Top 10 Players Available In The Transfer Portal

By Sam Kayser

The college basketball world is buzzing with activity as players continue to flood the transfer portal in record numbers. With coaching changes, NBA Draft decisions, and NIL opportunities all playing a role, the portal is the new frontier of roster building in college basketball. As programs race to reload, here’s a look at the top 10 uncommitted players still available.

1. RJ Luis Jr. (St. John’s)

Luis Jr. has emerged as the top player in the transfer portal after Yaxel Lendeborg came off the board this past weekend. Luis Jr. is a high-level scorer with excellent positional versatility and high-upside athleticism. At 6-foot-7 with a smooth handle and a proven ability to create his own shot, he brings the skill set of a modern wing who can impact the game on both ends, making him a priority target for high-major programs looking for a go-to bucket-getter and defensive stopper. Luis Jr. was the Big East Player of the Year this season for St. John’s and will be a huge pickup for whichever school can reel him in. He is currently planning on testing the NBA Draft waters.

2. Rodney Rice (Maryland)

Rodney Rice, the Maryland transfer and former top-100 recruit, is one of the more intriguing guards in the portal. After a tough freshman campaign where he saw a limited role in 2022-23, Rice found his rhythm with the Terps, showcasing his smooth shooting stroke, improved shot creation, and physicality on both ends. He thrived as a combo guard, able to initiate offense or play off the ball, and consistently delivered in big moments throughout Big Ten play. His strong season has made him a highly coveted name in the transfer portal, with some of the top schools in the country looking to bring him in.

3. Wesley Yates (USC)

Wesley Yates, a former-four star recruit out of high school, is one of the most talented young guards in the 2025 transfer portal. At 6-foot-4 with a strong frame and natural scoring instincts, Yates showed flashes of his potential as a freshman despite USC’s struggles and roster turnover. He brings a smooth shooting stroke, confidence off the bounce, and the ability to create his own shot, all traits that make him a high-upside addition for a team looking to invest in a dynamic backcourt piece. With three years of eligibility left, Yates offers both immediate impact and long-term development potential, making him one of the most coveted guards available.

4. Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State)

Jayden Quaintance is one of the most talented bigs in the transfer portal. He’s an 6-foot-9 athletic freak with elite upside, defensive versatility, and a pro-ready frame. Still just 17 years old, he started as a freshman at Arizona State and showed flashes of brilliance with his shot-blocking, rebounding, and rim-running ability. However, there is some concern around his timeline after undergoing ACL surgery on March 19th. While his long-term ceiling is undeniable, it’s still unclear when exactly he’ll be healthy enough to contribute next season, making his immediate impact a question mark for potential suitors. If he was fully healthy, I would have him, maybe, at the top spot on this list, but with injury concerns surrounding him, he comes in at number four.

5. Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana)

Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako entered the transfer portal as one of the top available players thanks to his blend of size, skill, and long-term potential. A former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Mgbako averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds as a sophomore in the Big Ten, flashing his ability to score at all three levels and shoot from deep. At 6-foot-8, he brings a valuable mix of floor spacing, shot creation, and positional versatility. With two years of experience under his belt, he’s poised to be an instant-impact forward who can score in a variety of ways and potentially evolve into a go-to scorer in the right system. The real question for Mgbako will be consistency, as there are games where he really shows up and games where he really no-shows.

6. Ante Brzovic (College of Charleston)

Ante Brzovic, the skilled big man from the College of Charleston, is one of the most sought-after frontcourt players in the transfer portal thanks to his combination of size, feel, and versatility. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 18.4 points and 8.1 rebounds this past season while helping lead Charleston to another solid season. Brzovic has a crafty post game, can stretch the floor a bit with his shooting, and is an excellent passer out of the high post, making him a perfect fit for modern offenses that value spacing and ball movement. With his experience and skill set, he’s ready to make an immediate impact at the high-major level. He will need to be granted an extra year of eligibility to play in 25-26 which I’m told is more likely than not.

7. Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State)

Lamar Wilkerson, the explosive guard from Sam Houston State, has become one of the top mid-major names in the 2025 transfer portal after a standout senior season. He averaged 20.5 points per game while shooting over 44% from three, showcasing his ability to score efficiently both off the dribble and as a spot-up threat. At 6-foot-4 with strong athleticism and a confident scoring mentality, Wilkerson brings immediate value as a combo guard who can create his own shot, space the floor, and defend at a high level. He’s a plug-and-play scorer who could thrive in a bigger role at the high-major level. Lots of talk that Indiana could be Wilkerson’s final destination.

8. LeJuan Watts (Washington State)

LeJuan Watts has quickly become one of the top players in the transfer portal after a breakout sophomore season at Washington State, where he emerged as one of the most versatile and efficient forwards in the WCC. At 6-foot-6 with a strong frame and a high motor, Watts averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting nearly 55% from the field, showing the ability to score inside, defend multiple positions, and rebound at a high level. His physicality, energy, and two-way impact make him a perfect fit for programs looking to add toughness and production in the frontcourt. With two years of eligibility remaining and clear upside, Watts is one of the most valuable forwards available in the portal.

9. Jaron Pierre Jr. (Jacksonville State)

Jaron Pierre Jr., the high-scoring guard from Jacksonville State, is one of the more underrated but highly productive players in the 2025 transfer portal. The 6-foot-4 guard is an athletic, aggressive scorer who averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season, showing the ability to get downhill, finish through contact, and knock down perimeter shots. Pierre also brings experience from multiple stops, including Wichita State, and has proven he can be a star at the mid-major level. He offers a scoring punch, physicality, and toughness that will make him a valuable addition to any backcourt next season. He was the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2024-25.

10. Malik Thomas (San Francisco) 

Malik Thomas, the dynamic scoring guard from San Francisco, is one of the top backcourt options in the 2025 transfer portal after another solid season in the WCC. The 6-foot-5 senior, who began his career at USC, averaged 19.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. Thomas brings a strong, physical frame, a polished scoring package, and the ability to create his own shot which are all traits that will translate well to the high-major level. With his toughness, versatility, and proven production, he’s a high-impact addition for any program in need of a confident, go-to guard. Thomas is also testing the NBA Draft waters, but the expectation is that he will return to school.

As the 2025 college basketball offseason heats up, the transfer portal continues to reshape rosters and redefine expectations for next season. Whether it’s a proven veteran or a breakout star looking for a bigger stage, these top-10 portal prospects all have the potential to be difference-makers next season. As commitments begin to roll in, expect the ripple effects to be felt across the national landscape. Because in today’s day-and-age, winning the portal can sometimes equal winning on the court.

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(Featured Image Credit: St. John’s)