College Basketball’s Top 185 Transfer Portal Commitments Shape the 2025 Season With New Faces and New Powerhouse Pairings Nationwide
The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college basketball forever. What was once a sport built primarily on long-term program development and four-year players is now a dynamic, year-to-year chess match. With the portal’s emergence and immediate eligibility rules now normalized, coaches have embraced the transfer market not just as a safety net—but as a primary roster-building tool. And for the 2025 season, the sheer volume and quality of transfers have reshaped the competitive balance of the sport entirely.
This year, 185 of the top transfer players have committed to new programs, and the implications are massive. From mid-major stars looking to make the leap to power programs, to high-profile players returning home, to veteran leaders hoping to find that one perfect fit, the 2025 transfer cycle has been one of the most competitive and talent-heavy in recent memory.
Among the most notable commitments is former Gonzaga star forward Elijah Black, who shocked many by transferring to North Carolina. Black, a 6-foot-9 combo big who averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds last season, brings much-needed toughness and interior presence to the Tar Heels. Head coach Hubert Davis made it clear that their goal was to get more physical in the post, and Black gives them exactly that—plus tournament experience and shot-blocking instincts that immediately elevate UNC’s defense.
Another blockbuster move came when sharpshooting guard Dylan Tate left Baylor and committed to Duke. Tate was one of the nation’s most feared three-point threats last season, hitting 43% of his attempts while averaging 17 points per game. For Duke, whose offense at times lacked spacing and consistent perimeter scoring in 2024-25, Tate’s arrival is a game-changer. He’ll stretch defenses, open lanes for attacking guards, and give Jon Scheyer an elite scoring option alongside returning playmakers.
Kansas, never shy about dipping into the portal, made one of the biggest splashes by landing a pair of elite transfers in point guard Jeremiah Banks from Arizona State and wing Jalen Simmons from Marquette. Banks, an electric floor general, brings tempo and veteran savvy, while Simmons provides explosive athleticism and elite perimeter defense. Together, they help Kansas form one of the deepest and most versatile backcourts in the country.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s new head coach Mark Pope used the portal to quickly reshape his roster, landing seven transfers—headlined by All-SEC guard Tyler Mays from Ole Miss and versatile 6’10” forward Mason Crutchfield from Oregon. Mays adds experience and shot-making to a backcourt in transition, while Crutchfield gives Pope a modern stretch big who fits perfectly into his offensive system. It’s clear Pope is betting on experience and cohesion over the one-and-done model, and early signs point to a team built for March, not just December headlines.
Perhaps no program made a bigger statement through the portal than St. John’s, who under Rick Pitino landed four top-75 transfer commitments—led by former Indiana star Trey Cooper. A dynamic scorer who can create his own shot and defend both guard positions, Cooper gives the Red Storm a legitimate Big East Player of the Year candidate. Combine him with forwards Zach Knox (Stanford) and Elijah Moore (Houston), and St. John’s suddenly looks like a team built to challenge for a conference title—and perhaps more.
UCLA, too, reloaded in dramatic fashion. After a disappointing campaign that saw them miss the tournament, Mick Cronin secured commitments from three top-tier transfers: scoring wing Deshawn Carter from Georgia, veteran guard Isaiah Breen from Tulsa, and interior anchor Kevon Frazier from SMU. Each fills a glaring need—Carter as a go-to scorer, Breen as a steadying ball-handler, and Frazier as a rim protector. The Bruins now have a roster that can go nine deep, with a blend of youth and experienced firepower.
On the other side of the country, Miami rebuilt quickly after losing its top two players to the NBA. Coach Jim Larrañaga dipped into the portal for immediate replacements, landing combo guard Trent Harmon from Minnesota and rebounding machine Deuce Johnson from Wichita State. Harmon brings pace and pick-and-roll craft, while Johnson—who averaged 11.4 rebounds last season—gives Miami a much-needed interior enforcer.
The Big Ten also saw massive shakeups, with programs like Michigan State, Illinois, and Maryland all using the portal to reshape their rotations. Michigan State landed crafty point guard Ezra Wallace from Washington and long-limbed wing Chris Mensah from Clemson. Wallace’s experience and poise under pressure will be invaluable in March. Illinois added forward Malik Davidson, a double-double machine from UMass, who projects to be an instant starter. Maryland scored big with the commitment of one of the most coveted wings in the portal—Isaiah Long from Arizona—who brings elite scoring and perimeter defense.
Even traditional mid-major powers got involved, benefiting from the trickle-down effect. Dayton, for example, added All-Conference USA guard Malik Rios from UAB, hoping he can pair with returners and keep the Flyers at the top of the Atlantic 10. San Diego State retooled with three transfer commits, including stretch forward Jaylin Greene from New Mexico and point guard Carter Lee from Pacific—both capable of starting from day one.
In the SEC, Arkansas continues its aggressive approach. Under head coach John Calipari, the Razorbacks brought in a wave of transfers headlined by former five-star center Elijah Reid from Michigan and scoring guard Malik Trent from USC. It’s clear Calipari is using the portal to tailor his team with proven college production rather than relying solely on freshmen. If the chemistry clicks, Arkansas could be back in the Sweet 16 discussion immediately.
LSU, meanwhile, landed arguably the most underrated portal prize in point guard Kory DeJong from Providence. A tough-nosed floor general who plays bigger than his size, DeJong brings intensity and leadership. His ability to control pace and limit turnovers gives LSU a veteran presence they sorely lacked last season.
Not all top portal commits are heading to power programs. Some chose fit and opportunity. Forward Lennox James, who averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds at Northern Arizona, committed to Utah State, citing the program’s development culture and fit within their offense. Similarly, electric scorer Jamal Kincaid left Fresno State for UNLV, bringing his 20.1 points per game with him to the Mountain West.
As always, the portal also created some drama. A few players decommitted from their initial transfer destinations, reopened their recruitment, and flipped late. Perhaps the most high-profile was forward Bryce Tillman, who initially committed to Texas before switching to Alabama after a visit. Tillman’s length, shooting touch, and shot-blocking make him a potential lottery pick, and his flip dramatically shifted preseason expectations in the SEC.
In total, these 185 top transfers represent more than just individual talent—they represent a shifting ideology in college basketball. Programs now prioritize experienced players who’ve proven they can produce at the college level. Coaches seek instant-impact players who can blend quickly and elevate their teams. And for fans, the offseason has become as thrilling and unpredictable as the season itself.
What makes this year unique is how top programs didn’t just plug holes—they built around transfers. Rosters are no longer layered with three to four years of development but constructed with six-month windows in mind. While that creates volatility, it also creates opportunity. Teams like Louisville, which landed high-scoring guard Tyren Rivers from VCU and high-flying forward Damari Price from Oklahoma State, went from NIT hopefuls to NCAA contenders.
And then there are the sleepers—the under-the-radar portal additions who might not have made headlines but will be crucial come March. Players like Noah Bright (from Murray State to Creighton), Tyrese Holloway (from Rice to Virginia Tech), and Jalen Ford (from Loyola Chicago to Iowa) might not sell jerseys, but they will win games.
As the 2025 college basketball season nears, one thing is certain: the transfer portal has rewritten the rules. With 185 of the top available players now committed and rosters nearly complete, teams across the country have filled needs, rebuilt depth charts, and reimagined what’s possible.
In March, when the tournament tips off, many of the key names on highlight reels won’t be freshmen—they’ll be transfers. They’ll be players who took a risk, changed scenery, and found new homes. And if the 2025 transfer cycle has taught us anything, it’s that building a championship team no longer requires waiting for freshmen to grow—it’s about finding the right veterans to win now.
