As expected, at least from a player volume standpoint, the transfer portal cooled off on Thursday. Over 1,700 players entered the transfer portal after the first 72 hours. The first three days of the transfer portal were also days that the NCAA tournament was on a break, so it would make sense that players were entering the portal.
The NCAA tournament, the most significant event in the sport, resumed on Thursday, drawing the attention of players and coaches alike. Despite the decrease in the number of players entering the portal, the quality of talent remains high, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
The first three days were mixed. On day 1, we had starters going and looking for a new home. Day 2 saw stars and potential future NBA players entering the portal. All the best players from day 2 will command much NIL money. Day 3 of the transfer portal had role players and lower-level stars looking to transfer to a better conference.
Today, we saw a mixed bag of players entering the portal. There were stars and role players. If you had to pick out one unique thing about day 4 of the portal, it would be the number of players who entered from low majors looking to transfer up a level. Most of those players looking to transfer were stars at the low-major level. Here are the 10 best transfers for day 4 of the transfer portal season.
No. 10 Josh Omojafo - Robert Morris Colonials
11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Robert Morris has faced a challenging offseason, losing four out of five starters and a rotation piece from their NCAA tournament team. Omojafo, who was with Robert Morris for just one season, significantly impacted the team and their journey to the NCAA tournament.
The guard is best when he can get into the paint and to the rim. When he does that, it usually results in a foul, and when Omojafo gets to the line, he makes them at over 80%. Omojafo shoots over 150 free throws. The guard provided a punch from the three-point line, and even though he shot 38% on less than 100 attempts, the guard will still be an asset from the three-point line. He wasn’t a giant part of the offense at Robert Morris, but it wasn’t due to lack of ability.
No. 9 Kam Woods - Robert Morris Colonials
14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists
Woods is the fourth starter for the Colonials to enter the transfer portal. It is unfortunate for Robert Morris after they won 25 games, swept the Horizon League, and took Alabama to the brink of elimination as a 15 seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Woods was the starting point guard for the Colonials and was the catalyst on the offense and defense for Robert Morris.
The point guard is not an efficient offensive player; he has to get the ball to the rim to be effective. Woods is not a great three-point or free-throw shooter, but he averages double figures. The senior still has value because he is an elite passer and a good rebounder for a player of his size. He makes plays that affect winning and has now played in two straight NCAA tournaments. The next destination will be his fifth school in five years.
No. 8 Josh Scovens - Army Black Knights
15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists
It is always strange to see a player from the service academies enter the transfer portal due to their vow of service to the country. However, the Black Knights have seen their best player hit the transfer portal twice out of the last three seasons. Scovens is going to be a coveted player in the portal.
The sophomore forward averaged more points this season because he improved his game and started playing more to his strengths. Scovens isn’t a great three-point shooter, so he took fewer threes and the ball to the rim more. It resulted in a higher field goal percentage, more points, and more free throw attempts. He isn’t a great free throw shooter, but he has the makings of turning into a star for a mid-major program.
No 7. Reed Bailey - Davidson Wildcats
18.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists
This one is hard for the Davidson fans because Bailey would be an excellent piece for a Wildcats team that looked like it would finish near the top of the Atlantic 10 again next season. Instead, the Wildcats' best player is no longer a Davidson basketball player and will play elsewhere next season.
Bailey is one of the best passing big men in the country. He is a proper stretch four who passes the ball, runs the offense, and shoots over 40% from three. There isn’t much that the former Davidson Wildcat can’t do on the basketball court. He can thrive and become an All-American level player in the right situation. Very few players are 6’10” and can do what Bailey does on the court.
No 6. Jacari Lane - North Alabama Lions
17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists
North Alabama was one game from the NCAA tournament when the college basketball world would have learned about one of the best low-major players in the country. Lane is 6’0” tall and stuffs a stat sheet better than most guys who are significantly taller than him. The point guard will have two years of eligibility if he chooses to use them.
The junior point guard has improved every season and has turned into an Atlantic Sun star. He was the best player for the Lions, but when he goes to his new school, the coaching staff will focus on his ability to shoot threes and his 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. North Alabama played great defense all season long, and Lane was the anchor of the defense. He makes an impact on both ends of the floor.
No 5. Jacob Ognacevic - Lipscomb Bisons
20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Ognacevic missed the entire 2023-2024 season, and Lipscomb missed his presence during that season, mainly on the defensive end. The senior big man made up for lost time by having the best season of his career. The Bisons big man dominated the Atlantic Sun every time he touched the floor this season.
It is one thing to average 20 points per game, but it is entirely different when you do it fresh off an ACL tear and have to sit out an entire season. The big man shot over 40 percent from deep, 60% from the floor, and got to the line over 220 times. He made 80% of those shots. Those numbers are suitable for anyone. Add in his eight rebounds per night, and you get a player who will be a top priority in the portal.
No. 4 Terrence Brown - Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists
There will be very few players who hit the transfer portal who can score like Brown can. His 20.6 points were the 10th highest number in the country, and the guard did it in the Northeast Conference with very few people watching him each night. Brown wasn’t just a guy who ran up the score in a lousy conference; he was scoring 20 points against Power Five competition all season long.
Brown took a huge jump this season. The sophomore guard only averaged 7.8 points per game his freshman season, so his jump was unexpected. Brown was a volume shooter this season out of necessity. He knew that he had to be the alpha every night for his team to have a chance to win. He won’t have to do that at his new school but will still average double figures because of his ability to get to the paint and get fouled. You don’t always have to be a great three-point shooter to score points.
No. 3 Michael Nwoko - Mississippi State Bulldogs
6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, .7 assists
Why would a player who averaged these numbers be on the top 10 transfers list? Nwoko is on this list because of his high ceiling and his raw talent, which needs time to grow. I might be too high on the big man, given that he hasn’t shown much in his short career. He started in the loaded SEC and made an impact.
The big man only played 15 minutes for a night for a very guard-oriented team. Nwoko displayed more of any offensive game this season. He was efficient in the paint, but he did show an ability to step out and hit a three. He only shot 14 from deep, but with some coaching, he can get that to 30%, which becomes a threat. Nwoko will play at a power school and make an impact.
No. 2 Michael Ajayi - Gonzaga Bulldogs
6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, .8 assists
What to make of Ajayi? In his freshman season, he scored 18 points and was named to the West Coast Conference all-conference team. That was at Pepperdine when he was far and away the best player for the Waves. At Gonzaga, he never looked comfortable, and it showed, given that his numbers fell off a cliff.
What player is Ajayi? The one who scored 18 a game at Pepperdine while shooting over 40% from three? Or is he the player that the Bulldogs got all year long? It is hard to say, but a change of scenery will do the wing good. He is going to get some offers because of his freshman season.
No. 1 Silas Demary Jr.- Georgia Bulldogs
13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists
The Bulldogs made the NCAA tournament, and Demary was a big part of that run. Demary was Georgia's second-leading scorer. He did the majority of his damage from beyond the three-point line, but he proved he could put the ball on the floor and get to the rim if the team needed it.
Demary Jr. shot 40% from the three-point line, an asset to any team. The guard didn’t need to be the Alpha on offense, but he could run an offense and be the leading scorer. There will not be many guys in the portal who can shoot the ball, including Demery. He is a great player and will go somewhere that the offense builds around him.