More than 1,200 players are already in the transfer portal, and that number will probably keep rising over the next few months. The NCAA is still expected to approve the one-time transfer waiver, meaning a player who hasn’t already transferred will be immediately eligible at his new school. Seniors can get a free extra season because of the pandemic. There has never been more freedom of movement in college basketball.
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The hard part with the portal is keeping up with all of this movement. That’s why The Athletic has created our best available players tracker. We’re ranking the top uncommitted transfers and prep prospects, and we’ll constantly update this list as chess pieces come on and off the board. Note we are not including high school players we don’t expect to see in a college uniform, such as five-stars Jaden Hardy and Michael Foster. Recruits who could potentially reclassify into the Class of 2021 won’t be included until they announce such plans. We’ll change as those situations warrant. College players here are listed by the class in which they’ll participate in the 2021-22 season.
Without further ado …
1. Kofi Cockburn, 7-foot big, junior, Illinois
Of all the players in the transfer portal era, there may not be one bigger — literally and figuratively — than Cockburn. He was a second-team All-American who finished 7th in KenPom.com’s player of the year standings, an immovable post presence who averaged 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for an Illini team that earned a No. 1 seed. The Jamaican center’s game is all about power, and as someone who got a late start in basketball, he’s still developing his skills. Sure, there are some concerns about perimeter defense when he’s on the floor, which is why Cockburn isn’t high on NBA Draft boards. But he’s not a stiff by any means, and spacing issues are less of a concern in the college game than at the next level. He’s simply a dominant big man at this level, one whose size and strength are hard for most teams to counter. If Cockburn does indeed transfer, he could swing the balance of power in a conference and perhaps on the national scene.
2. Kevin Obanor, 6-8 forward, senior, Oral Roberts
You want a switchable wing who can drill 3s and rebound? Of course you do. Everybody does. They are the currency of modern basketball, and Obanor might be the most valuable one available. He played in relative obscurity most of his career before becoming a star in March during the Golden Eagles’ improbable Sweet 16 run. Obanor torched No. 2 seed Ohio State with 30 points (including 5-of-12 3-pointers) and 11 rebounds in a first-round upset, then hung 28 and 11 on Florida. He scored in double figures in every game last season, averaging 18.7 points and 9.6 rebounds with shooting splits of .503/.463/.875. Yeah, that’ll play. Can Obanor be as effective without Max Abmas, his partner in devastating pick-and-roll actions? That remains to be seen. But Obanor has all the skills that are in high demand throughout every level of the sport.
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3. Marcus Carr, 6-2 guard, senior, Minnesota
Transfer portal watchers jump out of their seats when they see a name like Carr pop up. He is the premier lead guard transfer on the market this year, a point guard who has already made the All-Big Ten team and was on the top-20 late season watch list for the Wooden Award. He is a superb playmaker with ball in hand who can get his own shot and create for his teammates at the collegiate level. He was top-10 in the country in assists per game last year at 6.5, then this year upped his scoring to 19.4 points per game as Minnesota needed a lead scoring threat. He’s a clutch shot maker and tough-nosed point guard who would make just about any team better. Carr withdrew from the NBA Draft and does not appear inclined to return to the Gophers.
4. Marcus Bagley, 6-8 wing, sophomore, Arizona State
Bagley is considered a potential first-round pick in 2021, but his draft stock has a wide range because he was a late riser in a weird COVID-shortened high school season, then only played 12 games as a freshman. But he’s an athletic 6-foot-8 wing with athleticism and can shoot it off the catch. He has prototypical measurements for the NBA wing. He averaged 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds while showcasing some real defensive potential. The situation at Arizona State didn’t look particularly fun this year given the high talent level and the lack of wins, so Bagley will probably transfer if he goes back to school. Bagley is good enough to where it’ll be a real decision, but if he chooses to return, he’ll be one of the most sought-after guys.
5. Jaden Shackelford, 6-3 guard, junior, Alabama
A second-team All-SEC performer who led a top 10 team in scoring. Think that’s something that might interest a few teams? Shackelford paced the Crimson Tide at 14 points per game while shooting 34 percent from 3 and playing both guard spots for Nate Oats. He also scored 15 points per game as a freshman. He can be a streaky shooter with an itchy trigger finger, but when Shackelford is on, he can drop 20 on just about anybody. He also rebounds well for a guard, averaging more than four boards per game for his career. Shackelford is best when operating off the bounce, likes to get in the lane and doesn’t mind contact. His overall court awareness could use some fine-tuning, but he is just entering his junior season. A power conference team could plug him into its starting backcourt and be very happy.
6. E.J. Onu, 6-11 big, super senior, Shawnee State
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Here is a fascinating one. Onu’s career has come in the NAIA, where he was a two-time All-American and where he led his team to a national title this season. His numbers in 2020-21 were pretty silly: 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks (!), while shooting 57 percent from the field, 40 percent on 130 3-point attempts and 75 percent from the foul line. He has a reported 7-foot-6 wingspan. On film, he shows a fluid jump shot and aggressive finishing moves, though he is physically overwhelming most opponents at the NAIA level. It’s obviously a huge jump up to Division I, but the physical gifts and skills are undeniable. Onu is a Cleveland native, so landing with a Big Ten team makes some sense here. He has also declared for the NBA Draft. Whatever path he chooses, it will be super interesting to follow the developments.
