can block shots both on the ball and as a help-side defender and had an 8.5 percent block rate.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sherrell has great size and is capable of playing out on the perimeter. For such a big guy, he can flip his hips and re-screen fairly quickly. Whoever lands him is getting a player who has had a good education in the pick-and-roll game after two years at Alabama. He isn’t quick off the ground but has good touch. He’s also made 41 3s at a 33.6 percent clip in two seasons. He’s closer to average as a shooter but at least good enough that he can’t be left alone. He has the type of skill where it’s likely he’d have success as a back-to-the-basket scorer, but that’s just not something Alabama does.
Defensively, Sherrell moves his feet well for a guy of his build and can defend without fouling (3.5 fouls per 40 minutes). He defends with his chest, and you’re not moving him. He can block shots both on the ball and as a help-side defender and had an 8.5 percent block rate.
Forward
Committed
Alabama
Indiana
Ht: 6-5Wt: 190
McNeil is an absolute sniper from distance and showcased it this season under at NC State. His selling point is the 42.7 percent mark he hit from beyond the 3-point line on 7.2 attempts per game. He’s as versatile a shooter as you’ll find. Per Synergy, McNeil hit the third-most 3s in the country this year off of screens, and made those shots at a truly obscene 48.5 percent. That mark off of screens from 3 was the second-highest percentage among the top-50 players nationally in 3-pointers made off of screens, too. Given his volume and percentage, McNeil was the best shooter in the country this season shooting off movement.
McNeil certainly has a lot to work on. He needs to get stronger because he struggles quite a bit on defense right now. Also, you’d like to see McNeil’s game as a decision-maker improve, and he’s also not impressive as a driver. But McNeil’s ability to fire from distance is second-to-none.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 190
McNeil is an absolute sniper from distance and showcased it this season under at NC State. His selling point is the 42.7 percent mark he hit from beyond the 3-point line on 7.2 attempts per game. He’s as versatile a shooter as you’ll find. Per Synergy, McNeil hit the third-most 3s in the country this year off of screens, and made those shots at a truly obscene 48.5 percent. That mark off of screens from 3 was the second-highest percentage among the top-50 players nationally in 3-pointers made off of screens, too. Given his volume and percentage, McNeil was the best shooter in the country this season shooting off movement.
McNeil certainly has a lot to work on. He needs to get stronger because he struggles quite a bit on defense right now. Also, you’d like to see McNeil’s game as a decision-maker improve, and he’s also not impressive as a driver. But McNeil’s ability to fire from distance is second-to-none.
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 215
Avdalas took college basketball by storm in the opening weeks of the season. At 6-foot-8 with serious on-ball skills as a passer and playmaker, he looks the part of a future NBA player. However, he never quite sustained the level he showed when he dropped 33 points and six assists against Providence. In total for the season, Avdalas was not strong enough to consistently get to the rim and was not a good enough shooter to threaten defenses.
Still, there are just so many reasons to be excited about recruiting Avdalas. He’s an incredible passer at his size with an over 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. His playmaking out of ball screens particularly stands out for his pace and footwork. Defensively, he needs to get more engaged off the ball, but he’s big enough to hide. In the right scheme, where he has space to operate, he has All-American and certainly all-conference upside.
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 215
Avdalas took college basketball by storm in the opening weeks of the season. At 6-foot-8 with serious on-ball skills as a passer and playmaker, he looks the part of a future NBA player. However, he never quite sustained the level he showed when he dropped 33 points and six assists against Providence. In total for the season, Avdalas was not strong enough to consistently get to the rim and was not a good enough shooter to threaten defenses.
Still, there are just so many reasons to be excited about recruiting Avdalas. He’s an incredible passer at his size with an over 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. His playmaking out of ball screens particularly stands out for his pace and footwork. Defensively, he needs to get more engaged off the ball, but he’s big enough to hide. In the right scheme, where he has space to operate, he has All-American and certainly all-conference upside.
Guard
Committed
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 210
The Missouri Valley has a track record of producing strong transfers, and Lundblade should be no exception. After starting his career at TCU, Lundblade moved to Belmont in 2024-25 and became one of the best snipers in college basketball. In his two seasons with the Bruins, Lundblade drilled a truly ridiculous 44 percent of his 499 3-point attempts. He drills them off of movement or pull-ups, and became an extremely capable primary offensive weapon. He makes good decisions with the ball and is strong enough to guard. Coaching staffs will have to account for him with speed out there in case he gets beaten.
Already 24 years old, Lundblade will enter his seventh collegiate season. He declined a scholarship offer from Charlotte to chase a preferred walk-on role at SMU. He redshirted that season, but coach Tim Jankovich was fired and he decided to try his luck as a walk-on at TCU, where he eventually earned a scholarship. However, TCU pulled his scholarship, and Lundblade decided to pay his own way to play at Belmont.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 210
The Missouri Valley has a track record of producing strong transfers, and Lundblade should be no exception. After starting his career at TCU, Lundblade moved to Belmont in 2024-25 and became one of the best snipers in college basketball. In his two seasons with the Bruins, Lundblade drilled a truly ridiculous 44 percent of his 499 3-point attempts. He drills them off of movement or pull-ups, and became an extremely capable primary offensive weapon. He makes good decisions with the ball and is strong enough to guard. Coaching staffs will have to account for him with speed out there in case he gets beaten.
Already 24 years old, Lundblade will enter his seventh collegiate season. He declined a scholarship offer from Charlotte to chase a preferred walk-on role at SMU. He redshirted that season, but coach Tim Jankovich was fired and he decided to try his luck as a walk-on at TCU, where he eventually earned a scholarship. However, TCU pulled his scholarship, and Lundblade decided to pay his own way to play at Belmont.
Wing
Signed
Belmont
Tennessee
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 265
Hines is a big-bodied defensive player who profiles well towards winning basketball. He came off the bench to play 18 minutes per game for the Pirates, but quickly established himself as one of the best rim deterrents in the Eastern part of the country. Hines blocked 2.2 shots per game in those 18 minutes and was a constant presence at the basket. Opponents shot just 55 percent at the rim when he was on the court versus 61 percent when he was off of it, per CBB Analytics. But even beyond that, he’s balanced in his movements away from the rim and has no issues with his coordination. He’s not necessarily a switch defender, but he can scramble well. He was Seton Hall’s second-most impactful player in terms of impact when he was on the court behind Budd Clark.
