The Big East struggled as a whole last season, with just three of 11 teams making the NCAA Tournament. There were plenty of reasons for the underperformance, with one being the lack of impact transfers. However, a case can be made that most of the conference oversaw major roster upgrades this offseason, thanks in part to the transfer portal.
Here’s a look at the top-20 impact transfers for the Big East.
1. Tounde Yessoufou, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, St. John’s
2025-26 stats (Baylor): 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds
After leaving the NBA Draft process at the deadline, Yessoufou was one of the top available transfers late in May. He picked St. John’s, with perfect timing after the Red Storm had lost their other top transfer this offseason. The former five-star prospect was second in scoring at Baylor as a freshman, including a 37-point outing against BYU.
2. Kwame Evans Jr., 6-foot-9 senior forward, Villanova
2025-26 stats (Oregon): 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds
The former five-star prospect is coming off a breakout campaign, shooting 45 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range. Evans produced four double-doubles and had five games of at least 20 points, including 24 points and 8 rebounds against UCLA. Villanova looks to get similar production from Evans, its starting power forward and one of the top projected rebounders in the Big East.
3. Miles Byrd, 6-foot-7 senior guard, Providence
2025-26 stats (San Diego State): 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds
Byrd was a double-digit scorer the last two years as a starter for the Aztecs. He has the potential for big scoring outings, as evidenced by 23 points against UNLV in league play. Ultimately, Byrd’s bread and butter is defense, being a two-time All-Mountain West defender and earning Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. That’ll be huge for a Friars program that fielded one of the worst defenses in the country in 2025-26.
4. Donnie Freeman, 6-foot-9 junior forward, St. John’s
2025-26 stats (Syracuse): 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds
Freeman started 34 games in the last two years at Syracuse, leading the Orange in scoring last season. The former five-star prospect had four double-doubles, including 24 points and 10 rebounds on the road at NC State. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, he’s set to miss the upcoming 2026-27 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles during an offseason workout.
5. Sananda Fru, 6-foot-11 senior forward, Marquette
2025-26 stats (Louisville): 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds
In his lone year at Louisville, Fru started 29 games, shooting a whopping 75 percent from the field on five attempts a game. The international big man produced four double-doubles, including 19 points and 13 rebounds against Boston College. Fru looks to give Marquette a more physical inside presence and a capable scoring threat inside.
6. Jaland Lowe, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Georgetown
2025-26 stats (Kentucky): 8.0 points, 2.4 assists
Multiple shoulder injuries limited Lowe to just nine games last season and kept him from having a real impact at Kentucky. In the year prior at Pitt, the lefty playmaker led the team with 16.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. After losing both of its lead guards to the portal this offseason, Georgetown looks to Lowe to be an all-league candidate.
7. Devin Royal, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Villanova
2025-26 stats (Ohio State): 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds
Royal started 59 games in the last two years at Ohio State, shooting 50 percent from the field. The combo forward had four games with 20-plus points, including 25 against Wisconsin in Big Ten play. He appears to have an even bigger role at Villanova, giving them added size in the frontcourt thanks to his ability to play on the wings.
8. Mike Nwoko, 6-foot-10 senior center, Xavier
2025-26 stats (LSU): 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds
The big man has doubled his scoring production in each of the last two years, producing a career-high 61 percent from the field. Nwoko had five games of at least 20 points, including 29 points and 9 rebounds against Alcorn State. Xavier is set to bring back multiple frontcourt players from last season, but Nwoko gives them an even better inside scorer to work with.
9. Tru Washington, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Xavier
2025-26 stats (Miami): 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds
Washington started 19 games in his lone year with the Hurricanes, shooting a career high 44 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. The veteran combo guard had 10-plus points in 24 of 31 games, including 17 points against Louisville in the ACC Tournament. He’s a likely starter in Xavier’s backcourt and an upgrade in terms of efficiency on the perimeter.
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10. Chance Westry, 6-foot-6 senior guard, Xavier
2025-26 stats (UAB): 15.5 points, 5.5 assists
After playing just 14 games over the prior three years due to various injuries and health issues, Westry broke out in the American, leading the Blazers in scoring. The former top-50 prospect shot 49 percent from the field while also leading the conference in assists. The all-league performer had 10 games of at least 20 points, including a career-high 31 points against Cleveland State. Assuming he can stay on the floor, Westry will be a key perimeter piece for the Musketeers.