7. Alterique Gilbert, 6-0 guard, senior, Wichita State
One of the better turnaround stories of the last year. Gilbert dealt with more injuries in his first few years in college than just about any other player in the country after getting to Connecticut as a high-end four-star point guard. He was a McDonald’s All-American and Mr. Basketball in state of Georgia in 2016. He tore his labrum in his left shoulder as a freshman, though, then reinjured it as a sophomore, resulting in only nine games played in his first two years. Then as a junior, he hurt the shoulder against and missed a few weeks, then missed a group of games at the end of the season due to a concussion. Throughout this time, he has dealt with mental health issues, in large part due to the stress caused by the injuries and the focus on his future. In his fourth year, he started 20 games but clearly was still adjusting to the new realities of his game. But this season he transferred to Wichita and finally showed some of what he could do. He averaged 10 points and 4 assists, winning third-team All-AAC honors while sharing the lead guard duties with Tyson Etienne. Gilbert is a testament to courage and toughness, a willingness to fight through tough times while also not being afraid to admit when you need help. Any team in need of a tough lead guard would be smart to give Gilbert a call, given his experience for an NCAA Tournament team as an all-league player.
8. Steffon Mitchell, 6-8 forward, senior, Boston College
Mitchell is one of the better under-the-radar guys in college basketball. He has a case as one of the five best defensive frontcourt players in the country, a mobile threat who makes all the reads and wreaks havoc. He’s also a switchable defender on the ball and is a smart shot-blocker inside. He made the ACC’s All-Defense team in 2020. The fact that Mitchell didn’t even get a vote for ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 shows that nobody watched Boston College after mid-January. He’s a difference-maker on that end. His offense is a bit more hit or miss, but the old Boston College staff says Mitchell bangs 3s like it’s nothing in practice, so there is high-end 3-and-D potential if Mitchell ends up in the right situation. He’s older, so he may decide to go pro. But Mitchell is the kind of player who goes drastically underrated who, if he found the right spot, could help a high-major title contender as a role player.
9. Keith Williams, 6-5 guard, super senior, Cincinnati
Here is what Cincinnati beat writer Justin Williams (no relation) had to say about the Bearcats’ leading scorer entering the portal in late June: “It was a surprise to see Keith Williams’ name in the portal after the former Cincinnati guard announced in April he was entering the NBA Draft and would be hiring an agent. Williams has elite athleticism and made massive strides during his four years with the Bearcats, culminating in a team-high 14.3 points per game and all-conference honors last season. He’s a streaky shooter and too often loses focus on the defensive end, but if he can sort out any potential eligibility issues, he can add scoring and versatility to a team in need of an offensive punch.”
Players previously ranked
(Ranking at time of commitment)
No. 1 Chet Holmgren (high school to Gonzaga)
No. 1 Patrick Baldwin (high school to Milwaukee)
No. 1 Remy Martin (Arizona State to Kansas)
No. 2 TyTy Washington (high school to Kentucky)
No. 3 Hunter Sallis (high school to Gonzaga)
No. 3 Bryce Thompson (Kansas to Oklahoma State)
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No. 3 Tre Mitchell (UMass to Texas)
No. 4 Walker Kessler (UNC to Auburn)
No. 4 Sahvir Wheeler (Georgia to Kentucky)
No. 4 Bryce Hamilton (pulled out of portal)
No. 5 Timmy Allen (Utah to Texas)
No. 5 K.D. Johnson (Georgia to Auburn)
No. 5 Jacob Young (Rutgers to Oregon)
No. 6 Adam Miller (Illinois to LSU)
No. 6 Quincy Guerrier (Syracuse to Oregon)
No. 7 Kadary Richmond (Syracuse to Seton Hall)
No. 7 Nolan Hickman (high school to Gonzaga)
No. 8 Matt Bradley (Cal to San Diego State)
No. 9 Trevor Keels (high school to Duke)
No. 9 Garrison Brooks (North Carolina to Mississippi State)
No. 9 Tamar Bates (high school to Indiana)
