Top College Basketball Transfers Emerge as Portal Opens for 2025 Season

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As the college basketball season concludes, the transfer portal is now bustling with activity, with numerous players making significant moves in hopes of increasing their chances of success on their new teams. With the portal open until April 22, schools are strategically seeking talent to bolster their rosters for the 2025 season.

Highlighting this season’s transfer trends, several premier recruits are already making headlines. Among these players is a five-star sophomore, Quentin Quaintance, who after undergoing ACL surgery in March, is focused on returning to the court and is considered a leading candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft. He was named first-team All-Defense during his freshman year.

Meanwhile, Anthony Dioubate is transferring to Kentucky after being a solid role player for Alabama’s Nate Oats. Dioubate, who has two years of eligibility remaining, ranked as a four-star prospect from the 2023 class.

In another notable move, ACC All-Freshman team member Nait George is entering the portal after a promising first season at Georgia Tech, averaging 12.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Given his deep pick-and-roll skills, he is expected to attract attention from a variety of high-profile programs.

Jeremiah Lewis, who also transferred to Alabama, finished as one of the top rank recruits in the Class of 2023, while former Davidson standout Kellen Bailey, fresh off a first-team All-A-10 honor, is set to join a new program following a career year.

The case of Kevin Ritchie showcases the struggles some face in the portal. After transferring three times, he is moving to Kansas for what will be his fourth school. With just one year of eligibility remaining, Ritchie is seeking a fresh start in hopes of finally securing his place on a consistent roster.

Following the same trend, Stanford’s Tyler Freeman committed to Creighton as he looks to leave Iowa behind after a standout freshman season. Freeman was co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, which showed his ability to excel on a larger stage.

The impact of these transfers is undeniable, with roster regulars including former Ohio State player, Silas Demary, who is transferring to UConn after averaging over 15 points per game in his previous season. Demary’s addition is expected to provide significant offensive depth to the Huskies.

Several schools are utilizing the transfer portal more than ever, and with some players signed to lucrative NIL deals reportedly exceeding $2 million, the recruitment process has evolved into a high-stakes race for talent. Recent figures show that as of Wednesday morning, 1,729 players have entered the portal, and that number is likely to grow as teams strategize for next season.

247Sports has meticulously evaluated each notable contender in the transfer portal, employing data and film analysis to assist schools in assessing the talent available. The influx of skilled players denotes the competitive landscape of college basketball, where the ability to draw top talent via transfers has become essential to establishing winning programs.