The 2026 college basketball transfer portal is open, and the top players are on the move. Here’s the latest on where the top transfers in the nation may end up.
The national championship confetti has barely settled, and college basketball is already moving at full speed into its next phase.
The transfer portal officially opened on Tuesday, but the groundwork was laid well before that. Coaches and agents were working the phones throughout the Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, and hundreds of players had already signaled their intentions before the portal went live. The 2026 offseason figures to be one of the most active in the portal era.
With Michigan’s championship run as a reminder of what smart roster construction can accomplish, programs across the country are now racing to find their next key pieces. Here is a look at the top players available and where things stand.
The Top Names to Know
Flory Bidunga | Kansas | Uncommitted
Bidunga is the most coveted player on the portal. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year declared for the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal, keeping all options open.
He was one of the best rebounders, shot-blockers, and paint scorers in the country this season and will draw serious interest from elite programs if he opts to return to college.
John Blackwell | Wisconsin | Uncommitted
Blackwell is the best available guard in the portal. Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer averaged 19.1 points per game while shooting 38.1 percent from three-point range.
He is also exploring the NBA draft process, but if he returns to college, he will be one of the most sought-after guards on the market.
Dedan Thomas Jr. | LSU | Uncommitted
Before a season-ending foot injury in February, Thomas was one of the country’s elite floor generals. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists per game against just 1.6 turnovers.
He has one year of eligibility remaining and will generate significant interest once programs confirm his health status.
Juke Harris | Wake Forest | Uncommitted
Harris ranked 13th nationally in scoring this season and was named the ACC’s Most Improved Player. The 6-foot-7 forward posted career highs across the board.
He has also declared for the NBA Draft, so his decision will be one to monitor closely over the coming weeks.
Stefan Vaaks | Providence | Uncommitted
The 6-foot-7 freshman was one of the portal’s most pleasant surprises. Vaaks averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists per game for the Friars and lit up the Big East tournament with 28 points and eight three-pointers against Butler, followed by 23 points and five more against St. John’s.
Aiden Sherrell | Alabama | Uncommitted
Sherrell was a key piece of the Alabama frontcourt, averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in just under 24 minutes.
He is only a sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, making him one of the most attractive big men in the portal.
Isaiah Johnson | Colorado | Uncommitted
Johnson was one of the most efficient freshmen in the country. He averaged 16.9 points on 48.6/37.8/82.1 shooting splits and scored at all three levels with ease.
Programs in need of a reliable offensive option will be lining up for his commitment.
Already Decided
Not every top player is still weighing options. Tyler Lundblade, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year from Belmont, wasted little time. The sharpshooter, who connected on 3.4 three-pointers per game at a 43.9 percent clip, committed to Tennessee on April 2. It is a notable stylistic shift for Rick Barnes’s program, which has historically relied less on three-point shooting, but Lundblade’s efficiency made him impossible to pass up.
What to Watch
Several other notable names are still sorting through their options. Markus Burton of Notre Dame is dealing with a left ankle injury and could have two years of eligibility remaining with a medical hardship waiver. Jackson Shelstad of Oregon, another injury-limited guard, is in a similar situation. Both are worth monitoring as their health timelines become clearer.
The portal window is just getting started. Expect the commitment board to fill up quickly as programs look to capitalize on open roster spots and NIL budgets before the next cycle heats up.
