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 and II of our best players in the portal - and what's wild is, we haven't even done an update since the Final Four, and there are already players who have entered the portal and committed since our last list. Kylan Boswell, we hardly new ya!
Still, the show must go on - and here is Version III 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. AJ Storr, G/F, Wisconsin
Put simply, while most of this list is about talented, but projectable players - either mid-major players moving up, or young players developing down the road - AJ Storr, is a true, bona-fide producer. Who has proven he can do it in multiple power conferences.
After beginning his career at St. John's (where he was one of the few bright spots of Mike Anderson's final season), Storr transferred to Wisconsin, where he gave the Badgers the true star they've lacked for most of the Greg Gard era.
On the year, Storr averaged 17 points per game, while shooting 32 percent from three, and played his best in some of the Badgers' biggest games. That included 20+ points in four of their final five contests, with a 30-point effort in a Big Ten Tournament game loss to Illinois.
Now, following the season, Storr has left his options open, declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering the portal.
It's hard to know if he's actually looking to transfer - or simply wants to see milk Wisconsin's collective for more money. If he does play college hoops next year though - and not go pro - he's a legitimate first team All-American candidate. Wherever he ends up.
2. Johnell Davis, G, Florida Atlantic
Davis 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 - so it's hard to know what his future truly holds. If he does return to college, expect him to be pursued by every program in America.
3. Jeremy Roach, G, Duke
I think you could argue that every stunning transfer portal decision this off-season - Jeremy Roach's was the wildest.
Roach is a multi-year starter at Duke, a team captain and the backbone of a team that made the Elite Eight this season. He also had his best season as a college basketball player, averaging 14 points and 3.3 assists, all while shooting over 42 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Roach has also entered the NBA Draft, so there's a chance he goes pro and doesn't return to college. There's also a chance he's leveraging more money from Duke, in what will be his final year of college hoops.
Regardless, expect him to be as coveted as any player in the portal this off-season.
4. 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" yesterday 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.
5. 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.
An added bonus: He just finished his sophomore year, giving him two seasons of eligibility at his next stop.
6. 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.
7. 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.
UConn and Duke are among the early suitors for him, according to On3's Jamie Shaw.
8. 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, if Goldin wants to follow his former coach to Ann Arbor.
9. 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.
His final list of schools shows just how coveted he is, as North Carolina and UCLA are among the final schools standing in his recruitment.
10. 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.
11. Mark Mitchell, F, Duke
Mitchell is an interesting (and some would say "cautionary") tale of balancing all variables in the modern world of college basketball.
The 67 forward originally came to Duke as a five-star, likely one-and-done forward in the class of 2022. Things didn't work out quite as planned, and in the NIL world, rather than head to the NBA after one year, he instead decided to return to Duke for his sophomore year.
The problem was, he didn't quite develop as planned in Year 2 - and now with a loaded freshman class coming in behind him, there was no spot for him on the 2024-2025 roster.
Yet with all that said, Mitchell is still a very valuable piece for the right team. He's a big, switchable modern-wing, with clear NBA upside and talent, who averaged nearly 12 points per game. The one hold-up with him is that he still isn't much of a three-point shooter (27 percent this year), limiting him in some spots and with some teams.
Again, Mitchell won't be the perfect fit for everyone - but there will be quite a few teams who will be excited to bring him in. Expect his list of suitors to be long.
12. 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.
13. Kanaan Carlyle, G, Stanford
Carlyle got a late start to his freshman season, not appearing in a game for the Cardinal until December - but when he did, he proved why he was one of the 50 best prospects in all of high school basketball in the 2023 class.
The 6'3, athletic, playmaking guard, has NBA upside and showed it in his time with the Cardinal this year. He averaged 11.5 points per game as a freshman, including 31 points against Washington State and another 28 in a win over Arizona.
Carlyle isn't perfect, as he isn't much of a playmaker for others, and his shot needs improvement (32 percent on the year).
But he does have NBA upside, and - as an Atlanta native - expect him to be pursued by pretty much every major SEC and ACC program.
14. Tyrese Hunter, G, Texas
It's certainly been a unique journey for Tyrese Hunter. He was a star on Iowa State's 2022 Sweet 16 team, elected to transfer and spent two up-and-down years at Texas, where he never really developed beyond the player he was in Ames.
So how you look at Hunter really just depends on what you're looking for.
On the positive, he is a lead guard with three years experience in the toughest conference in college basketball. He isn't an elite scorer but can get to the rim at will, and gets others involved, with nearly five assists per game this year.
On the negative is, he's undersized, and while his shot has improved, he's not elite from beyond the arc (34 percent this year).
Still, if you're looking for a lead guard with big-conference experience, you could do much worse than adding Hunter this off-season.
15. Aden Holloway, G, Auburn
I'm maybe a little higher on Holloway than most, and it's for a simple reason: The stats are skewed on Holloway, playing in a Bruce Pearl system in which a lot of players play, and only one or two put up big numbers.
So yes, as a freshman Holloway "only" averaged 7.3 points and three assists per game, but then again, he did it in 20 minutes of play this season. Put another way, if I offered you a point guard who averaged 14 points and six assists per game over 40 minutes as a freshman in the SEC, would you take it?
I would.
Now to be clear, Holloway still needs work, mainly his shooting. He shot 32 percent from the field this year and 30 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Still, he was a McDonald's All-American for a reason and I'm willing to bet on his upside.
