The 2025 college basketball transfer portal is alive, well, and somewhat daunting for all involved. More than 1,000 players have entered the portal since it opened, and the numbers will continue to increase as players' seasons conclude. All the madness results in a plethora of tweets about who is entering, what schools are pursuing certain players, and visits that are being set. Focusing on the top names (in alphabetical order by last name), we will highlight the schools reaching out to the most talked-about and highest-ranked players at the big man position in the portal.
With the national champion determined, the spotlight has shifted to the transfer portal, which is now the main focus for virtually every college basketball team across the nation. As of April 13, 2025, the transfer activity has ramped up significantly, leading to a flurry of movement among players seeking new opportunities.
One of the most notable transfers occurred on April 13, when Michigan State guard Tre Holloman announced his decision to transfer to North Carolina State for his senior season. Holloman spent three seasons with the Spartans, where he started the first 16 games of the past season before losing his spot to freshman Jace Richardson. Despite that setback, Holloman played a crucial role in Michigan State's Elite Eight run. His move to NC State comes as the program ushers in the Will Wade era, with Holloman expected to contribute significantly to a backcourt that already includes Quadir Copeland and Alyn Breed.
Another significant transfer on the same day was Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson, who is heading back to his hometown of Chapel Hill to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. After two seasons at Alabama, where he averaged 5.3 points and three rebounds per game, Stevenson is set to make an impact in his new role.
On April 11, UCLA's 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara made headlines by transferring to Michigan. Mara, who primarily came off the bench during his time at UCLA, averaged 6.4 points, four rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in a Bruins team that reached the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. His addition to Michigan, which was a No. 5 seed in the tournament and reached the Sweet 16, is expected to bolster their frontcourt.
Virginia guard Isaac McKneely also made a splash on April 11, transferring to Louisville to wrap up his college career. McKneely led Virginia in scoring last season and ranked first in the ACC in 3-point percentage at 42.1%, making him a valuable asset for the Cardinals.
Florida Atlantic forward Kaleb Glenn transferred to Michigan State on April 10, marking his second consecutive transfer. Glenn averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season and joins a Spartans team that secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa guard Pryce Sandfort also made headlines on April 10, transferring to Nebraska. The 6-foot-7 wing shot 40 percent from 3-point range during his sophomore season and brings two more years of eligibility to the Cornhuskers.
Creighton guard Pop Isaacs transferred to Houston on April 9. Isaacs' junior season was cut short due to a hip injury, but he made a strong impression in his last game with Creighton, scoring 27 points in a win over Kansas.
On April 8, Arizona State center Jayden Quaintance transferred to Kentucky. A five-star recruit in the Class of 2024, Quaintance is viewed as a top prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft and is recovering from ACL surgery after being named first-team All-Defense as a freshman.
Meanwhile, on April 7, Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate also transferred to Kentucky. Dioubate was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2023 and adds depth to the Wildcats' roster.
North Carolina guard Ian Jackson entered the portal on the same day after being named ACC first-team All-Freshman in 2024-25. Jackson, a five-star prospect ranked as the eighth-best recruit in the Class of 2024 by 247 Sports, has three years of eligibility remaining.
Notre Dame forward Tae Davis transferred to Oklahoma on April 7, bringing his scoring prowess to the Sooners. Last season, Davis averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
UCLA guard Sebastian Mack also announced his transfer to Missouri on April 7. In his two seasons with the Bruins, Mack averaged 10.8 points and 1.1 steals per game, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honors last year.
On April 6, Arizona guard KJ Lewis transferred to Georgetown, and Miami (Fla.) guard Jalil Bethea transferred to Alabama. Bethea, ranked as the No. 7 recruit in the high school Class of 2024, has three years of eligibility left.
Davidson forward Reed Bailey transferred to Indiana on April 6 after being named first-team All-A-10. Illinois forward Tre White also transferred to Kansas, where he averaged over 10 points and 5 rebounds as a junior.
On April 5, Iowa forward Owen Freeman transferred to Creighton, and East Tennessee State guard Quimari Peterson transferred to Washington. Peterson led the Southern Conference in scoring and was named the 2024-25 Southern Conference Player of the Year.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar joined North Carolina on April 4, while Michigan State forward Xavier Booker transferred to UCLA. Purdue forward Camden Heide also transferred to Texas, adding shooting depth to the Longhorns.
Georgia Tech guard Naithan George transferred to Syracuse, and FDU guard Terrence Brown transferred to Utah, where he averaged 20.6 points per game last season.
As the transfer portal continues to evolve, players like Kansas City guard Jamar Brown, who transferred to UCLA, and Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who transferred to Tennessee, are also making headlines. The shifting dynamics in college basketball are creating a whirlwind of excitement and uncertainty as teams look to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season.
With the transfer portal closing on April 22, teams across the nation are working tirelessly to finalize their rosters, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in college basketball.
