College Basketball Players Move to New Teams in Transfer Portal

Many college basketball players are moving to new teams. PJ Haggerty, who scored 23.4 points per game, is now with Texas A&M.
By Newsroom | Sports, College Sports |

The NCAA men's college basketball landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with numerous players entering the transfer portal. These movements signal a turbulent period for team rosters and recruiting strategies across the nation. Key figures like PJ Haggerty, a guard formerly with Kansas State, have made notable moves, with reports indicating his commitment to Texas A&M.

The transfer portal, a system allowing student-athletes to notify their current institution of their intent to transfer, has become a central stage for roster construction. Once an athlete's name is entered, other programs can freely contact them, fostering a dynamic and often unpredictable player market.

Several players have drawn attention for their statistical output:

  • PJ Haggerty: A guard who averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists at Kansas State. He is described as having a game that is "no secret."

  • Jackson Shelstad: A guard from Oregon, putting up 15.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. He's characterized as a "total bucket."

  • Donnie Freeman: A forward from Syracuse, with averages of 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His potential is described as "salivating."

  • Massamba Diop: An Arizona State center who recorded 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a 7.7 block percentage. He is noted for having "no idea how good he can be."

  • Aiden Sherrell: A center from Alabama, posting 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and an 8.0 block percentage. He possesses "all the tools to be a terrifying two-way big man."

Other notable names and their recent activities include:

  • Isaiah Johnson: Former Colorado guard, now committed to Texas.

  • Collin Chandler and Jaland Lowe: Former Kentucky guards, committing to BYU and Georgetown, respectively.

  • Alex Wilkins: Former Furman guard, heading to Kentucky.

  • John Blackwell: A guard from Wisconsin, reportedly joining Duke.

  • Milan Momcilovic is highlighted as a leading available player.

  • Players like Eruhunmwunse (averaging 6.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) and an unnamed transfer from Cal (averaging 17.4 points) are also on the radar.

The transfer portal process involves specific timelines, with institutions having two business days to enter a transferring athlete's name into the national database. This mechanism fuels constant movement and strategic adjustments for coaching staffs nationwide. Programs like Duke are actively leveraging the portal, adding transfers such as John Blackwell and Drew Scharnowski, alongside incoming freshmen, to bolster their rosters. Meanwhile, teams like the Gators face the challenge of replacing key contributors, with guard Boogie Fland's resurgence being a crucial factor for their aspirations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are many college basketball players moving to new teams?
Many players are using the NCAA transfer portal, which allows them to easily switch to different college teams. This is changing team rosters across the country.
Q: Who are some of the notable players moving?
PJ Haggerty from Kansas State is moving to Texas A&M. Jackson Shelstad from Oregon is also moving. Donnie Freeman from Syracuse and Massamba Diop from Arizona State are other key players.
Q: Where are some players going?
PJ Haggerty is reportedly going to Texas A&M. Isaiah Johnson is moving to Texas. Collin Chandler and Jaland Lowe are going to BYU and Georgetown. John Blackwell is joining Duke.
Q: What is the NCAA transfer portal?
The transfer portal is a system that lets college athletes tell their school they want to transfer. Other teams can then contact these players, creating a market for players.
Q: How does the transfer portal process work?
When a player enters the portal, their school has two business days to add their name to a national list. This allows other teams to recruit them quickly.