Men’s college basketball transfer grades for 2024-25
The men’s college basketball transfer portal is deeper than ever. With an increase in NIL budgets and the potential introduction of revenue sharing, there is more money to distribute, and the majority of those funds are being directed toward experienced players in the portal. It’s become the primary way for teams to build rosters to compete for championships.
The balance of power between transfers and freshmen has completely shifted in recent years, with fewer freshmen being heavily relied upon. The elite prospects, the five-stars? Sure. But for the most part, transfers are the better bet when it comes to playing a significant role. (This year’s Duke team is an outlier, mostly because Cooper Flagg is an outlier.)
Just take the top-10 teams in last week’s AP poll. In the starting lineups of those 10 over the weekend, 15 were first-year transfers and just four were freshmen. Three of those four freshmen were from Duke. Purdue was the lone top-10 team without a first-year transfer.
Here’s a look at some of this season’s notable impact transfers — and the ones who haven’t panned out yet.
Most stats are as of Feb. 17.
Best of the best
1. John Tonje, Wisconsin Badgers
There is not a player on this list with more big performances in big games this season than Tonje. Just look at the numbers: 41 points against Arizona, 33 against Pitt, 32 at Purdue, 31 against Illinois. Eleven games with at least 20 points, including seven instances in the past eight. He’s averaging 19.6 points and 4.8 rebounds after injuries limited him to 2.6 points in eight games at Missouri last season. And, Tonje is playing the best basketball of his career in recent weeks: Over his past eight games, the 6-5 senior is averaging 25.1 points and is a legitimate All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year candidate.
2. PJ Haggerty, Memphis Tigers
In retrospect, maybe the biggest question is what happened to Haggerty during his six games at TCU as a freshman, when he averaged 2.8 points before redshirting. Since then, there haven’t been many more effective offensive players. He averaged 21.2 points last season at Tulsa, stayed in the AAC and went to play for Penny Hardaway. And he’s been even better for the Tigers. He’s averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists and shooting nearly 44% from 3-point range. It’s not just against lesser competition, either. Haggerty had 25 against Missouri, 22 against UConn, 27 against Auburn, 24 against Mississippi State and 27 at Virginia. He’s a star.
3. Javon Small, West Virginia Mountaineers
Small is on his third school in four years: He started his career at East Carolina before moving to Oklahoma State last season and then staying in the Big 12 for his senior campaign in Morgantown. And he has been nothing short of sensational for first-year coach Darian DeVries, especially once DeVries’ son, Tucker, was lost for the season with an injury. The Mountaineers have struggled lately, but Small continues to shoulder the offensive load. He’s averaging 18.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists and making better than 35% of his 3s.
4. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Volunteers
Nobody could have seen this coming after Lanier’s first three seasons at North Florida, where his career-high scoring average was 4.7 points. But he broke out last season for the Ospreys and has become Tennessee’s 2024-25 version of Dalton Knecht, coming out of the gates with huge stat lines in November and December. In fact, had we done this ranking near the turn of the year, Lanier might have been No. 1. He averaged 19.6 points on 45.9% 3-point shooting in nonconference, and while those numbers have taken a hit in SEC play, he’s still putting up 17.5 points for a team pushing for a 1-seed.
5. JT Toppin, Texas Tech Red Raiders
We had to keep moving Toppin up these rankings as last week progressed. He had 41 points and 13 rebounds against Arizona State on Feb. 12, then followed it up with 32 points and 12 rebounds against Oklahoma State on Saturday. Toppin became the first Division I player this season with back-to-back outings of 30 points and 10 rebounds. The New Mexico transfer is averaging 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds and he’s looking every bit like a future NBA player.
6. Danny Wolf, Michigan Wolverines
Wolf is one of the more fascinating players this season, as Dusty May has utilized the 7-footer from Yale as a point-center, the ball handler in pick-and-rolls with 7-1 Vladislav Goldin. And it’s working. Wolf is averaging 12.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 37.1% from 3-point range. He’s a tremendous matchup problem, and he’s capable of carrying the Wolverines in March.
7. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland Terrapins
Gillespie was one of the most effective shooters in the country last season at Belmont, and he’s arguably been more efficient offensive player for the Terrapins. He’s averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 assists, shooting 40.7% from 3, while also racking up nearly two steals per game. The 6-1 point guard has also hit 20-plus points in five games this season — four times in Big Ten play and once against Marquette.
8. Chucky Hepburn, Louisville Cardinals
Hepburn had a solid three seasons at Wisconsin, starting 103 games for Greg Gard and showing effectiveness as a two-way player. Under Pat Kelsey at Louisville, that same defensive intensity has carried over, but he’s also been much more aggressive offensively. He’s averaging 15.0 points and 6.2 assists this season, with a propensity for big games against good opponents: 32 points against West Virginia, 26 against Kentucky and 26 against North Carolina.
9. Norchad Omier, Baylor Bears
Omier is on track to average a double-double for a fifth straight season. He did it during two seasons at Arkansas State, two campaigns at Miami and now he’s doing it at Baylor. He’s drawing fouls at an incredibly high rate, and he’s dominating the glass at both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 15.7 points and 10.2 rebounds, but he’s exceeded his scoring average in six of his previous seven games entering the week.
10. Otega Oweh, Kentucky Wildcats
Given the scope of Mark Pope’s rebuild and the success Kentucky has had this season, there was always going to be a Kentucky player in the top 10 of these rankings — and with recent injuries to his teammates, Oweh is the obvious pick at this point. The former Oklahoma guard is averaging 16.0 points and 4.6 rebounds, a notable increase from last season’s numbers, and he’s hit 20-plus points in four of his past eight games entering the week. Oweh has also scored in double figures in every single game this season.
Rest of the best
Kadary Richmond, St. John’s Red Storm
Richmond isn’t putting up the same numbers for the Johnnies as he did last season at Seton Hall, where he was a first-team All-Big East selection — but he’s starting to resemble that player more and more as March nears. Over his previous seven games entering the week, Richmond averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.6 steals.
Bennett Stirtz, Drake Bulldogs
Stirtz came with head coach Ben McCollum from Division II Northwest Missouri State, and he’s transitioned seamlessly into one of the elite point guards in the country. He leads the nation in minutes played, and he’s averaging 18.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists, shooting 35.8% from 3 for a team that could be this year’s March Cinderella.
Adou Thiero, Arkansas Razorbacks
Even when Thiero wasn’t producing much at Kentucky for two seasons — he averaged 2.3 points and 7.2 points as a freshman and sophomore, respectively — NBA scouts were still intrigued by the 6-8 forward. And we’re seeing why this season, after Thiero followed John Calipari to Fayetteville. He’s putting up 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, hitting 20-plus points on eight occasions.
Vladislav Goldin, Michigan Wolverines
He hasn’t quite made the NBA impression as Wolf this season, but Goldin’s production isn’t too far behind. He’s averaging 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds and shooting nearly 64% from the field. The 7-1 Florida Atlantic transfer has had huge games, too: 31 points against Northwestern, 36 against UCLA and 26 and 11 rebounds against Oklahoma.
Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky Wildcats
Butler and Robinson have been bothered by injuries in recent weeks, and Kentucky has suffered a result. Butler has been one of the best point guards in the country, going from an elite defender to a two-way player who can make shots and distribute with the best. Robinson has had to be more of a playmaker than he was at BYU, but he’s adapted well and is still a capable wing scorer.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Claude really hit his stride in early December, averaging 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists during a nine-game stretch that lasted until mid-January. He’s still exceptionally difficult to keep out of the lane or off the free throw line, and he’s shooting the ball better than he did at Xavier, too.
Mark Mitchell, Missouri Tigers
Mitchell averaged nearly 12 points at Duke last season, but he transferred to Missouri and has helped completely transform the Tigers. He’s one of the main reasons the Tigers get to the free throw line as much as anyone in the country, and he’s a matchup nightmare when he plays at the five spot. Averaged 12.9 points entering the week.