11. Wes Enis, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Creighton
2025-26 stats (South Florida): 16.4 points, 2.4 assists
Enis was the top-impact D-II transfer last season, leading the American champions, South Florida, in scoring. While he only shot 39 percent from the field, Enis did make 35 percent from three-point range on 9.5 attempts per game, along with a 36-point game against UAB in double-overtime. Creighton, which lost its key guards this offseason, will look to Enis to be its lead perimeter player for its bounce-back campaign.
12. Malik Mack, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Providence
2025-26 stats (Georgetown): 13.6 points, 4.1 assists
Mack started 66 games for the Hoyas in the last two years, shooting exactly 38 percent from the field both seasons. He still was seventh in the Big East in assists and had four games of at least 20 points, including 24 against Dayton in overtime. Providence gets a proven Big East starter for its rebuilt roster.
13. Devin Vanterpool, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Providence
2025-26 stats (Florida Atlantic): 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Vanterpool was a breakout star for the Owls in his second year, earning American Most Improved Player of the Year. He shot 35 percent from three-point range on 6.1 attempts and had eight games of at least 20 points, including 26 against South Florida. Vanterpool is another quality scoring option for the Friars, whether as a starter or sixth man.
14. Nolan Minessale, 6-foot-5 junior guard, Marquette
2025-26 stats (St. Thomas): 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists
The Wisconsin native started in both years at Marquette and ranked second in the Summit League in scoring. Minnessale shot 51 percent from the field and had back-to-back 30-plus point outings, including 32 against Weber State. Marquette brings back 6-foot sophomore guard and leading scorer Nigel James Jr. (16.4 points, 4.9 assists per game) and looks to Minnessale to be a nice complementary perimeter piece.
15. Nils Machowski, 6-foot-3 senior guard, UConn
2025-26 stats (Wofford): 17.2 points, 5.7 rebounds
After two years of limited production at UCF, Machowski broke out at Wofford, placing second on the team in scoring and earning All-SoCon honors. He shot 38 percent from three-point range on 7.4 attempts and had a trio of 30-plus point outings, including 37 on the road at The Citadel. UConn will benefit from his shooting ability.
16. Kahmare Holmes, 6-foot-3 junior guard, DePaul
2025-26 stats (Wofford): 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds
Holmes was a major breakout star for Wofford, leading the team in scoring and earning All-SoCon honors. He not only shot 35 percent from three-point range on five attempts per game, but he was also a capable defender, leading the SoCon with two steals per game. DePaul looks to him to be their “3 and D” starter on the wings next season.
17. Jake Fiegen, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Villanova
2025-26 stats (Cornell): 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds
The All-Ivy League guard was one of the more efficient players in the country, shooting 55 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. Fiegen had six games of at least 20 points, including 33 points and 6 rebounds against Dartmouth. Villanova ranked in the top 50 nationally in both attempts and makes from deep last season, making Fiegen a valued new addition on the perimeter.
18. Vyctorius Miller, 6-foot-5 junior guard, Georgetown
2025-26 stats (Oklahoma State): 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds
Miller started 26 games for the Cowboys last season, shooting 38 percent from three-point range. He had four games of at least 20 points, including 30 against Prairie View A&M. His production dipped in the second half of the season, but for a Georgetown roster with less perimeter depth, Miller has a chance to be a key contributor.
19. Ade Popoola, 6-foot-5 senior guard, DePaul
2025-26 stats (Tulsa): 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds
In his lone year at Tulsa, Popoola started all 38 games, shooting 41 percent from three-point range on 6.4 attempts. His production in the final 10 games spiked, including 26 points and 10 rebounds against Texas-San Antonio. Along with Holmes, Popoola is another big guard that can shoot the ball well, giving them even more perimeter depth.
20. Ryan Sabol, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Providence
2025-26 stats (Buffalo): 18.8 points, 3.3 assists
Sabol started 89 games in three years at Buffalo and is coming off an All-MAC campaign as the team’s leading scorer. He shot 40 percent from three-point range on 9.6 attempts, along with a season-high 32 points against Southern Miss in the season opener. Sabol’s shooting alone should warrant him a spot in the Friars’ rotation next season.
Meet your guide
