The NCAA Tournament is done - which means it's time to turn our full attention to the portal.
And boy oh boy is it crazy!
We've already done Versions I, IIÂ and III of our best players in the portal. And since updating last week, there are a slew of marquee players who've come off the board, with AJ Storr, Jeremy Roach and others making their picks.
Still, the show must go on - and here is Version IV of our list.
Reminder - sure you're following our live blog with all the big transfer names, at @CBBTransfers on Twitter.
We also have a new Instagram account - so make sure you're following that as well.
Now, to our rankings:
1. Johnell Davis, G, Florida Atlantic
With Storr now headed to Kansas, Davis moves to the top our list - and with good reason: He
has obviously been a household name in college hoops circles dating back to Florida Atlantic's Final Four run, but he proved this year, he's as good as any guard in college hoops.
On the season, Davis averaged 18.2 points per game, all while hitting 41 percent from three. He also proved he plays bigger than his size, grabbing six boards per game, despite only standing 6'4. It's also worth noting that he proved he can play his best, against elite competition, dropping 35 points in a December win over Arizona, 26 against Texas A&M and 24 against a College of Charleston squad who made the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to entering the portal, Davis has also declared for the draft - but it seems like coming back to college is his No. 1 priority. Reading the tea leaves online, this feels like it could be a Kentucky vs. Arkansas battle royale for his services.
2. Koby Brea, G/F, Dayton
Put simply, there is one thing that Brea has one skill that is translatable to any level of basketball: He shoots the crap out of the ball.
Brea literally led college hoops in three-point shooting this year, hitting a staggering 49.8 percent from beyond the three-point arc. And it's not as though his attempts were down, as he took over 200 on the season, which equated out to about six per game.
At 6'6 he also has good positional size as a wing, and with one year of eligibility left, he is no doubt one of the most coveted players in the portal.
Brea has the most loaded final list I've ever seen, as he will choose between UConn, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke and Kentucky. The presumption is that the Huskies, Tar Heels and Wildcats are the real players in that recruitment. It will be interesting to see if the (expected) return of RJ Davis at Carolina could change the equation on this.
3. DJ Wagner, G, Kentucky
Bluntly, I had no idea that DJ Wagner was such a polarizing prospect - until I had the audacity to call him a "big portal addition" on social media.
The reactions to that tweet, oh, they came in fast and furious.
Now look, for a guy who was once ranked the No. 1 prospect in the high school class of 2023, did Wagner live up to expectations? He did not.
At the same time, he averaged double-figures for virtually his entire freshman year at Kentucky, added 3.3 assists per game and did it through injuries and twists and turns on the roster. And when it became clear late in the year that Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham deserved "starters minutes" (even while coming off the bench, Wagner seemingly didn't complain and took on a lesser role.
Yes, there are parts of his game (mainly his jumper) which need work. But I'm still betting on the pedigree here, and believe he can be an All-Conference type player next year and can one day develop into a productive NBA player.
4. Jordan Pope, G, Oregon State
I'm probably a little higher than most on Pope, but upon entering the portal - I truly believe he is right up there with Myles Rice (who is also leaving a one-time Pac-12 school) as the best lead guards available.
Pope isn't overly big at 6'2, but is the ultimate lead guard, who averaged 17.6 points and 3.4 assists per game with the Beavers this year while shooting over 37 percent from three. That included an iconic game-winner against eventual Pac-12 champ Arizona earlier this season.
Like other guards on this list, for Pope to be most effective, the ball needs to be in his hands - but again, if you put the ball in his hands and let him go, he can be a high-major All-Conference caliber player, like he was this year with the Beavers.
Pope will choose between Texas and Texas A&M this week.
5. Rylan Griffen, G/F, Alabama
This is an admittedly surprising one, as Griffen was a key contributor on a team that just reached the Final Four - and has real title aspirations in 2024-2025.
But in the portal world, in 2024, I guess nothing should surprise us, right?
Regardless, Griffen is the kind of 6'6 wing everyone covets, with the ability to step out and hit threes. He averaged 11.2 points per game on 39 percent shooting this year, and really was at his best late. That included three straight double-figure scoring efforts during the Tide's Final Four run, including a 19-point performance against North Carolina in the Sweet 16. He isn't an elite defender... yet, but the tools are there.