Martin has missed a couple of games due to injury in recent weeks, but for the most part he’s looked a lot like the player who helped lead Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023. He’s averaging a career-high 15.1 points and 2.7 assists, while also grabbing 4.7 rebounds and shooting nearly 35% from 3.
Hall has had an interesting college career, starting zero games and averaging 5.4 points as a freshman at UNLV before breaking out last season at George Mason en route to 16.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. He’s even better this year in the Big 12, averaging 18.5 points (second in the league) and 7.0 rebounds for the Knights.
AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen received more buzz last spring, but Mayo has been by far the best of Kansas’ transfers this season. After winning Summit League Player of the Year last season, Mayo has averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while shooting 40.5% from the perimeter and reaching 20-plus points in seven games.
Andrej Stojakovic, California Golden Bears
A top-25 recruit in 2023, Stojakovic didn’t quite live up to the billing as a freshman at Stanford — but going to rival Cal has brought back some consistency to his offensive ability. The son of former Sacramento Kings wing Peja Stojakovic, he’s averaging 17.7 points and 4.3 rebounds this season.
Jason Edwards, Vanderbilt Commodores
Edwards’ scoring ability has translated surprisingly well from North Texas and the AAC and has been one of the best scorers in the SEC this season. He’s averaging 17.6 points and shooting 38.5% from 3-point range — with eight games of 20-plus points.
Pedulla has been the best transfer for Chris Beard this season, with former Belmont forward Malik Dia also coming on strong lately. But Pedulla, a transfer from Virginia Tech, is leading the Rebels in points (14.6 PPG) and assists (3.8 APG), while shooting better than 39% from 3-point range.
Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr., UCLA Bruins
Mick Cronin went heavy in the portal last spring, and his two best have been Bilodeau and Dailey. Bilodeau shouldn’t be too surprising, given he put up similar numbers (though he’s better from 3 this go-around) at Oregon State last season. Dailey has been incredibly efficient: 11.5 points in 23.5 minutes.
Sebastian Thomas, Rhode Island Rams
One of a couple of boomerang transfers on this list (players who left one school for another just to return to the original one), Thomas has been among the best players in the Atlantic 10 after struggling with the Rams for two seasons before leaving for Albany. He’s returned to average 18.1 points and 6.0 assists.
Under-the-radar additions to top-25 teams
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State Cyclones
Jefferson is having the best season of his career after transferring last spring from Saint Mary’s, and he’s a primary reason for Iowa State’s offensive improvement — and the Cyclones’ potential Final Four hopes. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals, all career highs.
Kelvin Sampson needed to replace do-everything All-American point guard Jamal Shead after last season, and he went with a player the Cougars had faced a few times in Uzan, who spent his first two years at Oklahoma. After a slow start, Uzan has been terrific for Houston, averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 assists over his past eight games, shooting better than 48% from 3.
Tre Donaldson, Michigan Wolverines
Donaldson wasn’t the most hyped transfer addition for the Wolverines after Dusty May took over, and one could say the point guard position was a potential trouble spot entering November. But Donaldson has been a revelation in Ann Arbor after two seasons in Auburn, averaging 12.9 points and 4.2 assists, shooting 42% from 3 and making a number of big shots.
Zhuric Phelps, Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies have had one of the elite scorers in college basketball in Wade Taylor IV, but he needed a consistent sidekick on the perimeter. In stepped Phelps, a high-scoring asset at SMU who entered the portal and stayed in the state. He’s averaging 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds.
With Cooper Flagg leading the way and several NBA prospects surrounding him in the starting lineup, Jon Scheyer didn’t need another big-time scorer or top-ranked transfer. He did need experience and toughness, however, and James has filled that role perfectly. He’s averaging 8.2 points and 3.3 assists, giving Duke a secondary ball handler and playmaker who can get downhill and finish.
Aden Holloway, Alabama Crimson Tide
Holloway underwhelmed during his freshman season at Auburn, struggling to make shots despite coming out of college with a reputation as a perimeter shooter. He moved to rival Alabama, where he’s thrived in a sixth-man role, averaging 11.7 points and shooting nearly 42% from 3-point range.