No. 9 James Akinjo (Arizona to Baylor)
No. 9 Mac McClung (pulled out of portal)
No. 9 Efton Reed (high school to LSU)
No. 9 Rocket Watts (Michigan State to Mississippi State)
No. 9 Darryl Morsell (Maryland to Marquette)
No. 10 Earl Timberlake (Miami, Fla., to Memphis)
No. 10 Marreon Jackson (Toledo to Arizona State)
No. 10 Rasir Bolton (Iowa State to Gonzaga)
No. 10 Bryson Williams (UTEP to Texas Tech)
No. 11 Kellan Grady (Davidson to Kentucky)
No. 11 Toumani Camara (Georgia to Dayton)
No. 11 Jonas Aidoo (high school to Tennessee)
No. 11 Oumar Ballo (Gonzaga to Arizona)
No. 11 Marvin Johnson (Eastern Illinois to Oklahoma)
No. 12 Marcus Williams (Wyoming to Texas A&M)
No. 12 Christian Bishop (Creighton to Texas)
No. 12 Xavier Pinson (Missouri to LSU)
No. 12 DeVante’ Jones (Coastal Carolina to Michigan)
No. 12 Jordan Brown (Arizona to Louisiana)
No. 13 Brandin Podziemski (high school to Illinois)
No. 13 C.J. Fredrick (Iowa to Kentucky)
No. 14 Nimari Burnett (Texas Tech to Alabama)
No. 14 De’Vion Harmon (Oklahoma to Oregon)
No. 14 Jalen Pickett (Siena to Penn State)
No. 15 Justin Powell (Auburn to Tennessee)
No. 15 Jaemyn Brakefield (Duke to Ole Miss)
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No. 15 Jalen Coleman-Lands (Iowa State to Kansas)
No. 16 Qudus Wahab (Georgetown to Maryland)
No. 16 Tyson Walker (Northeastern to Michigan State)
No. 17 Te’Jon Lucas (Milwaukee to BYU)
No. 18 Myles Johnson (Rutgers to UCLA)
No. 18 Charles Bediako (high school to Alabama)
No. 18 Jayden Gardner (East Carolina to Virginia)
No. 18 Micah Peavy (Texas Tech to TCU)
No. 18 D.J. Jeffries (Memphis to Mississippi State)
No. 18 Emanuel Miller (Texas A&M to TCU)
No. 19 Brady Manek (Oklahoma to UNC)
No. 19 Tanner Groves (Eastern Washington to Oklahoma)
No. 19 Kobe Elvis (DePaul to Dayton)
No. 21 Khristian Lander (staying at Indiana)
No. 21 K.J. Simpson (high school to Colorado)
No. 21 Langston Wilson (Georgia Highlands College to Washington)
No 22 Ledarrius Brewer (staying at East Tennessee State)
No. 23 Wesley Cardet (high school to Samford)
No. 24 Liam Robbins (Minnesota to Vanderbilt)
No. 24 Daejon Davis (Stanford to Washington)
No. 24 Jayveous McKinnis (staying at Jackson State)
No. 25 Kyler Edwards (Texas Tech to Houston)
No. 26 Henry Coleman (Duke to Texas A&M)
No. 27 Armaan Franklin (Indiana to Virginia)
No. 27 John Harrar (staying at Penn State)
No. 27 Aundre Wyatt (LSU to Rutgers)
No. 28 Jamison Battle (George Washington to Minnesota)
No. 28 Myreon Jones (Penn State to Florida)
No. 28 Devin Askew (Kentucky to Texas)
No. 28 Cam’Ron Fletcher (Kentucky to Florida State)
No. 29 Seth Lundy (staying at Penn State)
No. 29 Xavier Johnson (Pitt to Indiana)
No. 29 Stanley Umude (South Dakota to Arkansas)
No. 30 Zach Nutall (Sam Houston State to SMU)
No. 30 Chris Lykes (Miami, Fla., to Arkansas)
No. 30 Kyler Edwards (staying at Texas Tech)
No. 30 Noah Locke (Florida to Louisville)
No. 30 Boogie Ellis (Memphis to USC)
No. 30 Charlie Moore (DePaul to Miami, Fla.)
No. 31 Bobby Pettiford (high school to Kansas)
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No. 32 Tyler Kolek (George Mason to Marquette)
No. 33 A.J. Bramah (Robert Morris to Arizona State)
No. 34 Parker Fox (Northern State to Minnesota)
No. 34 Noah Gurley (Furman to Alabama)
No. 37 Jamal Mashburn Jr. (Minnesota to New Mexico)
No. 37 Nate Reuvers (turning professional)
No. 37 Wendell Green (Eastern Kentucky to Auburn)
No. 38 Jabri Abdur-Rahim (Virginia to Georgia)
No. 38 Rollie Worster (Utah State to Utah)
No. 39 Jay Heath (Boston College to Arizona State)
No. 39 Parker Stewart (staying at Indiana)
No. 39 Michael Flowers (South Alabama to Washington State)
No. 39 Joel Soriano (Fordham to St. John’s)
No. 40 Cole Swider (Villanova to Syracuse)
No. 40 Theo John (Marquette to Duke)
No. 41 Brandon McKissic (UMKC to Florida)
No. 43 Fatts Russell (Rhode Island to Maryland)
No. 43 C.J. Felder (Boston College to Florida)
No. 43 Phlandrous Fleming (Charleston Southern to Florida)
No. 44 Au’diese Toney (Pittsburgh to Arkansas)
No. 45 Greg Parham (VMI to South Alabama)
No. 47 Tre King (Eastern Kentucky to Georgetown)
No. 48 Al Durham (Indiana to Providence)
(Top photo of Marcus Bagley: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)