To this point in the offseason at HoopsHQ, we’ve discussed the numerous players who have entered the transfer portal. But there were some mid-major standouts who elected to stay at their respective schools for the 2025-26 season.
Here’s a look at the top 10 mid-major players (which means we’re excluding anyone outside the Power Five conferences) returning for next season.
Note: Class designation is for next season.
1. Robbie Avila, 6-foot-10 senior forward, Saint Louis
2024-25 season stats: 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists per game
Avila is one of the country’s most skilled all-around offensive players. Avila can facilitate and space the floor, and is a consistent scoring option, going for 20-plus points on 11 occasions this past season. He will have a different supporting cast around him, but look for Avila to be a contender for Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors.
2. Magoon Gwath, 7-foot junior center, San Diego State
2024-25 season stats: 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks per game
Gwath actually did enter the portal at one point and was linked to Kentucky. But his decision to return to the Aztecs makes them the favorites in the Mountain West next season. He earned MWC Defensive Player of the Year honors this past season and showed some scoring potential, putting up 14-plus points seven times. Look for Gwath to have a breakout campaign on that end of the court.
3. Rafael Castro, 6-foot-10 senior center, George Washington
2024-25 season stats: 14.o points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game
Castro was one of the biggest impact transfers a year ago, going from limited minutes at Providence to an All-Atlantic 10 big man for GW. He shot 66.0 percent from the field and earned league all-defense honors. With Castro and several other rotational players returning, next season has the chance to be the best campaign for GW in years.
4. Amarri Monroe, 6-foot-7 senior forward, Quinnipiac
2024-25 season stats: 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals per game
Monroe entered the portal at one point this offseason, but decided to stay with the Bobcats. Monroe was the MAAC Player of the Year and produced 15 double-doubles, including 24 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Sacred Heart. Monroe’s return makes the Bobcats clear favorites in the league next season, and the program appears primed to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
5. Chase Walker, 6-foot-9 junior forward, Illinois State
2024-25 season stats: 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds per game
He was a breakout star for the Redbirds, earning the Most Improved Player award in the Missouri Valley Conference. Walker, a 275-pounder, shot 58.0 percent from the field and had 11 games of at least 20 points, including a career-high 31 against Illinois-Chicago. With Walker and 5-foot-11 guard Johnny Kinziger (14.6 points per game) returning, Illinois State will be the MVC favorites next season.
6. Rowan Brumbaugh, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Tulane
2024-25 season stats: 15.5 points, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals per game
Brumbaugh, a former top-100 prospect out of high school, led the Green Wave in scoring and assists this past season. He had nine games with at least 20 points, including a 22-point effort against Memphis in the AAC Tournament. He will be a preseason contender for conference player of the year next season, and is one of multiple returning starters for the Green Wave.
7. Tyler Tejada, 6-foot-8 junior wing, Towson
2024-25 season stats: 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds per game
Similar to Monroe in the MAAC, Tejada was a mid-major conference player of the year who didn’t move on. Tejada won Coastal Athletic Association MVP honors after he led Towson in scoring; he had 20-plus points in nine games, including 30 points in a loss at Robert Morris. Tejada is one of multiple returning rotation pieces for Towson, which is looking to get to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991.
8. Dominique Daniels Jr., 5-foot-10 senior guard, Cal Baptist
2024-25 season stats: 19.6 points, 3.1 assists per game
Statistically speaking, Daniels is the top-returning individual scorer from the mid-major ranks. The multitime All-WAC guard isn’t the most efficient scorer (37.3 percent from the field and just 25.8 percent from three-point range), but he still put up gaudy numbers, including 36 points in a win over Utah Tech. He did shoot 36.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2023-24.
9. Austin Benigni, 5-foot-11 senior guard, Navy
2024-25 season stats: 18.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game
He produced career-high numbers across the board this past season at Navy, scoring 20-plus points on 15 occasions and shooting 86.3 percent from the line. Benigni scored 72 points in three games in the Patriot League Tournament, nearly leading the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991. With Benigni returning, the Midshipmen have a solid shot at a postseason bid.
10. TJ Hurley, 6-foot-5 senior guard, Vermont
2024-25 season stats: 15.8 points, 2.4 rebounds per game
Hurley doubled his scoring average from 2023-24, and he scored at least 20 points in 11 games. Yes, even with Hurley returning, Vermont lost a ton of production. But with America East rival Bryant having lost its coaching staff and entire roster, look for the Hurley-led Catamounts to get back into the driver’s seat in the conference.