Kelly was one of the more consistent scorers in the ACC during his previous two seasons at Georgia Tech, but his commitment to Auburn didn’t receive many headlines. He’s been key for the Tigers’ season, however. He’s given Bruce Pearl size and shotmaking on the wings, averaging 10.9 points and shooting 40% from 3.
Igor Milicic Jr. and Felix Okpara, Tennessee Volunteers
Chaz Lanier has received most of the transfer plaudits — and understandably so. But Milicic Jr. has given Rick Barnes a much-needed inside-outside option in the frontcourt, shooting 41.3% from 3 in SEC play, while Okpara has been an anchor inside, ranking third in the league in blocks percentage.
Elijah Hawkins, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Regardless of level, Hawkins has been one of the best distributors in the country. He averaged nearly six assists in two seasons at Howard, then hit 7.5 dimes a game last year at Minnesota. He’s also the primary playmaker for a surging Texas Tech team, averaging 9.4 points and 6.3 assists, scoring in double figures in five of his past six games entering the week.
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida Gators
His stats don’t jump off the page — although he did score 10 points in back-to-back games entering this week — but Chinyelu has started all 25 games at center for a team in the hunt for a 1-seed. That’s perfect for this category. He’s averaging 5.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, shooting nearly 59% from the field after transferring from Washington State.
Tommy Lloyd needed to address toughness and defense on the interior after Oumar Ballo left, and a Tennessee transfer is a great starting point. Awaka has started 25 games for the Wildcats, averaging 8.1 points and 7.9 rebounds, shooting better than 61% from the field. He played the best basketball of his career over the past month.
Dainja didn’t take long to commit to Memphis after opting to transfer from Illinois, but after coming off the bench for the majority of the season, Dainja has given Penny Hardaway a dominant interior scorer to balance out his elite perimeter group. He’s also been able to stay on the floor for longer than he did in Champaign. Before Sunday’s loss, Dainja was averaging 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds since being reinserted into the starting lineup.
Aaron Scott, St. John’s Red Storm
Rick Pitino landed Scott from North Texas as a 3-and-D option in the frontcourt. While his shooting with the Mean Green didn’t translate from an accuracy perspective, Scott’s on track to make the most 3s of his career and has hit multiple treys in six of his past 10 games. For a team completely bereft of consistent shooters, he gives an added dimension.
Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel, Maryland Terrapins
Ja’Kobi Gillespie has been the best transfer in College Park this season, but his backcourt mates haven’t been far behind in recent weeks. Rice, who left Virginia Tech for the Terps, is averaging 18.0 points in his previous six games and 13.4 on the season, while Miguel, a former South Florida transfer, has scored 17 points in each of his past three games. He is averaging 12.0 points.
Mid-major breakouts
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Cluff has been one of the most productive big men in college basketball this season, averaging 17.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists — and has seven games of 20-plus points and 15-plus rebounds. It wasn’t hard to see this coming: He started 23 games last season for Kyle Smith at Washington State, though he averaged 7.0 points and 4.4 boards.
Paulius Murauskas, Saint Mary’s Gaels
Considered one of the best international prospects to enter college prior to last season, Murauskas failed to carve out a consistent role during his lone season at Arizona. But the Lithuanian forward relocated to Moraga, California, in the spring and has been one of the best players in the league, averaging 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds — including 30 points and 10 boards last weekend against Washington State.
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, Seattle U Redhawks
After two seasons each at Oklahoma State and Georgia, where he was a serviceable role player, Moncrieffe has emerged as one of the best players in the WAC for Chris Victor. The 6-8 Canada native is averaging 14.8 points and 9.7 rebounds, with 10 double-doubles on the season.
C.J. Walker, East Carolina Pirates
A former five-star recruit in the 2019 high school class, Walker played one season at Oregon and four at UCF before looking to finish his career at East Carolina. The Pirates have surprised some in the league this season, and Walker is a major reason, averaging 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Stefan Todorovic, Pepperdine Waves
Todorovic entered college with some hype from international scouts, but it didn’t work out consistently for him at either SMU or San Francisco. At Pepperdine, the 6-8 Serbian is showing off his impressive skill set. He is averaging 18.7 points and 5.9 rebounds and shooting better than 39% from 3.
