Shifting Attention to College Basketball
As the focus transitions to the upcoming football season, many offseason changes in college basketball may easily be overlooked. The transfer windows have closed, and teams have finalized their rosters for the challenging summer ahead. According to ESPN, the top incoming transfer classes for the 2025-26 season have been released.
Varied Motivations for Transfers
Each program featured in ESPN’s rankings utilized the transfer portal for distinct reasons. Whether in a rebuilding phase or looking to strengthen their roster, teams were evaluated not by the quantity of incoming players but on the specific needs and fit within their roster.
Top Rankings Established
Using this evaluation criteria, ESPN has ranked the premier transfer portal classes of the offseason. The competition for the top two spots was particularly tight. Review the comprehensive list below:
St. John’s Leads the Way
Rick Pitino’s Red Storm has topped ESPN’s list, having secured seven players, all of whom averaged at least 9.9 points per game last season. With this roster, St. John’s aims to reassert its dominance in the Big East during the 2025-26 season. Bryce Hopkins, an All-Big East power forward, heads this class despite having missed time due to injury. Joson Sanon and Ian Jackson were well-regarded recruits coming out of high school.
Michigan and Kentucky Enhance Their Lineups
Michigan made a significant impact by signing Yaxel Lendeborg, the top overall talent from the transfer portal rankings. Lendeborg is projected to be a transformative player. Jayden Quaintance could play a pivotal role for Kentucky, although he may miss the start of the regular season due to a previous injury. Players like Denzel Aberdeen and Mouhamed Dioubate are also expected to thrive as experienced upperclassmen.
Washington’s Restructuring Efforts
After a challenging season, Washington’s first-year head coach, Danny Sprinkle, revamped his roster, bringing in outstanding talents from the transfer portal. Several proven scorers have joined, setting the stage for Washington to potentially make a notable impact in the Big Ten next season.
Significant Moves by Oklahoma and Iowa
This offseason saw Oklahoma secure three top-50 recruits, alongside established players, as coach Porter Moser prepares for a critical season. Meanwhile, Iowa’s recruitment saw multiple players from former coach Ben McCollum’s tenure at Drake join the team as they look to overturn last season’s performances.
