The college basketball transfer portal has closed to new entries, but plenty of talent remains in the portal as we head into May. There are several big names who have yet to commit to a new program for the 2024-25 season. Here, we break down the best remaining players in the transfer portal as of May 9.
Utah State —> ????
Osobor was expected to commit to the Washington Huskies after former Utah State head coach Danny Sprinkle was hired on in Seattle. Osobor followed Sprinkle from Montana State to Utah State, and entered the portal shortly after Sprinkle’s new job was announced. However, he has yet to commit to a destination. Osobor led the Aggies with 17.7 points and nine rebounds per game last season, both of which were career highs for the 6-foot-8 forward.
Potential landing spots: Washington, Texas Tech, Louisville
Illinois —> ????
The Fighting Illini won the Big Ten this season, and forward Coleman Hawkins was a key defensive piece of the championship team. He recorded 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and led the team in blocks (1.1) and steals (1.5) per game, as well. Hawkins isn’t just solid down low, though — the 6-foot-10 forward shot a career-best 36.9% from the perimeter this past season.
Potential landing spots: Arkansas, back to Illinois, NBA Draft
BYU —> ????
The Cougars had a solid first year in the Big XII, reaching the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed. Guard Jaxson Robinson played a major part in their success — he led the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game, and excelled from the free throw line, making over 90% of attempts from the charity stripe. Robinson has previously played for Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Potential landing spots: Kentucky, Arkansas, NBA Draft
New Mexico —> ????
Toppin was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year after leading the Lobos in rebounds in the 2023-24 season, grabbing 9.1 boards per game. The Lobos won the Mountain West Conference Tournament at the end of this season, but Toppin is taking his talents elsewhere after just one year in Albuquerque. He added 12.4 points and 1.9 blocks per game.
Potential landing spots: North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas Tech
Michigan State —> ????
Hoggard is an excellent ball handler and a major asset on any defense. He led the Spartans in assists last season with 5.2 per game, though he can struggle to score — he shot just 40.7% from the floor in 2023-24. He recorded 1.4 steals and 10.7 points per game.
Potential landing spots: Washington, Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia, USC
Kentucky —> ????
Wagner was a key piece of Kentucky’s starting five last season. A few of the starters are headed to the NBA, and the sudden departure of head coach John Calipari drove others away. Wagner still has three remaining years of eligibility, and has the potential to step up into a much larger role than the one he had with the Wildcats last season. He averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game in his freshman year.
Potential landing spots: Arkansas, Louisville, Seton Hall
Miami —> ????
Poplar brings a consistent perimeter performance to the table — he shot 38.5% from the three-point line last season with the Hurricanes — as well as a strong presence at the rim. Poplar put up a career-best 13.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, and has the potential to end up with a blue blood for the final year of his college career. He isn’t afraid to drive and finish in the paint, but has the versatility to pull up from outside and nail a long shot.
Potential landing spots: Kentucky, Duke, Villanova, Auburn
Texas —> ????
Mitchell entered college as a five-star recruit, and put up a solid 9.6 points per game last season as a true sophomore. However, there is a glaring 0.0 on his stat line — he failed to make a single three-pointer last season. On the other hand, he was strong at the rim, and led the Longhorns in rebounds with 7.5 per game.
Potential landing spots: Cincinnati, St. John’s, Miami (FL)
Kentucky —> ????
Onyenso brings a massive advantage to the floor with his size. He stands at seven feet tall and was a weapon at the rim for the Wildcats last season, though he generally came off the bench. He averaged 1.3 blocks per game, and put up 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 points over an average 18.6 minutes on the court.
Potential landing spots: NBA Draft
Washington State —> ????
Wells has his sights set on the NBA Draft in June, but is keeping his options open in the portal until then. He averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season, and shot 41.7% from the three-point line. His greatest strength comes in his ability to shoot the ball — he is not a standout rebounder or defender.
Potential landing spots: NBA Draft, Kentucky
North Florida —> ????
Lanier comes from the smallest-name program of these names, but is reportedly being courted by a number of Power Four schools. Lanier exploded onto the scene in his fourth year as an Osprey — after three seasons averaging fewer than five points per game, the guard led UNF with 19.7 points per game. He shot 51% from the field and 44% from the three-point line last season. Lanier has one year of eligibility remaining.
Potential landing spots: Tennessee, Kentucky, BYU, Duke, Villanova