Offensively, Hines is definitely a bit limited but knows his role and sticks to it. He rolls hard to the rim, crashes the offensive glass and is a good finisher when he gets his chances. He can’t really create his own shot, but he does have solid touch as a finisher on his layups. Hines just plays hard all the time and is the kind of big that every team should want. He should move into the starting lineup next season and provide a positive impact for UConn.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 265
Hines is a big-bodied defensive player who profiles well towards winning basketball. He came off the bench to play 18 minutes per game for the Pirates, but quickly established himself as one of the best rim deterrents in the Eastern part of the country. Hines blocked 2.2 shots per game in those 18 minutes and was a constant presence at the basket. Opponents shot just 55 percent at the rim when he was on the court versus 61 percent when he was off of it, per CBB Analytics. But even beyond that, he’s balanced in his movements away from the rim and has no issues with his coordination. He’s not necessarily a switch defender, but he can scramble well. He was Seton Hall’s second-most impactful player in terms of impact when he was on the court behind Budd Clark.
Offensively, Hines is definitely a bit limited but knows his role and sticks to it. He rolls hard to the rim, crashes the offensive glass and is a good finisher when he gets his chances. He can’t really create his own shot, but he does have solid touch as a finisher on his layups. Hines just plays hard all the time and is the kind of big that every team should want. He should move into the starting lineup next season and provide a positive impact for UConn.
Center
Committed
Seton Hall
Connecticut
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 240
Estrella mostly came off the bench for Tennessee this season behind Felix Okpara, but he did start 13 games as one of a rotating cast of bigs. The Vols were 11.3 points per 100 possessions better when Estrella was on the court versus when he was off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of his offensive skill. Estrella has good hands, helps to move the ball quickly, finishes efficiently around the rim and also plays hard by crashing the offensive glass. He shot 59.6 percent from the field while also grabbing 2.8 offensive rebounds per game in just 18 minutes per night.
Estrella can scale up his minute load in a different situation, and potentially flourish even more. He’s a smart positional defender who doesn’t give up much on that end, but it’s more about how his offense could progress further by getting into a more modern construction. He hit four 3s this past season, and looks to have the kind of jumper that might be able to flourish if he’s given some latitude to explore it. Estrella played three years at Tennessee but should have two seasons of eligibility after he missed most of last season with a left foot injury. However, it’s worth noting that the same foot injury did cause him to miss some time this season, too, with some soreness.
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 240
Estrella mostly came off the bench for Tennessee this season behind Felix Okpara, but he did start 13 games as one of a rotating cast of bigs. The Vols were 11.3 points per 100 possessions better when Estrella was on the court versus when he was off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of his offensive skill. Estrella has good hands, helps to move the ball quickly, finishes efficiently around the rim and also plays hard by crashing the offensive glass. He shot 59.6 percent from the field while also grabbing 2.8 offensive rebounds per game in just 18 minutes per night.
Estrella can scale up his minute load in a different situation, and potentially flourish even more. He’s a smart positional defender who doesn’t give up much on that end, but it’s more about how his offense could progress further by getting into a more modern construction. He hit four 3s this past season, and looks to have the kind of jumper that might be able to flourish if he’s given some latitude to explore it. Estrella played three years at Tennessee but should have two seasons of eligibility after he missed most of last season with a left foot injury. However, it’s worth noting that the same foot injury did cause him to miss some time this season, too, with some soreness.
Center
Committed
Tennessee
Michigan
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 205
An immensely talented former five-star recruit, Freeman is a mobile four-man who can score at all three levels thanks to his fluid athleticism and solid touch. Both of his first two seasons have been interrupted by injuries, but when on the court, he’s flashed the physical tools and skill level that made him such an enticing prospect coming out of IMG Academy. He is a savvy finisher around the bucket (73 percent at the rim, per CBB Analytics), and he knows how to use his physical tools to get to the charity stripe against inferior defenders.
Freeman’s motor does not always run hot, though, and he tends to fall in love with his jumper, which can be very hit or miss (particularly from beyond the arc). That is especially the case against top competition, and his efficiency tanked against the best opponents on Syracuse’s schedule. His shooting mechanics are sound, though, and he is a strong free-throw shooter, so the tantalizing potential remains. Maintaining that jumper while adding strength will be critical, as Freeman is still somewhat thin.
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 205
An immensely talented former five-star recruit, Freeman is a mobile four-man who can score at all three levels thanks to his fluid athleticism and solid touch. Both of his first two seasons have been interrupted by injuries, but when on the court, he’s flashed the physical tools and skill level that made him such an enticing prospect coming out of IMG Academy. He is a savvy finisher around the bucket (73 percent at the rim, per CBB Analytics), and he knows how to use his physical tools to get to the charity stripe against inferior defenders.
Freeman’s motor does not always run hot, though, and he tends to fall in love with his jumper, which can be very hit or miss (particularly from beyond the arc). That is especially the case against top competition, and his efficiency tanked against the best opponents on Syracuse’s schedule. His shooting mechanics are sound, though, and he is a strong free-throw shooter, so the tantalizing potential remains. Maintaining that jumper while adding strength will be critical, as Freeman is still somewhat thin.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Khamenia will try to find a different home after coming off the bench despite a five-star recruiting track record that led many to believe he was a potential one-and-done player. At 6-foot-8, Khamenia was asked to slot into a role next to Cameron Boozer and didn’t really get to showcase many of the skills that made him so sought after. In high school, there were few players who were a better combination of shooting and passing ability. He made rapid decisions from the wing and seemed like he could take on real usage or slot in next to stars.
I wouldn’t say this was a lost season for Khamenia, but we also probably didn’t get to see the full picture. I’d bet on Khamenia taking a big leap in his next landing spot, as he has all of the tools to be a wildly impactful college basketball player who likely goes on to the NBA.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Khamenia will try to find a different home after coming off the bench despite a five-star recruiting track record that led many to believe he was a potential one-and-done player. At 6-foot-8, Khamenia was asked to slot into a role next to Cameron Boozer and didn’t really get to showcase many of the skills that made him so sought after. In high school, there were few players who were a better combination of shooting and passing ability. He made rapid decisions from the wing and seemed like he could take on real usage or slot in next to stars.
