Which top college basketball transfer portal prospects are still available?
Cody Nagel
The list of top college basketball transfer portal players still available from this recent cycle is dwindling fast. High-end talent is at a premium heading into the second half of May as teams try to fill remaining gaps in their respective 2024-25 rosters. So, who are the best available names still left on the board?
More than 2,000 players entered the transfer portal during the record-setting 45-day window this spring. However,less than 20 of the top 100 prospects in the latest individual transfer players rankings are uncommitted. Some of those also entered their name into the 2024 NBA Draft pool while leaving the option of a return to college basketball open. Those players have until May 29 to withdraw and retain their college eligibility.
Recruiting visits for transfers continue which makes this list fluid as final decisions come from some of the best portal prospects remaining.
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Below is a closer look at the updated best available prospects in the college basketball transfer portalas of Sunday (May 19) at4:10p.m.ET:
1. Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No.3 SF | No. 10 overall
Jamir Watkinsinitiallydeclared forthe 2024 NBA Draft, but also entered his name into the college basketball transfer portal shortly before it closed earlier in May. The former Florida State small forward led the Seminoles in scoring this past season with 15.6 points per game as a junior. He also posted a team-high 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest while shooting 45.7% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range. Watkins has untilMay 29 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and appears set on at least keeping a potential return to college as an option for the 2024-25 season.
2. Chaz Lanier, North Florida
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No.3 SG | No. 11 overall
Chaz Lanierexperienced a breakout season at North Florida and looks to take advantage of a rise in his stock with an additional year of eligibility. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound shooting guard averaged 19.7 points while shooting 51.1% from the field and 44.0% from 3-point range this past season. Lanier averaged less than five points per game during his first three seasons with the Ospreys.Prior to receiving an invite to the G League Elite Camp, Lanier was expected to take visits to both Tennessee and Kentucky, according to Travis Branham. The two SEC programs remain in a battle to land the prized transfer.
3. Jaylen Wells, Washington State
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No. 4 SF | No. 15 overall
Jaylen Wellsplayed a key role in helping Washington State return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years, but the 6-foot-8, 205-pound wing is one the move against after just one season in Pullman. Wells earned Division II All-America honors at Sonoma State before joining the Cougars. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 43.6% from the field at Washington State. Wells entered the transfer portal and could be a pivotal piece for a high-major program in 2024-25, but the NBA Draft might be the most likely option.
4. Cameron Christie, Minnesota
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No. 4 SG | No. 16 overall
Minnesota freshman guardCameron Christieentered the transfer portal just before the deadline after previously declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound shooter averaged 11.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while hitting 40.3% of his field goal attempts, including 39.1% from 3-point range this past season. He ranked as a top-100 prospect coming out of high school in the 2023 class and an early start to his NBA career seems most likely with his transfer recruitment quiet, according to Travis Branham.
5. Wooga Poplar, Miami
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No. 5 SG | No. 19 overall
Miami suffered a handful of major transfer departures, including one of its top scorers inWooga Poplar, who averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this past season. He has one year of eligibility remaining after developing into an explosive wing during his time with the Hurricanes. Poplar recently opened up about his on-going transfer process at the G League Elite Camp.Arkansas, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky and Villanova have all been in contact, according to Isaac Trotter.
6. Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 96 rating | No. 4 PF | No. 24 overall
While the NBA Draft remains top priority for Illinois transferColeman Hawkins, his name is in the transfer portal with the option to return to college for another season. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound stretch big man shot 36.9% from 3-point range this season while averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. Those programs in need of a versatile big man expect to make a strong push for Hawkins. He has one additional year of eligibility remaining after a four-year stint at Illinois where he started in 82 of 126 games played. North Carolina is a potential option for Hawkins should he decide to return to college for another season.
