56. Denzel Aberdeen, Kentucky
It came as a bit of a surprise when former Florida Gator Denzel Aberdeen opted to elect for the transfer portal, fresh off a national title after looking like he was set to enter the starting lineup for good in 2025-26.
The 6-foot-5 guard was an instrumental rotational piece in an elite backcourt last season, averaging 7.7 PPG, shooting 41.8% from the field. In his five starts with the Gators, he averaged 14.4 PPG, netting a 3.3 assist-to-turnover ratio, according to Drew Franklin of KSR.
Now off to Lexington, Aberdeen will demand an increased role offensively. He slots in as a combo guard, utilizing his length to get to the rim or shoot over defenders behind the arc. He’s explosive. He can take over in crucial moments. Of all the transfer portal pieces heading to Kentucky, Aberdeen will be the X-Factor for the Wildcats this season.
55. Nate Johnson, Kansas State
For Kansas State to get back into the NCAA Tournament, it starts with its backcourt. While Memphis transfer PJ Haggerty obviously steals many of the preseason headlines, there’s another name that cannot be missed: Akron transfer Nate Johnson.
The senior transfer has won 74 games with Zips, averaging 14.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.4 APG. Johnson was arguably the top player in the MAC last season, winning both POY and DPOY honors.
He’s a bigger-sized guard, meaning he can guard 1-through-3 on the perimeter and provide an impact on the boards. Offensively, he’s excellent at getting downhill, something I believe will translate over to entering the 2025-26 season.
54. Jaron Pierre Jr., SMU
It would be a disservice if we left one of college basketball’s most prolific scorers last season off this list. In comes Jaron Pierre, Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard who skyrocketed onto the national scene last season, averaging 21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 3.8 APG at Jacksonville State.
Last season, Pierre shot 42% from the field and 38% from three in a high-volume role, averaging over 17 FGA per game. While he won’t carry that much load offensively this season, Enfield gets a true three-level scorer with deep three-point range and the ability to create for himself in isolation and off ball-screens from the high post.
SMU expects to have one of the more potent backcourts in the ACC next season alongside returnees Kevin (Boopie) Miller, BJ Edwards and Kario Oquendo. Add in Jaron Pierre Jr. and suddenly, the Mustangs have the pieces to make the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26.
53. KJ Lewis, Georgetown
KJ Lewis took a significant step forward last season at Arizona, averaging 10.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 3.0 APG for the Wildcats last season. While his three-point shooting percentage was under 20%, the expectation is that he can find his numbers similar to his freshman season in which he shot 34%.
However, three-point shooting isn’t his calling card. It’s his relentless motor, which allowed him to get to the FT line over four times per game last season.
The ultra-physical guard is a force to be reckoned with in transition and has the physicality to make an impact defensively -- something that shouldn't be disregarded after the Hoyas went from one of the worst defensive teams in college basketball in 2023-24 to one of the top five defensives teams in the Big East last season.