I wouldn’t say this was a lost season for Khamenia, but we also probably didn’t get to see the full picture. I’d bet on Khamenia taking a big leap in his next landing spot, as he has all of the tools to be a wildly impactful college basketball player who likely goes on to the NBA.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Villanova rolled out the red carpet and gave Lewis the keys to the offense, who helped lead the team to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance. Their reward? Lewis decided to hit the transfer portal. A second-team All-Big East selection, Lewis brings NBA-level creativity and passing ability. He plays fast, and his vision is superb, finding open teammates at the rim with ease. He also deals well with contact at the rim, even if that hasn’t turned into free-throw attempts. Lewis isn’t a particularly good shooter right now. The lefty made just 58.3 percent of his free throws and 27 percent of his 3s. How he improves as a scorer will tell the tale of his future.
Another part of Lewis’ game that will tell his future? His defense. Lewis averaged 1.9 steals per game but was not good enough at the point of attack or as a rotational team defender. Willard clearly didn’t feel comfortable with him on defense in late-game situations. Lewis has real long-term upside, but there are flaws that teams will need to work through. Overall, Villanova was 6.4 points per 100 possessions worse when Lewis was on the court versus off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of that negative defensive impact.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Villanova rolled out the red carpet and gave Lewis the keys to the offense, who helped lead the team to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance. Their reward? Lewis decided to hit the transfer portal. A second-team All-Big East selection, Lewis brings NBA-level creativity and passing ability. He plays fast, and his vision is superb, finding open teammates at the rim with ease. He also deals well with contact at the rim, even if that hasn’t turned into free-throw attempts. Lewis isn’t a particularly good shooter right now. The lefty made just 58.3 percent of his free throws and 27 percent of his 3s. How he improves as a scorer will tell the tale of his future.
Another part of Lewis’ game that will tell his future? His defense. Lewis averaged 1.9 steals per game but was not good enough at the point of attack or as a rotational team defender. Willard clearly didn’t feel comfortable with him on defense in late-game situations. Lewis has real long-term upside, but there are flaws that teams will need to work through. Overall, Villanova was 6.4 points per 100 possessions worse when Lewis was on the court versus off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of that negative defensive impact.
Guard
Committed
Villanova
Miami
Ht: 7-1Wt: 230
Diop burst onto the scene immediately in Tempe, starting every game and impressing immensely with his mobility and athleticism. Diop’s speed makes him a terror in transition, and he should evolve into a tremendous lob threat in the pick-and-roll. He racked up 53 dunks on the season, and he posted a block rate of 8.5 percent in Big 12 play, good for No. 2 in the league. Per KenPom, two of his closest statistical comparisons are the freshman versions of Kel’el Ware and Ryan Kalkbrenner; following either trajectory would be an outstanding outcome for the Senegal native.
Diop needs to add strength and improve his rebounder. He can get bullied into bad position, and he cannot always anchor when physical opponents bump him off the block. He was acceptable as a post scorer for a freshman, but he struggled badly if the defense sent help, as evidenced by his 0.56 assist/turnover ratio. Still, the overall physical and skill package here is fascinating, and he could blossom into a star at his next stop.
Ht: 7-1Wt: 230
Diop burst onto the scene immediately in Tempe, starting every game and impressing immensely with his mobility and athleticism. Diop’s speed makes him a terror in transition, and he should evolve into a tremendous lob threat in the pick-and-roll. He racked up 53 dunks on the season, and he posted a block rate of 8.5 percent in Big 12 play, good for No. 2 in the league. Per KenPom, two of his closest statistical comparisons are the freshman versions of Kel’el Ware and Ryan Kalkbrenner; following either trajectory would be an outstanding outcome for the Senegal native.
Diop needs to add strength and improve his rebounder. He can get bullied into bad position, and he cannot always anchor when physical opponents bump him off the block. He was acceptable as a post scorer for a freshman, but he struggled badly if the defense sent help, as evidenced by his 0.56 assist/turnover ratio. Still, the overall physical and skill package here is fascinating, and he could blossom into a star at his next stop.
Center
In Portal
Arizona State
Ht: 6-7Wt: 220
A top 20 recruit in 2025 by RSCI, Haralson was incredibly productive as a freshman, albeit on extremely high usage and lacking some efficiency as a shooter. He shot 51.5 percent from the field but 67.4 percent from the charity stripe, and he only made five 3s all season at a dismal 20.0 percent. Haralson carried an immense burden for the disappointing Irish, who failed to qualify for the ACC tournament.
Haralson was likely miscast as the Fighting Irish’s primary playmaker once Markus Burton went down with an injury, resulting in him posting more turnovers (74) than assists (69) for the season. He has strong passing vision, but Notre Dame lacked creation without Burton, and opponents found it easy to swarm Haralson. He excels at attacking mismatches from the mid-post, where he can use his height to pick out open shooters and cutters. He needs to add some semblance of a jumper and would be better served playing next to more talent.
Ht: 6-7Wt: 220
A top 20 recruit in 2025 by RSCI, Haralson was incredibly productive as a freshman, albeit on extremely high usage and lacking some efficiency as a shooter. He shot 51.5 percent from the field but 67.4 percent from the charity stripe, and he only made five 3s all season at a dismal 20.0 percent. Haralson carried an immense burden for the disappointing Irish, who failed to qualify for the ACC tournament.
Haralson was likely miscast as the Fighting Irish’s primary playmaker once Markus Burton went down with an injury, resulting in him posting more turnovers (74) than assists (69) for the season. He has strong passing vision, but Notre Dame lacked creation without Burton, and opponents found it easy to swarm Haralson. He excels at attacking mismatches from the mid-post, where he can use his height to pick out open shooters and cutters. He needs to add some semblance of a jumper and would be better served playing next to more talent.
Wing
Committed
Notre Dame
Tennessee
Ht: 6-5Wt: 175
Wilikins has a real case as the best mid-major freshman guard hitting the transfer portal. He has real size and was a dynamic scorer and ballhandler for an NCAA Tournament team this year at Furman. He is terrific in ball screens, using his pace and crafty handle to get paint touches while getting all the way to the rim. His jumper could use a little bit of work after making only 32.8 percent from 3 last year, as he has a bit of a low shooting pocket with a pause once he gets into that area.
