Ranking the Top 10 Available Transfers in College Basketball Right Now

1) Tyrese Hunter (Iowa State)

Although the rumor mill was swirling for a while, Hunter entered the transfer portal after a phenomenal Freshman season at Iowa State. Hunter was the primary Guard for an Iowa State team that went all the way to the Sweet 16 in 2022, after winning only 2 total games the year prior. Hunter averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds last season as a Freshman. The 6’0” Guard from Racine, Wisconsin, should have a ton of schools interested as Hunter’s game could elevate to high levels playing in a new spot.

Iowa State won games and got to the Sweet 16 in 2022 by playing harder than you, starting on the defensive side of the floor. Despite getting to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend, Iowa State’s offense had their fair share of tough nights and were only beating good teams with productive nights from Hunter and his backcourt running mate Izaiah Brockington who is now off for the NBA.  Many people were surprised by Hunter’s decision to leave, and it is not something we’d see in years past, especially from someone that had such a spectacular season as a Freshman. However in today’s new era of College Basketball, any player is going to have the chance to seek an opportunity that is better for them, and in this case, Hunter is betting on himself. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to have the ball in his hands at all time at his next destination, like he did at Iowa State which could affect his future outlook. At the end of the day, Hunter was set to emerge as one of the best Point Guards in College Basketball next season, which will give his next suitor significant buzz heading into 2023. 

2) Nigel Pack (Kansas State)

Despite a disappointing ending to the Bruce Weber era in Manhattan, the kid from Indianapolis has been one of the lone bright spots for Kansas State, over the course of each of the last two seasons. After impressively averaging 12 points per game as a Freshman, Pack burst onto the scene this season improving his scoring average to 17.4 points per game, which was third in the Big 12 Conference. In addition, Pack averaged 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 points per game and could shine as a primary ball handler playing with elite talent around him.

A lot of times recruiting transfers could end in disappointing fashion, because the fit isn’t there or there is a tough time adjusting to the new level or style of play. With Pack that is the least of any coaches concerns considering this guy is a proven scorer coming from College Basketball toughest conference that has produced each of the last two National Champions. Pack also shot 43.6% from three as a Sophomore, somehow improving his 40% mark as a Freshman, which really shows his will to get better under any circumstance. In addition, Pack is able to play either guard spot and is someone that can be inserted as a starter at any school in the country. What puts Pack over the top, is that he has two years of eligibility left, and a third if he elects to use his extra COVID-19 year. As a First Team Big 12 Conference team member and a proven bucket getter, there have not been many transfers ever available, with a resume as loaded as Pack’s. He has already visited Purdue and Miami and has a trip to Ohio State planned as well, per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

3) Kendric Davis (SMU)

It isn’t very often that the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year enters his name into the Transfer Portal, but that is exactly what we have here. Davis will search for a new destination, after SMU coach Tim Jankovitch announced his retirement.  Davis has been an All-Conference Player in each of the last three seasons at SMU, while also knowing what it is like to transfer schools.

Davis started his career at TCU, but did a really good job noticing the fit at SMU and it paid off for him in a massive way. Despite being only 6’0”, Davis is an elite playmaker, with great passing ability. Davis averaged 7.6 assists per game in 2021, before his scoring was able to reach new heights this season with a career high 19.4 points per game. To end things at SMU, Davis put on an absolute show in the Mustangs season ending NIT loss to Washington State, when he dropped 30 points while being the clear best player on the floor. Davis’ ability to change pace is what separates him from some of the other great guards in the sport. Having a guy like Davis as your head of the snake, is something that any coach would sign up for. One scout told Stadium’s Jeff Goodman that he is “Elite in pick and roll as both a scorer and facilitator.” Davis recently released a list of his Final 7 schools including Texas, Texas Tech, TCU, Houston, Kansas, Memphis and Gonzaga.

4) Johni Broome (Morehead State)

With the recent addition of the one-time transfer rule, players now have the ability to transfer without sitting out for a season. While a lot of the focus is on the Power 6 teams and how many players they’re losing, it is the mid-major teams that are also affected in a major way. The unfortunate reality in College Basketball in the year 2022, is that if you’re a really good mid-major player, then odds are all coaches at the Power 6 level will be highly interested in your services. While it is great for the player to get that opportunity of transferring up, it leaves mid major coaches in a really tough position of trying to re-recruit their talent.

One of the major reasons why Broome is one of the most sought out transfers on the market right now, was his performance on the big stage in the Ohio Valley Tournament. Broome had 32 points and 8 rebounds in Morehead State’s narrow Championship game loss to Belmont, while also ranking Top 10 nationally in block rate this season. The 6’10” Forward has great touch around the basket combined with elite footwork, which made him one of the better post scorers in all of College Basketball. Broome visited Auburn and Kentucky last week, and would be a major addition for either team, which will be losing a bunch from this past year’s squad.

5) KJ Williams (Murray State)

Williams was one of the primary contributors for Murray State in 2022, who finished an overall record of 31-3 and landed a #7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Williams averaged 18 points and 84 rebounds per game in 2022, en route to winning the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year award. Williams is currently going through the NBA Draft process, which could delay a decision for a bit. However, if he does decide to come back to school he will be one of the best players available.