The buzz for days has been that Kansas is the team to beat for his services.
6. Vlad Goldin, C, Florida Atlantic
With Dusty May leaving Florida Atlantic, you knew it was only a matter of time before some of the Owls' best players decided to depart as well - and Goldin was the first big domino.
The 7'1 center who is originally from Russia was one of the breakout stars of last year's NCAA Tournament run for the Owls, and was only better this year, averaging 15.7 points per game, to go along with nearly seven boards and two blocks per game.
Just about the only thing missing from Goldin's game is a three-point shot, but there's no doubt that he is capable of being a high-major starting center next year.
The only question is, where?
There are obvious ties to May and Michigan, but with the Wolverines taking Yale transfer Danny Wolf this weekend, you'd have to assume they are off the board.
7. Cliff Omoruyi, F/C, Rutgers
Considering that Omoyuri has been in college for four years, you kind of know what you're getting from him at this point: A solid, sturdy, 6'10 center that has been through the wars at the power conference level.
Put simply, if you can average 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a center in the Big Ten, you can hold your own and produce anywhere.
Therefore, if you're looking for a guy to run your offense through, and put up Zach Edey-like 25 and 20 performances, he probably isn't your guy. But if you're looking for a guy who can rebound, defend and play a role at the high-major level, he's the perfect fit.
He'll visit Alabama this week, as he finalizes a decision soon.
8. Jonas Aidoo, C, Tennessee
Another one that was a bit of a shocker, Aidoo entered the portal despite being the starting center on an Elite Eight team in Knoxville this year.
With that said he is moving on, and is an interesting piece in the portal after averaging 11 points, seven rebounds and nearly two blocks per game this season.
At this point, his value comes on the defense end, where he's long, athletic and protects the rim, all while he does most of his work offensively within five feet.
If you're for a stretch five who bangs threes there are other guys for you.
But if you want a five, that will play elite defense and do the dirty work around the rim, he's your guy.
Aidoo is reportedly down to a final four of Baylor, Arkansas, North Carolina and Alabama, with the Bears as the presumed leader. He's visiting Arkansas this week.
9. Cade Tyson, G, Belmont
Sometimes in life you've got to 'Take the L' on stuff, and in earlier editions of this list, we've got to admit that we probably had Tyson a bit too low.
The 6'7 forward has prototypical wing size, and was an absolute monster in two years at Belmont. He averaged 16.2 points and six rebounds this season, all while shooting an absurd 46 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
Ultimately though, it's not just our opinion on him, but instead, the recruiters who follow him. And considering that he's already visited Tennessee and is expected to travel to North Carolina this weekend, it tells us that he is as good as advertised.
10. Brandon Garrison, C, Oklahoma State
Garrison was the first marquee player to enter the portal following Mike Boynton's firing at Oklahoma State, and bluntly, he's one of the most intriguing prospects available as well.
A 6'10 former McDonald's All-American, Garrison had a solid freshman year, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. While those numbers don't blow you away, the counter to that is that well, he was a freshman playing in the Big 12. If Garrison could do that as a freshman in college basketball's toughest league, imagine what he could do with a little bit of seasoning?!
Because of it, Garrison became one of the most coveted players upon entering the portal, as you simply do not see guys with his size, athleticism and upside available.
Coming out of high school, Garrison chose the Cowboys over Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma among others, and what's interesting is that upon entering the portal he was listed as a "do not contact."
That means there's a good chance he already knows where he'll be transferring.
11. Desmond Claude, G, Xavier
Claude wasn't just one of the most improved players in the Big East this year, he was one of the most improved players in all of college basketball.
Just one season after averaging four points per game on a veteran-laden Musketeers squad, Claude broke out, averaging 16.6 points per game, to go along with four boards and three assists.
Outside of a reliable jump shot (he hit just 23.9 percent from three) Claude has all the tools to one-day be an NBA player. He's now in the portal, and we'll see where the interest comes for the guard who is originally from New Haven, CT
12. TJ Bamba, G, Villanova
Bamba is the perfect example of the "grass not always being greener" in the transfer portal. Even when the money might be.
That's because after starring at Washington State two seasons ago, Bamba elected to hit the portal and head to Villanova - in a move most deemed to be NIL related. While he was still productive he saw his 16 point per game average dip to 10 points, and his three-point shooting from 37 percent down to 36 percent.
He is now back in the portal and will look for his third transfer home in three years - but we're still willing to bet on his overall upside, as a dude who has proven he can be the lead playmaker at the power conference level for years now.
13. Â Aidan Mahaney, G, Saint Mary's
Mahaney was yet another relatively shocking transfer portal addition when he decided to enter his name into the transfer portal on Tuesday night.
The 6'3 guard from California was the Gaels leading scorer this year, averaging 13.9 points per game, all while shooting 35 percent from three. That three-point shooting percentage was actually down a bit from 2022-2023, when he shot closer to 40 percent.
Mahaney's list is starting to finalize, as his AAU director Ryan Silver told me that after already visiting Creighton this week, the plan is to visit both Virginia and UConn. He also expects to make one more visit and is deciding between Kentucky, Florida and USC.
14. Great Osobor, F, Utah State
Osobor is a fascinating player, and fascinating case study on this list, on just how much mid-major stats translate to high-major success.
The bottom line is that Osobor was a beast in his one season at Utah State, averaging 17.7 points and nine rebounds per game, earning Mountain West Player of the Year.
At the same time he is also, ultimately, a 6'8 undersized center, with no real three-point range.
It feels like Osobor kind of found the right level of competition for him in the Mountain West, and it'd be interesting to see what kind of production he could put up at the high-major level.
Osobor will take four visits - to Kentucky, Louisville, Texas Tech and Washington, where his former head coach Danny Sprinkle is in charge.
15. Chucky Hepburn, G, Wisconsin
Hepburn's departure was a crushing blow for the Badgers, as a three-year starter who elected to look at other options after the season.
This past year he averaged just under 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, actually see his numbers dip from the 12 points per game on 40 percent three-point shooting he produced in 2022-2023.
Now he's looking for a new home, with the Omaha, NE native being linked to Creighton.
16. Khalif Battle, G, Arkansas
Put simply, Battle is a bucket-getter. And although it took him a little while to get going at Arkansas this year, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was one of the best players by the end of the season.
On the year Battle averaged 14.8 points per game including 35 percent from beyond the three-point arc. However, his last month was just insane, as he scored 20+ points in the Hogs' final seven games. That included a 42-point performance against Missouri, 36 points against Vanderbilt and 34 at Rupp Arena against Kentucky.
Originally from the Northeast, the presumption is that Battle will continue his career somewhere closer to home. He began his career at Temple, and has one season of eligibility remaining.
17. Max Shulga, G, VCU
Shulga does one thing at a truly elite level, and the good thing for him is that it's the skill most currently coveted in basketball: He shoots the crap out of the ball.
In four years at VCU he is a career 39.5 percent three-point shooter, doing so on over 400 total attempts. That includes this past season where he hit 41 percent on over 200 attempts alone.
Shulga is one of the more recent portal additions on this list, so it's hard to know exactly where his recruitment stands, and who are actually players for his services.
18. Adou Thiero, F, Kentucky
Don't let the stats fool you, Thiero was a major portal addition, and a major loss (if he ultimately ends leaving) Kentucky.
The 6'8 forward blossomed into one of the better role players in the sport, averaging 7.2 points and five rebounds per game, but also becoming one of the few pieces at Kentucky who needed the ball in his hands to have success. In the process he became a do-it-all energy guy, that can basically guard four positions.
Yet as the season wore on, Thiero's playing time went up and down, and with a new slew of freshmen on their way to Lexington, he announced he'd transfer, while also leaving open the possibility of coming back, and entering the NBA Draft as well.
Thiero put out a final list last week, that includes his hometown Pitt Panthers, his old school Kentucky, his old coach, John Calipari and Arkansas, as well as North Carolina and Indiana.
19. Andrej Stojackovic, F, Stanford
The third former Stanford player on this list, Stojackovic has as much upside as anyone in the transfer portal.
The 6'7 forward is of course the son of NBA legend Peja and a former McDonald's All-American, who averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 33 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Stojackovic's talents weren't fully on display in his one year at Stanford, but he remains one of the most gifted, all-around players in the high school class of 2023.
It has been hard to get tangible information on his recruitment, although we do know Kentucky has reached out.
20. Pop Isaacs, G, Texas Tech
Isaacs might be the most polarizing player on this board, who has absolutely proven that he can be a lead-guard at the high-major level, who also has holes in his game and baggage off the court as well.
Isaacs was a two-year starter in Lubbock averaging 11.5 points a year ago, before seeing that number increase to 15.8 this season. He also averaged nearly four assists per game. At the same time, his shooting dropped significantly, down to 35 percent from the field and 29 percent from three.
So yes, there were inconsistencies on the court, but also inconsistencies off of it as well, something that will surely scare away plenty of teams.
Still, this list is simply about ranking the "best players available" and Issacs has proven that he can produce in the highest levels of college basketball. That's not something you can say about most others on this list, who were' simply projecting will be good at a high-major level.
21. Tobe Awake, F, Tennesse
22. Dillon Mitchell, F, Texas
23. Kevin "Boopie" Miller, G, Wake Forest
24. Layden Blocker, G, Arkansas
25. Freddie Dillone V, G, Tennessee
Already committed:
AJ Storr, F, Wisconsin - committed to Kansas
Tucker DeVries, F, Drake - committed to West Virginia
Jeremy Roach, G, Duke - committed to Baylor
Myles Rice, G, Washington State - committed to Indiana
Kobe Johnson, F, USC - committed to UCLA
Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford - re-committed to Stanford
Chris Youngblood, G, South Florida - committed to Alabama
Zeke Mayo, G, South Dakota State - committed to Kansas
Mark Mitchell, F, Duke - committed to Missouri
Kanaan Carlyle, G, Stanford - committed to Indiana
Tyrese Hunter, G, Texas - committed to Memphis
Javian McCollum, G, Oklahoma - committed to Georgia Tech
Malik Mack, G, Harv/ard - committed to Georgetown
Michael Ajayi, F, Pepperdine - committed to Gonzaga
Tramon Mark, G, Arkansas - committed to Texas
Amari Williams, F/C, Drexel - committed to Kentucky
Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Kentucky - committed to Arkansas
Alijah Martin, G, Florida Atlantic - committed to Florida
Trey Towsend, F, Oakland - committed to Arizona
Aden Holloway, G, Auburn - committed to Alabama
Oumar Ballo, C, Arizona - committed to Indiana
Kylan Boswell, G, Arizona - committed to Illinois
Terrence Edwards, G, James Madison - committed to Louisville
Jevon Porter, F/C, Pepperdine - committed to Loyola Marymount
Dug McDaniel, G, Michigan - committed to Kansas State
Tony Perkins, G, Iowa - committed to Missouri
JP Pegues, G, Furman - committed to Auburn
Chibuzo Agbo, F, Boise - committed to USC
Tarris Reed Jr., C, Michigan - committed to UConn
Sam Walters, F, Alabama - committed to Michigan
William Kyle III, F, South Dakota State- committed to UCLA
Aaron Bradshaw, C, Kentucky - committed to Ohio State
Tre White, F, Louisville - committed to Illinois
Ryan Conwell, G, Indiana State - committed to Saint Louis
Isaiah Swope, G, Indiana State - committed to Saint Louis
Meechie Johnson, G, South Carolina - committed to Ohio State
Riley Kugel, G, Florida - committed to Kansas
Jacob Crews, F, UT-Martin - committed to Missouri
Andrej Jakimovski, F, Washington State - committed to Colorado
Keyshawn Hall, F, George Mason - committed to UCF
Robbie Avila, F, Indiana State - committed to Saint Louis
Danny Wolf, F/C, Yale - committed to Michigan
Malik Dia, F, Belmont - committed to Ole Miss
J'Vonne Hadley, G/F, Colorado - committed to Louisville
Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado - committed to USC
Josh Cohen, C, UMass - committed to USC
Houston Mallette, G, Pepperdine - committed to Alabama
Jamal Mashburn Jr., G, New Mexico - committed to Temple
Koren Johnson, G, Washington - committed to Louisville