NCAA Basketball: Ranking the top 25 players available in transfer portal in early April
Although the final page of the 2023-24 college basketball season has yet to be written with UConn and Purdue tipping off Monday night for a chance at history, the 45-day transfer portal is in full swing, which started on March 18 and will close May 1, with many high-level, high-impact athletes looking to find a new home this spring.
To many college basketball coaches’ dismay, the transfer portal window opening up a day after Selection Sunday caused coaches who were competing in the NCAA Tournament to work their way into the portal, too. Take a look at what Illinois head coach Brad Underwood had to say about that:
"It's the most absurd thing in the history of sport"#Illini coach Brad Underwood on transfer portal open during NCAA tourney
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) March 31, 2024
"This is ridiculous. I've got 1 coach scouting and 2 just living in the portal. I'm making recruiting calls...as we're preparing for an Elite 8 game" pic.twitter.com/3gTtxN5CeZ
Despite the nature of when the transfer portal should open, there is no doubt that in today’s college basketball climate, adjusting to the portal is necessary to be successful come March.
The last two teams standing start players who have transferred in their collegiate careers with Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton at UConn and Lance Jones at Purdue.
As college basketball will soon begin its painstakingly long eight-month offseason, take a look at the top 25 players currently available in the transfer portal.
*Rankings are through April 6th of portal entries
25. Andrej Stojakovic, Stanford
Stojakovic, the 2023 McDonald’s American four-star product out of Carmichael, CA, didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations in his freshman year, averaging 7.8 PPG and 3.4 RPG on 10 of 32 starts. Despite the inconsistencies this season, there is minimal doubt regarding the upside of Stojakvoic’s skillset, just as many saw in high school. Under the right system, Stojakovic can -- and will -- flourish.
24. Mikeal Brown-Jones, UNC Greensboro
Brown-Jones, who originally started his collegiate career at VCU with a limited role, blossomed under Mike Jones at UNC Greensboro, leading the Spartans in points (18.9 PPG) and rebounds (7.5) on 54% shooting from the field this season. On April 5, Brown-Jones announced his final three schools, per Joe Tipton of On3 Sports: Ole Miss, Kansas State and Pitt. The Philadelphia, PA native and IMG Academy product is an efficient scorer and physical forward who will have one year of eligibility remaining.