NCAA Basketball: Top 20 early transfer portal pickups in 2023 offseason

8. Skyy Clark – Illinois to Louisville

2022-23 stats: 7.0 ppg and 2.1 apg

Clark played just 13 games this past season before leaving the team and eventually entering the transfer portal. He showed signs of potential during the early part of the year, including six assists in a game against Monmouth. He also had four double-digit scoring games, with one of them being a 19-point performance on 3/4 3PT shooting versus Lindenwood.

Clark joins one of the worst power conference NCAA Basketball teams in recent memory in Louisville, who won just four games total this past season. It was a team that had just one effective guard in El Ellis. If he remains in the NBA Draft or transfers out, Clark becomes the lead guard of the offense and in a different system, could thrive as a sophomore.

7. Jaykwon Walton – Wichita State to Alabama

2022-23 stats: 13.9 ppg and 5.3 rpg

After two seasons at Georgia, Walton went the JUCO route for a year before joining Wichita State. He ended up leading the team in scoring while showcasing an elite shooting ability, making 40% of his three-point attempts. Walton was in double figures in 13 of his final 14 games, including a pair of 24-point games in AAC play.

Due to the new transfer rules, Walton may have to sit out next season. But if he’s able to play, the senior transfer gives Alabama a wing with size to replace outgoing freshman start, Brandon Miller. And his shooting is perfect for their offensive system and has the athletic ability to hold his own at the SEC level.