7. JT Toppin, New Mexico
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 5 PF | No. 28 overall
New Mexico big man and Mountain West Conference Co-Freshman of the YearJT Toppinentered the transfer portal late just before the spring window closed. The 6-foot-9, 210-pound standout for the Lobos averaged 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and shot 62.3% from the field this past season. He has three years of eligibility remaining after just one season at New Mexico where he impressed as a freshman. While Texas and Texas Tech looklike potential transfer destinations, Toppin continues to go through the NBA Draft process, according to Travis Branham.
8. Jaxson Robinson, BYU
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 8 SF | No. 36 overall
Jaxson Robinsoninitially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, but also entered the transfer portal with the option of returning to college basketball for a fifth and final season. The 6-foot-7, 190-pound small forward from BYU is expected to consider following head coach Mark Pope to Kentucky whileweighing other destinations. Robinson won the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honor after averaging 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while connecting on 42.6% of his shots. He began his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Arkansas for one season and eventually making a move to BYU where he spent the past two years.
9. DJ Wagner, Kentucky
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No. 8 PG | No. 38 overall
Can Arkansas and new head coach John Calipari land another former Wildcat in the transfer portal?DJ Wagnervisited Fayetteville as one of the top portal players left on the marketand could add another important piece to what is already the No. 1 ranked transfer class in the nation. Florida and USC were previously involved in the former five-star recruit. Wagner started in 28 games for Kentucky this past season, averaging 9.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists.Heis the son of former Memphis star DaJuan Wagner, who played for Calipari and the Tigers.
10. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 95 rating | No.6 PF | No. 41 overall
Trevon Brazilespent two seasons at Arkansas after transferring in from Missouri. The 6-foot-10, 220-pound power forward averaged 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as a regular starter for the Razorbacks this past season. He did miss most of February with knee soreness. Brazile played in just nine games during his sophom*ore campaign after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee. He still has at least one year of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
11. Miles Kelly, Georgia Tech
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 94 rating | No. 12 SG | No. 66 overall
Georgia Tech leading scorerMiles Kellyhit the transfer portal in late April shortly before the window closed. The 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard also entered the 2024 NBA Draft. Kelly averaged 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 36.9% from the field and 32.1% from 3-point range this past season. If Kelly does decide to return to college basketball for another year, the option of going back to Georgia Tech could be on the table if a spot remains open.
12. Chris Ledlum, St. John's
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 94 rating | No. 15 SF | No. 75 overall
Chris Ledlumis back in the transfer portal after just one season at St. John's. The former Harvard product averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists as a starter for the Red Storm during the 2023-24 campaign. Although his production decreased, Ledlum still made a significant impact for St. John's while hitting 42.7% of his field goal attempts. He entered the 2024 NBA Draft, but also applied for a waiver to be able to return to college basketball for another season.
13. Garwey Dual, Providence
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 93 rating | No. 10 CG | No.112overall
Garwey Dual spent just one season at Providencebefore entering the transfer portal and also declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. If the feedback is poor for the former top-50 recruit, Dual will look to continue his college career elsewhere. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound combo guard averaged just 3.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in less than 20 minutes of action per game this past season. He made six starts while playing in 33 games.
14. Ven-Allen Lubin, Vanderbilt
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 93 rating | No. 17 PF | No.117 overall
Ven-Allen Lubin led Vanderbilt in both rebounds and blocks this past season after making a significant improvement as a sophom*ore. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward entered the transfer portal in early May just before the deadline and has since been on the radar for North Carolina. Lubin took an official visit to Chapel Hill last week but has not yet made a decision on his transfer recruitment. He averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field during the 2023-24 campaign.
15. Wesley Yates, Washington
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4-star | 93 rating | No. 11 CG | No.118 overall
Wesley Yates did not see any action during his freshman season at Washington. The former top-60 recruit missed the entire campaign due to injury and still has four years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound shooting guard from Beaumont (Texas) United averaged 19.7 points and 4.0 rebounds as a senior, helpingTimberwolves to a second consecutive Texas 5A State Championship in 2023. Yates visited Louisville in late April, but has yet to make a transfer decision.
