Isaac McKneely Transfer Portal Destinations: Tennessee joins list with UNC, WVU, Kentucky, and Louisville

Virginia guard Isaac McKneely has officially entered the transfer portal after a strong sophomore season where he averaged 14.4 points per game and shot 42.1% from three. With multiple high-major programs in need of backcourt help, McKneely’s floor-spacing skillset makes him one of the most sought-after guards available. Below are the current odds on where McKneely could end up next.

Isaac McKneely Next Team Odds

Find out which teams have the best chance to land McKneely in the transfer portal ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season.

*Odds are for entertainment purposes only

Is McKneely UNC’s No. 1 Transfer Target?

North Carolina is currently the betting favorite to land Isaac McKneely. With freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau entering the portal and RJ Davis exhausting eligibility, the Heels are desperate for experienced guards.

McKneely’s elite shooting gives Hubert Davis a natural fit alongside any ball-dominant playmaker. UNC has already made contact and is expected to push hard for a commitment soon. He would walk into a major role right away.

Will McKneely Head Back to His Home State?

West Virginia is the second-favorite, with their odds set at +300. McKneely is a native of Poca, West Virginia, and the Mountaineers are hoping that proximity and a potential starring role will be enough to sway him.

WVU has a new staff and a revamped NIL approach, which could make them competitive in this recruitment. But they’re still behind UNC in momentum and visibility.

Tennessee Positions Itself In The Hunt

Tennessee has joined the fray after hosting McKneely for an official visit.

The Volunteers will be trying to fill some big shoes in their backcourt ahead of next season. All three of their double-digit scorers are guards departing the program following their senior seasons.

Tennessee is also still in the running for five-star guard Nate Ament, which could influence McKneely’s decision if he’s looking to maximize his usage rate as a senior.

Could Kentucky Lure McKneely to Lexington?

Kentucky is lurking. With multiple early draft entries and portal exits, Mark Pope is rebuilding once again. The Wildcats have a history of flipping high-profile transfers late in the process, especially those with proven Power 6 production.

At +450, Kentucky offers the prestige and exposure McKneely might be looking for if the goal is an NBA jump in 2026. But it’s unclear how strong their interest is compared to UNC or WVU.

Is Louisville a Legitimate Sleeper?

Louisville checks a lot of boxes: major conference, opportunity for big minutes, and the need for reliable perimeter shooting. They’re priced at +500, which reflects more of a hopeful fit than confirmed mutual interest.

If the Cardinals are serious, McKneely would likely be their top backcourt priority.

Other Teams in the Hunt

St. John’s, Marquette, Texas: These programs have been loosely linked. St. John’s needs shooting badly. Marquette loses a lot of production. Texas is starting over under new leadership. All are long shots but could move up if McKneely’s recruitment drags out.

Commentary

“McKneely’s game fits where college basketball is heading—spacing, quick release, and off-ball movement,” said Nick Raffoul, Head of News at SportsCasting. “He’s going to get attention from every high-major program that needs shooting. But UNC makes a ton of sense. The need is there, and so is the system.”