Still, Wilkins is expected to be priced among the most expensive guards in the portal this spring due to his age and production. He played incredibly well during their run in the SoCon Tournament and their NCAA Tournament game against Final Four participant UConn where he dropped 21 points.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 175
Wilikins has a real case as the best mid-major freshman guard hitting the transfer portal. He has real size and was a dynamic scorer and ballhandler for an NCAA Tournament team this year at Furman. He is terrific in ball screens, using his pace and crafty handle to get paint touches while getting all the way to the rim. His jumper could use a little bit of work after making only 32.8 percent from 3 last year, as he has a bit of a low shooting pocket with a pause once he gets into that area.
Still, Wilkins is expected to be priced among the most expensive guards in the portal this spring due to his age and production. He played incredibly well during their run in the SoCon Tournament and their NCAA Tournament game against Final Four participant UConn where he dropped 21 points.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Dixon has great feel and has real potential to be excellent working out of ball screens. He can make all of the reads and sees the floor well, helped by his size. He’s not a quick-burst guy but plays at his speed and gets to his spots. He shot 39.7 percent from 3 as a freshman. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists once he became a starter for the final 16 games. He wasn’t a great finisher around the basket — 28.1 percent at the rim on only 32 attempts — but that should improve some with time. It’s not easy to find a player with his combination of size, IQ and shooting.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Dixon has great feel and has real potential to be excellent working out of ball screens. He can make all of the reads and sees the floor well, helped by his size. He’s not a quick-burst guy but plays at his speed and gets to his spots. He shot 39.7 percent from 3 as a freshman. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists once he became a starter for the final 16 games. He wasn’t a great finisher around the basket — 28.1 percent at the rim on only 32 attempts — but that should improve some with time. It’s not easy to find a player with his combination of size, IQ and shooting.
Guard
Committed
North Carolina
Arizona
Ht: 6-1Wt: 168
The most promising thing about Petty’s freshman season: his numbers were almost identical to Christian Anderson’s from the year before. From offensive rating (Anderson’s 122.6 to Petty’s 119.6) to 3-point shooting (38 to 37.5 percent) to assists (both 2.2 per game) to points (10.6 to 9.9). Anderson, of course, became an All-America level point guard as a sophomore. Petty will likely be changing systems, so we’ll see.
Petty is a fearless scorer. He has a slingshot jumper, but gets a lot of lift off the ground, and it goes in. (He’s listed at 6-1, but I’m skeptical.) I’m not sure he has the passing ability of Anderson, but it’s hard to say because his role was more off the ball. He can get buckets, with the speed and creativity that always gives him separation to shoot. It will be hard to duplicate Anderson’s sophomore production, but he’s definitely a breakout candidate who has the game to justify a big usage jump.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 168
The most promising thing about Petty’s freshman season: his numbers were almost identical to Christian Anderson’s from the year before. From offensive rating (Anderson’s 122.6 to Petty’s 119.6) to 3-point shooting (38 to 37.5 percent) to assists (both 2.2 per game) to points (10.6 to 9.9). Anderson, of course, became an All-America level point guard as a sophomore. Petty will likely be changing systems, so we’ll see.
Petty is a fearless scorer. He has a slingshot jumper, but gets a lot of lift off the ground, and it goes in. (He’s listed at 6-1, but I’m skeptical.) I’m not sure he has the passing ability of Anderson, but it’s hard to say because his role was more off the ball. He can get buckets, with the speed and creativity that always gives him separation to shoot. It will be hard to duplicate Anderson’s sophomore production, but he’s definitely a breakout candidate who has the game to justify a big usage jump.
Guard
Committed
Texas Tech
UCLA
Ht: 7-1Wt: 260
Reibe struggled in the NCAA Tournament and he wasn’t quite ready to match the physicality of the truly elite teams, but in a thin center market, there’s some value in a guy who is 7-foot-1 who can move and has touch. The ball comes off his left hand soft and he made 69 percent of his 2s in a low-usage role. Defensively, he moves well enough that Dan Hurley had him hedging or playing at the level of ball screens. He needs to get stronger in his lower body and be able to hold his spot on both ends of the floor, but he’s only a freshman. There was a lot to like about his production last summer in the under-19 World Cup when he helped lead Germany to a silver medal, averaging 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Reibe also averaged 1.6 assists per game, and he’s able to step away and work out of DHOs and pick-and-pops on the perimeter.
Ht: 7-1Wt: 260
Reibe struggled in the NCAA Tournament and he wasn’t quite ready to match the physicality of the truly elite teams, but in a thin center market, there’s some value in a guy who is 7-foot-1 who can move and has touch. The ball comes off his left hand soft and he made 69 percent of his 2s in a low-usage role. Defensively, he moves well enough that Dan Hurley had him hedging or playing at the level of ball screens. He needs to get stronger in his lower body and be able to hold his spot on both ends of the floor, but he’s only a freshman. There was a lot to like about his production last summer in the under-19 World Cup when he helped lead Germany to a silver medal, averaging 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Reibe also averaged 1.6 assists per game, and he’s able to step away and work out of DHOs and pick-and-pops on the perimeter.
Ht: 6-2Wt: 200
Enis took the American by storm after arriving from Division II Lincoln Memorial, racking up 107 made 3s at 35.2 percent while also providing some secondary playmaking in the backcourt. A lethal lefty, he has a lightning-quick release and is a weapon hunting his shot in transition. He displayed some solid passing chops, as well, though he definitely should play alongside a pure point guard.
Enis may end up following his coach, Bryan Hodgson, from Tampa to Providence. He is clearly a Big East-caliber shooter, and that will remain his headlining skill. He did benefit from South Florida’s outstanding overall talent, getting a ton of spot-up catch and shoot looks compared to scoring off screens. He also struggled to knock down jumpers off the bounce and finished poorly at the rim, an area of his game that could get even worse in a power conference.
Ht: 6-2Wt: 200
Enis took the American by storm after arriving from Division II Lincoln Memorial, racking up 107 made 3s at 35.2 percent while also providing some secondary playmaking in the backcourt. A lethal lefty, he has a lightning-quick release and is a weapon hunting his shot in transition. He displayed some solid passing chops, as well, though he definitely should play alongside a pure point guard.
Enis may end up following his coach, Bryan Hodgson, from Tampa to Providence. He is clearly a Big East-caliber shooter, and that will remain his headlining skill. He did benefit from South Florida’s outstanding overall talent, getting a ton of spot-up catch and shoot looks compared to scoring off screens. He also struggled to knock down jumpers off the bounce and finished poorly at the rim, an area of his game that could get even worse in a power conference.
