NCAA Basketball: 8 teams that should target Yale transfer Paul Atkinson

Yale forward Paul Atkinson is now the biggest name in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal. Which programs should make a serious run at the senior?

One of the breakout stars from the Ivy League last season was Paul Atkinson, a 6’10 power forward who went from being a role player to an all-star. He averaged a team-leading 17.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg en route to not only an all-conference selection but was awarded the honor of Co-Ivy League Player of the Year.

Not only was Atkinson great overall, but he was also consistently great in 2019-20. He reached double figures in scoring every single game, including seven double-doubles. The forward went for 20+ 12 different times, including a career-high 28 against Harvard in a big matchup.

He’s a natural power forward who can play center as well. He doesn’t space the floor much, shooting only 14 attempts in three years at Yale. However, he’s tremendous on the low block and is a two-way performer as well.

Now though, he’s officially a free agent, entering the NCAA Basketball transfer portal. Atkinson certainly won’t be alone, as there have been talks about the Ivy League not even playing this upcoming season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Add to it the conference’s unique rules about players scholarships only covering four years with no exceptions, that leaves many talented basketball players in a lurch.

Atkinson along with many others is leaving, adding to the talent pool for power conference programs to try and take. He’ll still be at the university and graduate in the Spring but can talk to potential suitors right now.

Expect many teams to try and land Atkinson and it would be of great interest for the Yale big to claim his spot on his next team early, as the scholarship situations will be very different next offseason. Here’s a look at eight programs that would be a nice potential fit for Atkinson.