As the NCAA basketball transfer portal closed this week, several significant player movements have reshaped team rosters for the upcoming 202526 season.
St. Johns Bolsters Lineup with Dillon Mitchell
St. Johns secured a major addition by landing forward Dillon Mitchell from Cincinnati. Mitchell, a topfive recruit from the Class of 2022, averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds last season. Head coach Rick Pitino praised Mitchells work ethic, noting him as the fifth transfer to join the Red Storm this offseason, alongside Ian Jackson North Carolina, Bryce Hopkins Providence, Joson Sanon Arizona State, and Oziyah Sellers Stanford. With AllBig East forward Zuby Ejiofor returning, St. Johns is poised for a competitive season. citeturn0news12
Duke Maintains Roster Stability
In a departure from the norm, Duke managed to retain key players Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown, Darren Harris, and Patrick Ngongba. Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized the importance of continuity in todays transferheavy environment. While the Blue Devils may still seek additional talent, the core teams stability sets a strong foundation for the season ahead. citeturn0news13
Kentucky Eyes Replacements After Travis Perrys Departure
With freshman guard Travis Perry entering the transfer portal, Kentucky is exploring options to fill the vacancy. Potential candidates include Nick Dorn from Elon, known for his threepoint shooting, and Jaiden Glover, a freshman from St. Johns. Other prospects are Georgia Kimble from Eastern Kentucky and high school wing Braydon Hawthorne, noted for his impressive wingspan. Head coach Mark Pope aims to strategically enhance the Wildcats backcourt depth. citeturn0news14
Notable Player Movements Across Programs
Silas Demary Jr., Georgias secondleading scorer, transferred to UConn after averaging 13.5 points per game. citeturn0search25
Wesley Yates III returned to Washington after a season at USC, where he had notable performances, including a 21point game against Iowa. citeturn0search26
Tre Donaldson, who played a pivotal role in Michigans Big Ten tournament victory, transferred to Miami, bringing experience and leadership to the Hurricanes. citeturn0search27
Denzel Aberdeen moved from Florida to Kentucky, adding depth to the Wildcats roster after a season where he averaged 3.3 points per game. citeturn0search28
Aday Mara, a 73 center from UCLA, joined Michigan, enhancing the Wolverines frontcourt presence. citeturn0search29
Jordan Pope, after a season at Texas, is exploring new opportunities, having previously averaged 17.6 points per game at Oregon State. citeturn0search30
Gonzaga and Baylor Strengthen Rosters
Gonzaga added scoring prowess by acquiring Khalif Battle from Arkansas, who averaged 14.8 points and showcased highscoring games late in the season. Baylor bolstered its frontcourt with Norchad Omier, one of the top players in the portal. citeturn0search1
Wisconsin Faces Key Departures
Wisconsin experienced significant losses with Chucky Hepburn entering the transfer portal and AJ Storr committing to Kansas. These departures leave gaps in the Badgers lineup, prompting the need for strategic recruitment. citeturn0search2
As teams finalize their rosters, these movements highlight the dynamic nature of college basketball and set the stage for an exciting 202526 season.