Guard
Committed
South Florida
Creighton
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Dawes played one season at Rice and has spent the last two years on losing teams at Utah, but he’s a guy who could be a winning player on a good team. Utah was 17 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, per CBB Analytics, and he’s coming off his best season yet. He’s an elite defensive rebounder, ranking top 31 in defensive rebounding rate each of the last two seasons. He has some real playmaking chops at 6-9 and is a smart cutter and roller.
The part of his game that he needs the most work on is his jump shot. He made a career-high 32 3s this past year but only at a 31.7 percent clip. He is efficient inside the line, making 68.9 percent of his 2s the last two years at Utah and shooting a solid 73.9 percent at the free throw line. For a low-usage guy, he produces and usually makes the right play.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Dawes played one season at Rice and has spent the last two years on losing teams at Utah, but he’s a guy who could be a winning player on a good team. Utah was 17 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, per CBB Analytics, and he’s coming off his best season yet. He’s an elite defensive rebounder, ranking top 31 in defensive rebounding rate each of the last two seasons. He has some real playmaking chops at 6-9 and is a smart cutter and roller.
The part of his game that he needs the most work on is his jump shot. He made a career-high 32 3s this past year but only at a 31.7 percent clip. He is efficient inside the line, making 68.9 percent of his 2s the last two years at Utah and shooting a solid 73.9 percent at the free throw line. For a low-usage guy, he produces and usually makes the right play.
Forward
Committed
Utah
Kansas
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 215
One of the best 3-and-D wings in the country, Elmer was a huge reason for Miami’s success this past season as they went unbeaten in the regular season before their Round of 64 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament. Elmer was among the most efficient low-usage wings you’ll find in the country. He drilled 49.8 percent of his field goal attempts, 42.9 percent of his 3s and 76 percent of his foul shots, and has now made at least 40 percent of his 3s in each of his three collegiate seasons.
On top of that, Elmer is a reliable, big-bodied defender at 215 pounds who slides his feet well enough to stay in front of his man and take on different matchups when required. Elmer is tough, efficient and reliable. He rebounds well and has even gotten some buzz from NBA scouts, who are interested in him because his game is so simplified. He’s projectable as a valuable player at any level of competition.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 215
One of the best 3-and-D wings in the country, Elmer was a huge reason for Miami’s success this past season as they went unbeaten in the regular season before their Round of 64 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament. Elmer was among the most efficient low-usage wings you’ll find in the country. He drilled 49.8 percent of his field goal attempts, 42.9 percent of his 3s and 76 percent of his foul shots, and has now made at least 40 percent of his 3s in each of his three collegiate seasons.
On top of that, Elmer is a reliable, big-bodied defender at 215 pounds who slides his feet well enough to stay in front of his man and take on different matchups when required. Elmer is tough, efficient and reliable. He rebounds well and has even gotten some buzz from NBA scouts, who are interested in him because his game is so simplified. He’s projectable as a valuable player at any level of competition.
Wing
In Portal
Miami (Ohio)
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Gillespie was one of the best rebounders in college basketball, so of course he ends up at Houston. The Cougars get someone who understands the importance of defense and rebounding, plus they were missing a back-to-the-basket presence this season. Gillespie scores most of his points from the blocks. He is effective at carving out space posting up and creating angles to make the entries easy.
He gets to the line often with a 52.9 free throw rate and makes 78.9 percent of his free throws. He tried to shoot 3s this year but wasn’t very effective, making only 15 of 58 tries (25.9 percent). Defensively, he slides his feet well for a big man and can hold his ground. Philosophically, this should be an easy transition. Physically, he should have no problems moving up to the high-major level. He does struggle finishing over length and that could be an issue in the Big 12 more than it was in the MAC, although it’ll help that he’ll play most of his minutes at power forward for the Coogs, who return Joseph Tugler and also landed four-star Arafan Diane.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Gillespie was one of the best rebounders in college basketball, so of course he ends up at Houston. The Cougars get someone who understands the importance of defense and rebounding, plus they were missing a back-to-the-basket presence this season. Gillespie scores most of his points from the blocks. He is effective at carving out space posting up and creating angles to make the entries easy.
He gets to the line often with a 52.9 free throw rate and makes 78.9 percent of his free throws. He tried to shoot 3s this year but wasn’t very effective, making only 15 of 58 tries (25.9 percent). Defensively, he slides his feet well for a big man and can hold his ground. Philosophically, this should be an easy transition. Physically, he should have no problems moving up to the high-major level. He does struggle finishing over length and that could be an issue in the Big 12 more than it was in the MAC, although it’ll help that he’ll play most of his minutes at power forward for the Coogs, who return Joseph Tugler and also landed four-star Arafan Diane.
Forward
Committed
Kent State
Houston
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 245
Fru was a terrific young player in Germany before coming stateside. He blocked 1.4 blocks in 22 minutes per night and was wildly efficient as a finisher. Fru shot 75.3 percent at the rim while on a heavy dose of rim runs out of ball screens. He’s a good screener who can slip to the rim and create real downhill force. His team in Germany, Braunschweig, did use him as a mismatch post threat. But even there, he was largely an efficient rim runner. Defensively, Fru can at least competently protect the rim even if it isn’t an outright strength of his game.
Fru needs to find an environment that plays in a ton of ball-screen actions and allows him to get downhill to the rim. The good news for him is that size is very difficult to find in the transfer portal, and he has it. He’ll get a large amount of money to be a starting center for someone at the power conference level next season, with a ceiling as being a borderline all-conference player if he can find the right fit.
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 245
Fru was a terrific young player in Germany before coming stateside. He blocked 1.4 blocks in 22 minutes per night and was wildly efficient as a finisher. Fru shot 75.3 percent at the rim while on a heavy dose of rim runs out of ball screens. He’s a good screener who can slip to the rim and create real downhill force. His team in Germany, Braunschweig, did use him as a mismatch post threat. But even there, he was largely an efficient rim runner. Defensively, Fru can at least competently protect the rim even if it isn’t an outright strength of his game.
Fru needs to find an environment that plays in a ton of ball-screen actions and allows him to get downhill to the rim. The good news for him is that size is very difficult to find in the transfer portal, and he has it. He’ll get a large amount of money to be a starting center for someone at the power conference level next season, with a ceiling as being a borderline all-conference player if he can find the right fit.
