As the culmination of the college basketball season approaches, the transfer portal has seen a surge in activity, and many of the nation’s leading programs have assembled noteworthy transfer classes. Some schools have prioritized quantity, while others have emphasized quality, resulting in unexpected rankings.
The reigning national champions, UConn, have modestly acquired two transfers through the portal, as most of their top scorers from the previous season remain with the team. Despite their limited numbers, these transfers exhibit exceptional talent, yielding a high average rating per commit for UConn.
Similarly, North Carolina, another prominent team, has made strategic selections in the portal, addressing two essential positions with highly-regarded transfers. Despite a smaller class, their average rating per commit is impressive, positioning them within the top 10 of the rankings.
Upon evaluating the transfer classes using the average rating per commit method, it becomes evident that other esteemed programs such as Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky have significantly ascended in the rankings. Their pound-for-pound approach has enabled them to compete with schools boasting larger commitment numbers.
Notably, certain schools have achieved a balance between quantity and quality, incorporating both highly-rated transfers and a substantial number of commits. Kentucky, with eight transfers, exemplifies this strategy, narrowly missing the top 10 rankings.
Furthermore, newly appointed coaches have made an impact in the transfer portal, as evidenced by programs like Indiana and Arkansas securing positions within the top 10 with their comprehensive five-man transfer classes. These recent additions are anticipated to significantly influence their respective teams in the upcoming season.
The top 10 pound-for-pound college basketball transfer portal classes are ranked as follows:
10. Indiana Hoosiers
9. Duke Blue Devils
8. St. John’s Red Storm
7. North Carolina Tar Heels
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
5. Gonzaga Bulldogs
4. UConn Huskies
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
2. Kansas Jayhawks
1. Baylor Bears
Each of these programs has made astute and strategic decisions in the transfer portal, and their classes underscore the continually evolving landscape of college basketball.
As the off-season unfolds, it will be captivating to observe how these new transfers assimilate into their respective teams and the influence they exert on the upcoming season. With such competitive classes, college basketball enthusiasts have ample anticipation for the forthcoming season.