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

6. Dame Adelekun – Dartmouth to Loyola-Chicago

2022-23 stats: 13.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg

The 6’8 forward had a breakout campaign as a full-time starter, leading Dartmouth in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and total assists this past season. Adelekun had 21 points to start the season against Fordham, along with 14 points and 14 rebounds versus Cal State Bakersfield. The senior had the biggest game of his career against Columbia, going for a career-high 41 points on 14/18 shooting in a win.

He joins a Loyola roster that finished dead last in its first season in the Atlantic 10. They have a few salvageable pieces, including returning leading scorer/rebounder, Philip Alston. He and Adelekun would be a nice frontcourt duo next season and more importantly, allows the Ramblers’ coaching staff to focus on the backcourt for the rest of the offseason.

5. Jake Heidbreder – Air Force to Clemson

2022-23 stats: 15.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg

The 6’5 shooting guard was an impact player in each of the first two seasons at Air Force. He led them in scoring this year, including making 40% of his three-point attempts. Heidbreder had six games of at least 20 points, including 27 on 5/8 shooting versus South Dakota. The guard finished the season out strong, averaging 18.3 ppg in the last nine games.

He joins a Clemson roster that’s going to lose some shooting, as Hunter Tyson is set to move on. On the backcourt, starting guard Brevin Galloway is leaving and fourth-year senior Alex Hemenway could be gone as well. Heidbreder also adds size in the backcourt as well, something that was a defensive issue for the Tigers as well.