Center
Committed
Louisville
Marquette
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
Westry had an injury-riddled first two seasons, playing in only 14 game between Auburn and Syracuse. He finally got his opportunity this past year at UAB, and he thrived. He’s a unique player at 6-6 and is an elite passer. He understands angles and sees plays developing. He finished the season on an assist tear, with 36 dimes in his final three games. He plays at his pace and just seems to make the right play. His biggest weakness is his jumper (only 12 of 102 3s in his career). He scores most of his points in the paint. He’s not an explosive athlete but smooth. He does a good job in ball screens, putting defenders in jail and dissecting the defense. Defensively, he doesn’t play with much urgency, but his size makes him switchable.
In the right system, he could put up huge assist numbers. The shooting might scare off some teams, but he is probably the best passer in the portal.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
Westry had an injury-riddled first two seasons, playing in only 14 game between Auburn and Syracuse. He finally got his opportunity this past year at UAB, and he thrived. He’s a unique player at 6-6 and is an elite passer. He understands angles and sees plays developing. He finished the season on an assist tear, with 36 dimes in his final three games. He plays at his pace and just seems to make the right play. His biggest weakness is his jumper (only 12 of 102 3s in his career). He scores most of his points in the paint. He’s not an explosive athlete but smooth. He does a good job in ball screens, putting defenders in jail and dissecting the defense. Defensively, he doesn’t play with much urgency, but his size makes him switchable.
In the right system, he could put up huge assist numbers. The shooting might scare off some teams, but he is probably the best passer in the portal.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
Thomas is a quick, creative guard who lives in the paint and makes good decisions. Thomas dished out 6.5 assists versus 1.6 turnovers per game largely because he’s fast but patient after three years as a collegiate starter, capable of throwing dimes all over the place. As a scorer, he’s more comfortable from 15 feet and in, and gets to the foul line about five times per game.
Having said that, it is worth noting that all of his production came against poor teams this year. In the 117 minutes he played against Quad 1 and 2 teams, the Tigers were actually worse per 100 possessions when he was on the court versus when he was off of it. He also shot 4-for-9 from the field against SMU, 6-for-15 against Texas Tech, 1-for-8 against Florida and 7-for-20 against Arkansas. He did dish out 21 assists versus eight turnovers in those games, but I think coaches will want to see him be a bit more consistent as a scorer.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
Thomas is a quick, creative guard who lives in the paint and makes good decisions. Thomas dished out 6.5 assists versus 1.6 turnovers per game largely because he’s fast but patient after three years as a collegiate starter, capable of throwing dimes all over the place. As a scorer, he’s more comfortable from 15 feet and in, and gets to the foul line about five times per game.
Having said that, it is worth noting that all of his production came against poor teams this year. In the 117 minutes he played against Quad 1 and 2 teams, the Tigers were actually worse per 100 possessions when he was on the court versus when he was off of it. He also shot 4-for-9 from the field against SMU, 6-for-15 against Texas Tech, 1-for-8 against Florida and 7-for-20 against Arkansas. He did dish out 21 assists versus eight turnovers in those games, but I think coaches will want to see him be a bit more consistent as a scorer.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 218
Jones has excellent pedigree as a top-40 recruit. As a freshman, he showed his incredible physical tools while starting every game he played beginning on Dec. 19, becoming an indispensable part of the lineup for ex-Providence boss Kim English. Jones brings high levels of athleticism and aggression on the wing, getting downhill — either in transition or the half court. He has serious vertical pop, leading the Friars with 54 dunks. All of that makes him an intriguing defensive prospect as well, though he may have to break some bad habits after playing in the Friars’ debacle of a defense.
Jones’ defect is that his offensive game is limited by his lack of a jumper. He attempted just 40 field goals outside the paint compared to 153 at the rim and 43 non-rim paint 2s, per CBB Analytics. Opponents could sag off without any fear of retribution outside of the occasional well-timed cut. His release is slow and somewhat robotic, and his 39 percent shooting from 3 seems more like a small sample aberration than a true bellwether of his ability.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 218
Jones has excellent pedigree as a top-40 recruit. As a freshman, he showed his incredible physical tools while starting every game he played beginning on Dec. 19, becoming an indispensable part of the lineup for ex-Providence boss Kim English. Jones brings high levels of athleticism and aggression on the wing, getting downhill — either in transition or the half court. He has serious vertical pop, leading the Friars with 54 dunks. All of that makes him an intriguing defensive prospect as well, though he may have to break some bad habits after playing in the Friars’ debacle of a defense.
Jones’ defect is that his offensive game is limited by his lack of a jumper. He attempted just 40 field goals outside the paint compared to 153 at the rim and 43 non-rim paint 2s, per CBB Analytics. Opponents could sag off without any fear of retribution outside of the occasional well-timed cut. His release is slow and somewhat robotic, and his 39 percent shooting from 3 seems more like a small sample aberration than a true bellwether of his ability.
Wing
Committed
Providence
Missouri
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Lewis will find his third home after transferring to Georgetown last offseason from Arizona. He moved in search of an increased offensive role and he did find one with the Hoyas. However, his percentages remained paltry at 40.8 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3.
Lewis should just look to embrace his inner glue guy and find a role like he had at Arizona, where he could be a balls-to-the-wall defender with great hands and disruptive energy at the point of attack. He isn’t much of a primary creator, and, ultimately, he needs to improve as a shooter in order to star in that role off of the ball.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Lewis will find his third home after transferring to Georgetown last offseason from Arizona. He moved in search of an increased offensive role and he did find one with the Hoyas. However, his percentages remained paltry at 40.8 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3.
Lewis should just look to embrace his inner glue guy and find a role like he had at Arizona, where he could be a balls-to-the-wall defender with great hands and disruptive energy at the point of attack. He isn’t much of a primary creator, and, ultimately, he needs to improve as a shooter in order to star in that role off of the ball.
Guard
Committed
Georgetown
USC
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202
The 22-year-old was a four-star in the 2022 class and originally committed to BYU. After his Mormon mission, he followed Mark Pope to Kentucky and has played there the last two seasons. He is one of the best shooters in the portal. He made 73 3s at a 41 percent clip this past season and bumped his percentage up to 45.7 percent during SEC play. He can shoot off movement and with range. He’s also an option to fill the lanes in transition and finish above the rim.