Jonathan Pierre, Belmont Bruins
Pierre was one of the most sought-after Division II transfers in the spring of 2023, ultimately landing at Memphis — where he started just one game and averaged 1.8 points in 6.1 minutes. The 6-9 forward then moved to Belmont in the spring of 2024, where he’s putting up 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and shooting nearly 39% from 3.
Jordan Marsh, UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Marsh has been the catalyst for a UNC Asheville team that has gone stride for stride with High Point in the Big South title race. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native started just one game at Appalachian State last season, averaging 6.2 points. Under Mike Morrell at Asheville, Marsh is averaging 18.8 points and 3.8 assists.
Dylan Darling, Idaho State Bengals
Another Washington State transfer, Darling averaged 1.7 points in 2022-23 and played only three games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. At Idaho State, he has been one of the best players in the Big Sky, averaging 19.3 points and 5.5 assists, shooting nearly 39% from 3.
Denijay Harris, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
One of the better boomerang transfers in the country, Harris spent his first three seasons at Southern Miss and transferred to Arkansas, where he played fewer than 50 minutes. Back at Southern Miss, Harris has been a dominant force in the Sun Belt, averaging 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Lance Ware, UT Arlington Mavericks
It’s probably a surprise to many to see Ware’s name resurface. The New Jersey native committed to Kentucky in the high school class of 2020 but started just nine games over three seasons before going to Villanova, where he was similarly unproductive. But he reunited with former Kentucky assistant KT Turner at UT Arlington and is averaging 14.2 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Note: there were a handful of guys too productive at previous spots to qualify: Jamal Mashburn Jr. (Temple Owls); Isaiah Swope (Saint Louis Billikens); Primo Spears (UTSA Roadrunners); Alvaro Cardenas (Boise State Broncos)
Grass isn’t always greener
Storr was one of the best players in the portal last spring, coming off a second-team All-Big Ten season at Wisconsin. But he’s started just four games for Kansas, struggling to get into a groove on the offensive end. He’s averaging 6.3 points after putting up 16.8 last season.
Kanaan Carlyle, Indiana Hoosiers
Carlyle had an impressive first season in college at Stanford, averaging 11.5 points. But the former top-50 recruit has battled injuries this season in Bloomington and hasn’t been much of a factor even when on the court. He’s hit double figures in scoring just three times, averaging 4.5 points.
A two-time first-team All-WCC selection in each of his two seasons at Saint Mary’s, Mahaney’s numbers have fallen from 13.9 points to 4.8 points this season. He’s played single-digit minutes in three of his past four games entering the week, scoring a total of six points in that span.
Achor Achor, Kansas State Wildcats
Achor finished last season at Samford on a tear, totaling 53 points and 23 rebounds in the semifinals and finals of the SoCon tournament and then going for 23 points and eight boards against Kansas in the NCAA tournament. But he started the 2024-25 campaign coming off the bench, averaged 7.3 points in 13.3 minutes and left the team after seven games.
In some ways, this move has worked out for Pegues. He’s on the roster of one of the most dominant teams in recent college basketball history and has a legitimate chance to win the national championship. But after starting the first two games, he was moved to the bench and has played a total three minutes in SEC play. He is averaging 1.5 points after 18.4 last season at Furman.
Cade Tyson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Hubert Davis tried to replace Harrison Ingram — a versatile, sweet-shooting wing — with Tyson, and it has not worked. Tyson was a second-team All-Missouri Valley pick last season at Belmont, averaging 16.2 points and shooting 46.5% from 3. He’s averaging 2.7 points on 27% 3-point shooting, with four DNPs and three made field goals in ACC play entering the week.
Moss enjoyed a breakout season last year at Toledo, averaging 15.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists — earning first-team All-MAC honors and winning a regular-season championship. At Oregon, however, Moss has battled a few injuries and is averaging just 1.6 points in 11.2 minutes.
