Alabama Leads Arkansas and Tennessee for Transfer Portal Target PJ Haggerty

PJ Haggerty is one of the most sought-after names in the portal after averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for Memphis. He was the AAC Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. If he returns to college, Arkansas looks like a logical next step. However, his options still include heading to the NBA, returning to Memphis or transferring to one of several other top college basketball programs.

According to Field of 68, Haggerty is seeking at least $4 million and demanding to play at least 70% of his minutes at point guard next season. With NIL budgets dwindling this late in the process, the demand for significant cash and the fact that many teams have already secured their starting point guard for next season complicate Haggerty’s fit with some of the top programs in the country.

Below, we’ll uncover some of the top teams interested in signing Haggerty in the portal and determine which team is the best fit for his next team.

Alabama Making Late Push For Haggerty

Alabama has put together a strong transfer portal class but most of the incoming talent is coming in at the wing and forward spots. The Crimson Tide are losing five of their top six scorers from a season ago, leaving significant opportunity for a player of Haggerty’s caliber to step into a high-usage role right away.

Complicating the fit is the fact that Haggerty has expressed that he wants to play at least 70% of his minutes at point guard.

Labaron Philon has entered the NBA Draft and will likely be a lottery pick, leaving a potential opening at the point guard spot. However, Alabama already has Aden Holloway waiting in the wings, the former No. 4 point guard in the 2023 recruiting class. Holloway averaged just 1.4 assists per game off of the bench last season but could be a strong complementary piece in the backcourt alongside Haggerty, thanks to his ability to shoot from long distance.

Alabama is one of the few schools that can offer the type of money, minutes, and uptempo style that could help propel Haggerty up NBA Draft boards by the end of next season.

Arkansas Could Land Haggerty If He Relents On PG Duties

PJ Haggerty was a PROBLEM today in @Memphis_MBB‘s quarterfinal win over Wichita State 😳

42 PTS | 16-25 FG | 9 REB pic.twitter.com/OHOkAV0Op3

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 14, 2025

Arkansas has been linked to a number of the top names in the portal with John Calipari at the helm. Haggerty would be a major get for the Razorbacks. He’s a proven scorer—21.7 points per game, 36.4% from three—and Arkansas has holes in the backcourt. He’s probably the best player in the transfer portal, especially this late in the process, and he’d likely walk in as the top scoring option.

Boogie Fland has entered his name in the NBA Draft and the transfer portal, but incoming freshman Darius Acuff Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top point guard prospects in the 2025 class, so Haggerty would likely slide in at the shooting guard spot in Fayetteville.

Calipari’s track record with guard development is another plus. Arkansas also has the NIL backing to support Haggerty, whose current valuation is around $1.7 million. He might earn more staying in college than heading to the NBA.

Tennessee in the Hunt for Haggerty

Tennessee also makes sense as a potential landing spot for Haggerty, but only if he’s willing to relent on some of his demands. They’ve added Ja’Kobi Gillespie from Maryland and top recruit Nate Ament. Adding Haggerty to the backcourt would give the Volunteers one of the SEC’s most dynamic offensive teams.

Rick Barnes has a solid record developing perimeter talent and Haggerty would get consistent exposure in a top conference.

The only problem? Gillespie would likely be entrusted to handle point guard duties under Barnes, who values discipline and taking care of the basketball above some of Haggerty’s penchant for on-ball creation.

Other Programs To Watch

If it’s not Arkansas or Tennessee, or Alabama, there are other possibilities. A return to his home state (Texas) has obvious appeal, while UNC could use his scoring off the wing depending on other portal decisions. Memphis is still technically an option too, but if Haggerty wants a bigger stage, it makes sense to move on. Ole Miss is another team that could be a surprise destination for Haggerty, especially if the combination of money and PG duties are at the top of his priority list.

What’s Next for PJ Haggerty?

He’s currently testing the NBA Draft waters but entered the portal with a “do not contact” tag, which usually signals a pre-planned move. Unless he gets strong feedback from NBA teams, college may be the more lucrative route. And if that’s the case, Alabama leads a competitive group of suitors.