Defensively, he will fight through screens and battle, and he usually does a pretty good job of keeping the ball in front of him, but his on-off defensive numbers were the worst on Kentucky’s team. Chandler’s role at Kentucky was to shoot 3s. He did a bit more in high school and it’d be interesting to see if he could expand his game. It’s possible in the right system Chandler could average in the mid-teens in scoring. He’d benefit from playing alongside a good point guard and other scorers who would demand attention and create more spot-up opportunities for him. Kentucky didn’t have much shooting so opponents could lock in on trying to take away his looks.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202
The 22-year-old was a four-star in the 2022 class and originally committed to BYU. After his Mormon mission, he followed Mark Pope to Kentucky and has played there the last two seasons. He is one of the best shooters in the portal. He made 73 3s at a 41 percent clip this past season and bumped his percentage up to 45.7 percent during SEC play. He can shoot off movement and with range. He’s also an option to fill the lanes in transition and finish above the rim.
Defensively, he will fight through screens and battle, and he usually does a pretty good job of keeping the ball in front of him, but his on-off defensive numbers were the worst on Kentucky’s team. Chandler’s role at Kentucky was to shoot 3s. He did a bit more in high school and it’d be interesting to see if he could expand his game. It’s possible in the right system Chandler could average in the mid-teens in scoring. He’d benefit from playing alongside a good point guard and other scorers who would demand attention and create more spot-up opportunities for him. Kentucky didn’t have much shooting so opponents could lock in on trying to take away his looks.
Guard
Committed
Kentucky
BYU
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 180
Diallo advanced from “inefficient athletic curiosity” to “legitimate alpha on-ball presence” as a sophomore, seeing both his usage and efficiency rise for the improved Huskies. He excelled as a pick-and-roll operator, scoring in the 88th percentile in points per possession on such action, per Synergy. He has great size for a point guard, and he excels at pinning his defender behind him as he patiently navigates into the paint.
Currently, his effectiveness is somewhat capped by his limited ability from beyond the arc, instead preferring to live in the midrange. Fortunately, he was fantastic there, shooting 51.3 percent on midrange 2s per CBB Analytics, showing a smooth and confident pull-up game. That and his 82.5 percent free-throw shooting hint at more upside as a shooter, though.
Defensively, he is a work in progress despite his height and length. He’s not an explosive vertical athlete (only three dunks and zero blocks the entire season), and he has not shown much disruption, either.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 180
Diallo advanced from “inefficient athletic curiosity” to “legitimate alpha on-ball presence” as a sophomore, seeing both his usage and efficiency rise for the improved Huskies. He excelled as a pick-and-roll operator, scoring in the 88th percentile in points per possession on such action, per Synergy. He has great size for a point guard, and he excels at pinning his defender behind him as he patiently navigates into the paint.
Currently, his effectiveness is somewhat capped by his limited ability from beyond the arc, instead preferring to live in the midrange. Fortunately, he was fantastic there, shooting 51.3 percent on midrange 2s per CBB Analytics, showing a smooth and confident pull-up game. That and his 82.5 percent free-throw shooting hint at more upside as a shooter, though.
Defensively, he is a work in progress despite his height and length. He’s not an explosive vertical athlete (only three dunks and zero blocks the entire season), and he has not shown much disruption, either.
Guard
Committed
Washington
Kentucky
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230
The 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year is back in the portal after one season at Iowa, where he was a nice fit offensively but came off the bench because of his defense. Folgueiras plays the game with a lot of flair and is incredibly fun when he gets it going. He’s an elite passer for a big man who sometimes goes a little too far with his risk-taking. But his confidence is his super power. Down two in the final seconds against Florida? Folgueiras will make the 3 without any hesitation. He can be the hub of an offense. The key is just making sure he’s surrounded by the right guys to protect him on the defensive end. He’s great in pick-and-pop situations because he can make shots or make the extra pass. He’s streaky from the perimeter. He shot 28.6 percent as a freshman from 3, 41.3 percent as a sophomore and percentage dropped to 33.3 percent this year, really struggling in Big Ten play (23.2 percent).
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230
The 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year is back in the portal after one season at Iowa, where he was a nice fit offensively but came off the bench because of his defense. Folgueiras plays the game with a lot of flair and is incredibly fun when he gets it going. He’s an elite passer for a big man who sometimes goes a little too far with his risk-taking. But his confidence is his super power. Down two in the final seconds against Florida? Folgueiras will make the 3 without any hesitation. He can be the hub of an offense. The key is just making sure he’s surrounded by the right guys to protect him on the defensive end. He’s great in pick-and-pop situations because he can make shots or make the extra pass. He’s streaky from the perimeter. He shot 28.6 percent as a freshman from 3, 41.3 percent as a sophomore and percentage dropped to 33.3 percent this year, really struggling in Big Ten play (23.2 percent).
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
While some had NBA hopes for Evans coming off his freshman season at Oregon, he has never actualized his shooting potential that his free-throw percentages would indicate. Even though he’s made 77.6 percent of his free throws, he’s only been able to hit 28.4 percent of his 3s. This year, he took a nice leap forward on offense as a slasher and doubled his scoring from his first two seasons. He’s definitely limited as a passer, but he’s a long athlete who defends his position well and is active both in passing lanes and in rim rotations coming across the weak side. He’s also a good rebounder who can be trusted to play the 4 position and end possessions.
Given how difficult it is to find versatile 4s, I’d expect Evans to be a bit more expensive than his numbers would indicate. The Baltimore native will return to the East Coast at Villanova.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
While some had NBA hopes for Evans coming off his freshman season at Oregon, he has never actualized his shooting potential that his free-throw percentages would indicate. Even though he’s made 77.6 percent of his free throws, he’s only been able to hit 28.4 percent of his 3s. This year, he took a nice leap forward on offense as a slasher and doubled his scoring from his first two seasons. He’s definitely limited as a passer, but he’s a long athlete who defends his position well and is active both in passing lanes and in rim rotations coming across the weak side. He’s also a good rebounder who can be trusted to play the 4 position and end possessions.
Given how difficult it is to find versatile 4s, I’d expect Evans to be a bit more expensive than his numbers would indicate. The Baltimore native will return to the East Coast at Villanova.
