The Big East was one of the busiest conferences in college basketball during the offseason, with major names entering and leaving the portal. Several programs reloaded through transfers, reshaping the league’s balance heading into the 2025-26 campaign. From proven scorers to breakout stars, these additions could determine who rises to the top in one of the sport’s most competitive leagues.
Ian Jackson – St. John’s Storm
After one season at North Carolina, Jackson returns home to New York to play under Rick Pitino. The former five-star recruit showed flashes of brilliance as a Tar Heel, averaging 11.9 points per game and 15.3 as a starter. His athleticism and scoring instincts make him a centerpiece for the Red Storm’s high-tempo offense.
Silas Demary Jr. – UConn Huskies
Dan Hurley landed one of the top guards in the portal in Demary, a 6’5 playmaker who thrived at Georgia late last season. He averaged 18.3 points over his final 10 games and brings toughness, length, and defensive versatility to the Huskies. Playing alongside Solo Ball and Braylon Mullins, Demary gives UConn one of the nation’s elite backcourts.
Bryce Hopkins – St. John’s Storm
Hopkins’ move from Providence to St. John’s turned heads across the conference. A former All-Big East selection, he averaged 15.5 points per game in 2023-24 before a knee injury cut his season short. Now healthy, he joins a frontcourt loaded with physicality and experience, giving Pitino another proven scorer who can dominate inside.
Josh Dix – Creighton Blue Jays
A sharpshooter from Iowa, Dix brings perimeter firepower to a Creighton offense that loves to space the floor. He drained shots from deep all season and topped 21 points five times in Big Ten play. His ability to stretch defenses makes him a seamless fit for the Blue Jays’ system, even if he plays off the ball more often.
KJ Lewis – Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas lost key guards but added a versatile one in Lewis from Arizona. He averaged 10.8 points as one of the top sixth men in the country and brings toughness and energy to a rebuilding Georgetown roster. At 6’4, Lewis can score through contact and defend multiple positions, traits that should make him a fan favorite in D.C.
Jason Edwards – Providence Friars
Edwards arrives at Providence after productive stints at North Texas and Vanderbilt. A dynamic scorer, he averaged 17 points per game in the SEC and earned third-team all-conference honors. His offensive creativity should pair well with Kim English’s up-tempo style, helping the Friars’ perimeter attack stay dangerous.
Joson Sanon – St. John’s Storm
Another major St. John’s addition, Sanon joins from Arizona State after a strong freshman finish. He scored 18.8 points per game over his last five contests and fits perfectly into Pitino’s aggressive offense. Sharing the floor with Jackson and Hopkins could make the Red Storm one of the most explosive teams in the country.
Owen Freeman – Creighton Blue Jays
Freeman’s arrival from Iowa gives the Blue Jays a strong interior presence following the departure of Ryan Kalkbrenner. The 6’10 forward was efficient and physical as a freshman before a finger injury ended his season. Creighton expects him to anchor the paint and provide balance to their perimeter-heavy attack.
Impact Across The League
The Big East reloaded in a big way. St. John’s, Creighton, and UConn each added pieces capable of pushing them into national contention, while Georgetown and Providence found players who could spark major turnarounds. With this influx of talent, the 2025-26 Big East race could be one of the most unpredictable and entertaining in years.