As a quick-twitch guard who can get to his spots, get others involved, and doesn't turn the ball over a ton, he can be a star on the right team.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Alijah Martin, G, Florida Atlantic
The third former marquee Florida Atlantic Owl made his transfer portal decision over Final Four weekend, Martin officially joined former teammates Johnell Davis and Vlad Goldin in the portal.
And like those two, he will be highly-coveted.
Like Davis, Martin is a solidly built guard, one who averaged double-figures each of the last three seasons. His best year came during the Owls' Final Four run in 2023, when he averaged 14 points on just under 40 percent three-point shooting.
The only real knock is that Martin is a little small (6'2) for a guard who plays off the ball, but at the same time, in college hoops in 2024 I'm not really sure that matters.
He's a high-major two guard and should have no shortage of opportunities, now that he's available.
19. 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.
20. Trey Townsend, F, Oakland
Townsend became a bit of a college hoops household name this spring, as the best player on the Oakland team that ultimately upset John Calipari and Kentucky in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament. While he didn't have the biggest game against the Cats, he was still the focal point of the scouting report, and a name anyone watching the game got to know.
Regardless, after Oakland's season ended, Townsend elected to enter the transfer portal, where he quickly becomes a slightly coveted undersized wing. This past season the 6'6 junior averaged just over 17 points and eight rebounds per game, all while shooting 37 percent from the field. In the process, he earned Horizon Player of the Year.
Townsend's recruitment appears to be coming down the home stretch, as he will visit Arizona, Ohio State and Louisville this week.
21. Amari Williams, F/C, Drexel
There's nothing else to say, other than that I love this kid.
Originally from England, Williams is a legit 6'11 and a menace in the paint, who averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, in just 22 minutes played per game this year. Those numbers are actually down a bit from a season ago, and Williams is a player who actually is a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year.
With an extra Covid year Williams is testing the transfer portal market while also declaring for the NBA. It'll be fascinating to see if a school can convince him to come back for one more season of college hoops.
Kentucky and new coach Mark Pope, are among the visits he'll make in the coming days.
22. 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.
Should Mahaney go through with the transfer prospect, he instantly becomes one of the best shooters currently available.
23. 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. It'll be interesting to see if he follows former Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle to Washington or tries his shot at another high-major school.
24. 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.
25. 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.
With so many options its hard to even begin projecting where Thiero will play next year, but based on his statement Saturday it seems like a return to Kentucky is more likely than initially thought.
If he does go somewhere else, expect him to be one of the most pursued players in the sport.
26. Jevon Porter, F/C, Pepperdine
Identifying talent was never an issue for former Pepperdine coach Lorenzo Romar, as another one of his former players makes this list.
The 6'11 Porter is the younger brother of NBA players Michael and Johntay Porter, and emerged as a true mid-major star as a sophomore with the Waves this season. In the 2023-2024 campaign, Porter 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, including a 20-point performance versus Gonzaga and a 30-point effort against BYU.
While his shooting numbers weren't great (29 percent from three) they were actually down from 2023, when he hit over 35 percent from three.
It will be fascinating to see what high majors get involved, as Porter would fit well in a lot of different places.
27. Sam Walters, F, Alabama
Sometimes it's about betting on upside, and that's exactly what you're getting on Walters at this point in his career.
The former four-star forward didn't put up monster stats on Alabama's Final Four team this year, averaging just five points and three rebounds per game. However at 6'10, he shot over 37 percent from beyond the three-point arc, and has the size and athleticism needed to one day play in the NBA.
Despite playing a solid role on a Final Four squad, Walters will now look for a bigger role somewhere else. He'll have three years of eligibility remaining.
28. 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.
Expect Stojackovic to be pursued by all the big boys in college basketball, but it's worth noting that he originally chose Stanford over UCLA. You have to wonder if the Bruins will be the frontrunner in his portal recruitment.
29. Isaiah Swope, G, Indiana State
30. William Kyle, F, South Dakota State
31. Andrej Jakimovski, F, Washington State
32. Keyshawn Hall, F, George Mason
33. Dillon Mitchell, F, Texas
34. Robbie Avila, F, Indiana State
35. Danny Wolf, F/C, Yale
36. Kevin "Boopie" Miller, G, Wake Forest
37. Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado
38. Layden Blocker, G, Arkansas
39. Jamal Mashburn Jr., G, New Mexico
40. Koren Johnson, G, Washington
Already committed:
Tucker DeVries, F, Drake - committed to West Virginia
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
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
Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Kentucky - committed to Arkansas
Oumar Ballo, C, Arizona - committed to Indiana
Kylan Boswell, G, Arizona - committed to Illinois
Terrence Edwards, G, James Madison - committed to Louisville
Dug McDaniel, G, Michigan - committed to Kansas State
Tony Perkins, G, Iowa - committed to Missouri
JP Pegues, G, Furman - committed to Auburn
Tarris Reed Jr., C, Michigan - committed to UConn
Aaron Bradshaw, C, Kentucky - committed to Ohio State
Tre White, F, Louisville - committed to Illinois
Meechie Johnson, G, South Carolina - committed to Ohio State
Riley Kugel, G, Florida - committed to Kansas
Jacob Crews, F, UT-Martin - committed to Missouri
Malik Dia, F, Belmont - committed to Ole Miss
J'Vonne Hadley, G/F, Colorado - committed to Louisville
Josh Cohen, C, UMass - committed to USC
Houston Mallette, G, Pepperdine - committed to Alabama