Forward
Committed
Oregon
Villanova
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
There may not have been a more anonymous high-major all-conference player than Bizjack last season at Butler, but he was a third-team All-Big East selection following a terrific scoring campaign where shot 35 percent from 3 on over six attempts per game. His low release point is unique but he gets the ball out of his hands lightning quick. He’s also a tough driver who got to the line 5.2 times per game while converting at a strong 85 percent clip. He uses the threat of his shot incredibly well, attacking closeouts to get downhill when he gets his chances.
But beyond that, Bizjack is just an incredibly fun player to watch. With flowing long, curly hair flying in the wind while he attacks, finding creative angles to score from, Bizjack is sure to be a fan favorite wherever he ends up. You’d love to see him guard just a little bit better, but if you can put him next to a high-level, creative guard, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
There may not have been a more anonymous high-major all-conference player than Bizjack last season at Butler, but he was a third-team All-Big East selection following a terrific scoring campaign where shot 35 percent from 3 on over six attempts per game. His low release point is unique but he gets the ball out of his hands lightning quick. He’s also a tough driver who got to the line 5.2 times per game while converting at a strong 85 percent clip. He uses the threat of his shot incredibly well, attacking closeouts to get downhill when he gets his chances.
But beyond that, Bizjack is just an incredibly fun player to watch. With flowing long, curly hair flying in the wind while he attacks, finding creative angles to score from, Bizjack is sure to be a fan favorite wherever he ends up. You’d love to see him guard just a little bit better, but if you can put him next to a high-level, creative guard, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Guard
Committed
Butler
West Virginia
Ht: 6-3Wt: 180
Lewis was a first-team All-WCC player this past season. A former four-star recruit, Lewis is a scoring guard who can really fill it up from distance. He’s more of a combo guard as opposed to a true lead guard, and the Gaels were better off this season when he had Joshua Dent next to him on the court. Dent was the guy among the two of them who tended to drive winning the most. Lewis needs to get better as a driver and finisher on the interior, and his defensive consistency needs to continue to improve. Still, he’s a reliable guard with size and strength who can knock down shots while playing both backcourt positions, and those guys aren’t in massive quantity.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 180
Lewis was a first-team All-WCC player this past season. A former four-star recruit, Lewis is a scoring guard who can really fill it up from distance. He’s more of a combo guard as opposed to a true lead guard, and the Gaels were better off this season when he had Joshua Dent next to him on the court. Dent was the guy among the two of them who tended to drive winning the most. Lewis needs to get better as a driver and finisher on the interior, and his defensive consistency needs to continue to improve. Still, he’s a reliable guard with size and strength who can knock down shots while playing both backcourt positions, and those guys aren’t in massive quantity.
Guard
In Portal
Saint Mary’s
Ht: 7-2Wt: 270
The 22-year-old Turkish center is a mountain of a man. He’s an old-school post player, who does his best work sealing deep. He can score over either shoulder and knows how to use his big body to create easy passing angles for his teammates. He is heavy-footed and has to play in drop coverage in pick-and-roll. When he does get the ball down low, sometimes it takes him a tick to gather himself and go up.
He does have good hands and is an excellent offensive rebounder. He can also pass out of the post and plays to his strengths. He is a mostly efficient scorer, making 63 percent of his 2s, although he’s just a career 53.1 percent free-throw shooter. The top comparison at KenPom is Oumar Ballo and that’s a good one. He’ll be a double-digit scorer in most systems, provide some rim protection and offensive rebounding. It has to be the right fit defensively, but his combination of size and low-post scoring is intriguing.
Ht: 7-2Wt: 270
The 22-year-old Turkish center is a mountain of a man. He’s an old-school post player, who does his best work sealing deep. He can score over either shoulder and knows how to use his big body to create easy passing angles for his teammates. He is heavy-footed and has to play in drop coverage in pick-and-roll. When he does get the ball down low, sometimes it takes him a tick to gather himself and go up.
He does have good hands and is an excellent offensive rebounder. He can also pass out of the post and plays to his strengths. He is a mostly efficient scorer, making 63 percent of his 2s, although he’s just a career 53.1 percent free-throw shooter. The top comparison at KenPom is Oumar Ballo and that’s a good one. He’ll be a double-digit scorer in most systems, provide some rim protection and offensive rebounding. It has to be the right fit defensively, but his combination of size and low-post scoring is intriguing.
Center
Committed
SMU
Indiana
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
Back into the portal after stops at two SEC schools (Alabama and Kentucky), Dioubate should be a highly sought-after piece. The pitch with Dioubate is based mostly on one end of the court: at 6-7, 220 pounds, with plenty of length and strength, he is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the country. He possesses fantastic instincts, and he generates both steals and blocks at high rates. He’s a force on the ball, as he can move well laterally while also walling off drives with his chest, and he is one of the rare players in the country who can truly defend all five positions.
Offensively, though, Dioubate is limited. He cannot shoot (just 19-of-65, 29.2 percent, from deep in 101 career games), he cannot really create for himself, and he is not an overly intuitive passer. Fortunately, he mostly knows his own limitations and stays within himself. He does use his tremendous physical tools and effort to be a force on the offensive glass, and he can be a killer as a cutter and finisher. Unsurprisingly, he is also excellent in transition. He would be best served as a defensive destroyer while not asked to do much on the offensive end, insulated by a great scheme and/or scoring talent around him.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
Back into the portal after stops at two SEC schools (Alabama and Kentucky), Dioubate should be a highly sought-after piece. The pitch with Dioubate is based mostly on one end of the court: at 6-7, 220 pounds, with plenty of length and strength, he is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the country. He possesses fantastic instincts, and he generates both steals and blocks at high rates. He’s a force on the ball, as he can move well laterally while also walling off drives with his chest, and he is one of the rare players in the country who can truly defend all five positions.
Offensively, though, Dioubate is limited. He cannot shoot (just 19-of-65, 29.2 percent, from deep in 101 career games), he cannot really create for himself, and he is not an overly intuitive passer. Fortunately, he mostly knows his own limitations and stays within himself. He does use his tremendous physical tools and effort to be a force on the offensive glass, and he can be a killer as a cutter and finisher. Unsurprisingly, he is also excellent in transition. He would be best served as a defensive destroyer while not asked to do much on the offensive end, insulated by a great scheme and/or scoring talent around him.
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle