With the final nets cut down, the 2024-25 college basketball season has now concluded. However, that doesn’t stop the talk from starting for the 2025-26 campaign, with the transfer portal and NBA Draft decisions already underway.
But plenty remains to watch among the many moves set to be made in the coming days and weeks. Here’s a look at the eight most important decisions to watch.
8. Graham Ike - Gonzaga Bulldogs
2024-25 season stats: 17.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg
The senior forward led Gonzaga in both scoring and rebounding, shooting 60% from the field. Ike had a number of big outings and would be one of the best-returning players in college basketball if he returned for a 6th year. But after missing an entire season a couple of years ago, Ike may want to start his pro career now. If that happens, the Bulldogs may not be ranked to start next season.
7. Thomas Sorber - Georgetown Hoyas
2024-25 season stats: 14.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg
In a year filled with quality freshmen, Sorber was one of them, who was arguably the Hoyas’ best player before a season-ending injury. He’s currently in the NBA Draft process with a first-round projection. If he comes back, Georgetown will be a legit NCAA Tournament contender. But if he’s gone, the team will have to rebuild once again.
6. Darrion Williams - Texas Tech Red Raiders/portal
2024-25 season stats: 15.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.6 apg
The 6’6 "forward is a two-time All-Big 12 performer and one of the best all-around players in the country. He’s entered both the NBA Draft and portal process, so if he returns from college, Williams could be the most high-profile free agent a month from now. Texas Tech was able to get JT Toppin to come back earlier; can they do the same with Williams?
5. Otega Oweh - Kentucky Wildcats
2024-25 season stats: 16.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg
In a historically good year for the Wildcats, Oweh led them in scoring, shooting 49% from the field. Kentucky has landed a few transfers, but after missing out on 20-point-per-game scoring guard Lamar Wilkerson, they could use Oweh's return from the draft process to solidify having a top-10 roster for next season.
4. Chad Baker-Mazara - Auburn Tigers
2024-25 season stats: 12.3 ppg and 3.0 rpg
The 6’7 forward is one of the only players able to return to Auburn if he wants to. Baker-Mazara shot 38% from deep and is one of the most versatile players in the SEC. His choosing to return would be massive for the Tigers not having to completely start over and remaining a contender in the league in 2025-26.
3. RJ Luis - St. John’s/Transfer portal
2024-25 season stats: 18.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg
A Power Conference Player of the Year winner rarely hits the portal, but that’s what the best player in the Big East did. And compared to Williams and Texas Tech, it’s hard to see Luis going back to St. John’s. So if he doesn’t stay in the NBA Draft, Luis instantly becomes the top available player in the portal.
2. Yaxel Lendeborg - Michigan Wolverines
2024-25 season stats (at UAB): 17.7 ppg and 11.4 rpg
The 6’9 forward is a two-time DPOY in the AAC and one of the biggest stat-stuffers in all of college basketball. He committed to the Michigan Wolverines in the portal already as the replacement for outing all-league forward Danny Wolf. However, there’s a real chance that Lendeborg stays in the draft as a possible first-round pick. It would be a big blow for Michigan if their prize offseason pickup never comes to fruition.
1. PJ Haggerty - Memphis Tigers
2024-25 season stats: 21.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 3.7 apg
Haggerty was both the AAC Player of the Year and All-American, one of the top pure scorers in the country. He’s yet to announce his intentions for either the draft or the portal, where Haggerty would instantly be a top free agent. If Memphis can keep him, they’ll be a top-25 team. But if not, making the NCAA Tournament in 2026 will be an uphill climb for them.