Williams has a really unique ability to play both inside and outside. The versatile Forward shot 32.7% from three, which was down compared to his 2021 season, where he shot 41.3% from three. Knowing another improvement could be coming in that aspect, makes Williams even more valuable for his potential next suitor. Williams didn’t just dominate against Ohio Valley teams, as he had 12 points and eight boards against Auburn’s monster front line early in the regular season, and had 18 and seven in Murray State’s opening round  NCAA Tournament game against San Francisco. With Williams’ former coach at Murray State, Matt McMahon taking over the LSU job, expect the Tigers to be interested

6) Grant Sherfield (Nevada)

Over the course of his career, Sherfield has already established himself as one of the best dynamic scoring Guards in College Basketball. The 6’2” Guard from Fort Worth, Texas, averaged 19.1 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, which matched his breakout 2021 campaign. Sherfield will be looking for a new home, after Nevada finished with a disappointing 13-18 record.

Sherfield originally committed to UCLA and Steve Alford out of high school, then when Alford was fired spent a year at Wichita State, before reuniting with Alford, over each of the last two seasons in Reno. Sherfield, playing in a more creative offense, could be a game changer, as he did not have the opportunity to play off the ball much at Nevada. Watching Sherfield it is apparent that this guy is not only a special scorer, but is also someone really good at making his teammates better. That unselfish ability combined with solid rebounding numbers show, Sherfield is someone that can impact the game in many different ways, which is any coaches’ dream who is searching for winning players. The bottom line is Sherfield is an impact player that can score the ball and anyone that can get him will be lucky to have the dynamic scoring guard.

7) Terrance Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech)

Shannon has starred at Texas Tech over the course of the last three seasons, but will be looking for a new destination after a somewhat disappointing 2022 season. The 6’6” wing has NBA upside but struggled last year with both a back and knee injury. If Shannon can get himself back in the lineup on a consistent basis, the potential of getting the player we saw Shannon be, over the first two years of his Texas Tech career is worth the add. Even with the offensive struggles, Shannon has shown to be an elite defensive player with an NBA type body that should succeed on defense, despite leaving the Texas Tech system.

At his best, Shannon averaged 12.9 points per game, while shooting 35.7% from three as a Sophomore in 2021. The 6’6” wing was a former top-100 recruit and he can play either the two or three position, while guarding anyone on the floor. Shannon’s versatility on the defensive end, combined with his big game experience has many schools interested, including Michigan. The Wolverines seem like a nice fit for Shannon, as they will be losing their better defensive guards in Eli Brooks and Shannon is a Chicago native, familiar with Big Ten Country. The lefties ability to defend and get to the rim still gives Shannon the chance to be a really productive player at his new destination.

8) Yuri Collins (Saint Louis)

Monday marked one of the busiest days in terms of portal news, since the offseason started. At the center of that attention was Collins, who led all of College Basketball in assists per game last season with 7.9 per game. Collins can score as well, averaging 11.1 points per game this past season at Saint Louis, but is more well known as the pass first Point Guard. Every time Saint Louis took the floor, it was a given that Collins would make the correct decisions with the ball in his hands, and is someone a coach can trust right away even in a new situation.

The one weakness to Collins’ game right now is his three-point shooting ability, as he shot 36.2% from three this season. The positive thing here is that Collins’ three-point percentage drastically improved compared to 2021, when he only shot 24.1% from three. When coaches see Collin’s ability to keep getting better shooting that ball, they will be more and more inclined to go after him. Saint Louis had their fair share of talent over the past few seasons, but couldn’t get over the hump of reaching their ultimate potential. With Collins in a new situation, he will be ready to make an impact right away while making the correct decisions with the ball in his hands.

9) Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Louisiana Tech)

After bursting onto the scene last summer, and winning a Gold Medal with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Championship, the momentum continued into the season for Lofton. The 6’7” Forward averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 53% from the floor in 2022. Lofton starred on Team USA alongside some of the best players in College Basketball including Chet Holmgren, Johnny Davis and Jaden Ivey. Although he didn’t win MVP, an argument could be made that Lofton was the most impactful player on that U19 team and it is apparent he can make a huge impact in a new destination.

Lofton has great touch around the basket and great footwork which are things that all coaches should be looking for in a big man. In addition, Lofton averaged 2.8 assists per game this season, doing a really good job passing out of the double team. Lofton was selected as a first team All-Conference USA member and his numbers improved in all aspects going from his Freshman year to Sophomore year. Many schools have shown interest including Houston, Kentucky, Texas, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Memphis, USC, UC Santa Barbara, Kansas State, Gonzaga and Ole Miss, according to reports.

10) Emoni Bates (Memphis)

While Emoni may not be the best or most sought-after player in the Transfer Portal, he is most certainly the biggest name. Last summer, Bates announced that he would be reclassifying into the High School Class of 2021 and would play for Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Early in his high school career, unrealistic expectations were set for Bates, comparing him to some of the best High School basketball players of all time, including Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Bates failed to live up to those expectations, as he was ineffective, only playing in 18 games before getting injured.

 Bates did look better in a limited role when he returned to the lineup in the NCAA Tournament, however it was clear from pretty early on that Bates at Memphis was not going to work. Now the question is, what does Bates’ future hold? Emoji is still super young and his game just needs some maturation. The perfect place for that would be GLeague Ignite and playing with a bunch of veteran NBA players where the pressure is completely off and there aren’t as many eyes on you compared to in college. There will be a handful of college teams interested in Bates’ services, but not as many as one would think for a guy who has so highly touted out of high school.

Emoni was not ready to play College Basketball last season, and considering his age plus the fact that he didn’t play against the best competition in High School things didn’t work out. Combined with the unrealistic expectations, Bates needs a place where he could go and focus on the simple things, because with his potential the future should still be bright.