The 2025 college basketball transfer portal’s been buzzing since the NBA Draft deadline passed. Top players have made their moves, and some surprises have left programs scrambling.
RJ Luis Jr. and Jamir Watkins, the portal’s biggest names, chose to stick with the draft process. That decision leaves just a handful of highly-ranked players for colleges to chase.
Programs are now hustling to secure the last bits of talent. The whole landscape feels a bit shaken up, honestly.
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Top Players Opt to Stay in NBA Draft
The transfer portal’s running thin on impact playmakers after the NBA Draft deadline. RJ Luis Jr. and Jamir Watkins, the top two left, both decided they’re all-in on the draft.
Now, only one player from the portal’s top 100 remains, and five from the top 250. Luis and Watkins were the last uncommitted guys in the top 10, ranked No. 4 and No. 7.
Their draft commitment has left some wing-hungry programs empty-handed. It’s a tough break for teams that had them at the top of their wish lists.
Impact on College Programs
Programs that spent weeks talking with Luis and Watkins now have to pivot fast. With those doors closed, the chase for the remaining talent just got a lot more intense.
Recent Commitments and Transfers
This past week brought a rush of decisions as four top-150 transfers picked new homes. PJ Haggerty, Darrion Williams, Rakease Passmore, and Tyon Grant-Foster all made moves.
Haggerty, once the top transfer left, seemed headed to NC State with new coach Will Wade. But the Wolfpack landed Williams from Texas Tech instead, so Haggerty committed to Kansas State on Monday.
Key Transfers and Their New Homes
- PJ Haggerty – Committed to Kansas State
- Darrion Williams – Transferred to NC State from Texas Tech
- Rakease Passmore – New commitment
- Tyon Grant-Foster – New commitment
Spotlight on Rising Talent
The top of the transfer portal gets the headlines, but there’s a lot happening with younger players, too. Last weekend, the Nike EYBL hit Kansas City, and rising stars from the 2027 and 2028 classes got to show what they’ve got.
Several players stood out, giving everyone a peek at the next wave of college basketball talent. The event definitely had some scouts buzzing.
Notable Performances at Nike EYBL
Ahmad Hudson, the No. 1 tight end in the 2027 class, really had himself a weekend. Hudson and a few other rising juniors made plenty of noise, grabbing the attention of coaches and scouts.
It’s exciting to see this much young talent ready to shake up the scene in a couple of years. The future looks anything but boring.
Future Prospects and Scouting Insights
The 247Sports staff spent a lot of time evaluating players from the 2027 and 2028 classes in Kansas City. Their notes are gold for programs planning ahead.
Key prospects like Tyran Stokes, Jason Crowe, and Jordan Smith got highlighted for their strong showings. Each brings something different to the table.
Scouting Reports
- Tyran Stokes – Versatile and athletic, he can do a bit of everything
- Jason Crowe – A point guard with sharp court vision and a knack for making plays
- Jordan Smith – Forward with a real defensive edge—coaches love that
Conclusion
The 2025 college basketball transfer portal looks a lot different after NBA Draft choices from top names like RJ Luis Jr. and Jamir Watkins. Teams are scrambling to adapt, and the scramble for the best remaining talent is getting wild.
At the same time, new faces are popping up from high school circuits like the Nike EYBL. Honestly, it feels like the future of college basketball is in good hands, even if we don’t quite know what comes next.
Want more details or the latest updates on player moves and scouting? Check out the full article on 247Sports.
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