In the name, image and likeness era, every player has a price tag and every program has a budget. Where “transfers-down” — drops from high- to mid- to low-major schools — were once reserved for the athletes who couldn’t cut it, they’re now a tool for players to chase starter’s minutes and an NIL payday.
In this year’s crop of transfers-down are NCAA Tournament heroes, conference players of the year and unicorns — together, one of the most diverse groups in basketball.
Hoops HQ has partnered with The Portal Report to rank them, and draw attention to the depth of mid-major talent as the 2026 offseason gets underway.
1. Brandin Cummings, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, Pitt to Memphis
One of four power conference transfers bound for Memphis, Cummings is meticulous. Before an ankle injury ended his season in January, the point guard looked poised for a breakout: His 34-point outing versus Hofstra in December were the most off the bench in Pitt history. Cummings is a twitchy, three-level scorer brimming with untapped potential. As the focal point of Memphis’ offense, he could blossom, a la former Tigers’ standout, PJ Haggerty.
2. Blake Harper, 6-foot-7 sophomore guard, Creighton to VCU
MEAC fans will remember Harper from a masterpiece freshman season with Howard. In a class which included Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, it was Harper who led freshmen in 30-point games and logged 27 consecutive double-digit outings. The MEAC Conference Player of the Year shot 40.4% from three and ranked third nationally in free throw attempts while draining 82.5% from the line. As a sophomore, Harper took on a supporting role with Creighton, and improved his shot and defense on reduced minutes. With power conference experience and plenty of room to develop, he’ll slot in nicely at VCU.
3. Jayden Reid, 5-foot-10 junior guard, Northwestern to Memphis
Reid is a high IQ player with a mid-major pedigree. As a junior with Northwestern, Reid led the Wildcats in assists and steals per game on a 2.71 assist-to-turnover ratio — among the highest in the Big Ten. The undersized point guard is prone to hot streaks, and dropped 20 points over Final Four-bound Illinois in one half in January. In his underclassman seasons, Reid was a USF standout — notably for his 47.5 three-point percentage in 2023-24. Reid is a classic floor general with tenacity, sharpshooting, great handles and unfortunate size. He’ll excel behind Cummings at Memphis.
4. Jizzle James, 6-foot-3 junior guard, Cincinnati to Charlotte
It’s fitting that Wes Miller’s first transfer signing at Charlotte was his last add at Cincinnati. Initially a paint-touch specialist reliant on his quickness, James diversified his game under Miller, adding a 44.3-percent three-point shot in his junior season. The Bearcat point remains reliable from midrange, and boasted one of the fastest first steps in the Big 12 last season. His defense and physicality will make him a nightmare matchup in the AAC.
5. Dylan Darling, 6-foot-1 junior guard, St. John’s to Grand Canyon
A former Rick Pitino pet project, “Big Bells” Darling opted for starter’s minutes — and an NIL payday — in his redshirt senior season. Now famous for a game-winning layup over Kansas in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Darling started his career with Washington State and broke out at Idaho State. As a junior with St. John’s, Darling was known for his “balls as big as church bells” per Pitino, a gall that allowed him to take over even games in which he played poorly. Darling adapted to Big East play as the season progressed. By February, he was a key perimeter threat for St. John’s and had boosted his three-point percentage to 39.4 despite a shaky start. The NABC Second-Team point will bring court vision, sharpshooting and cojones to a GCU team in need.
6. Rytis Petraitis, 6-foot-7 senior forward, Cal to New Mexico
An injury-ridden senior season made Petraitis the perfect mid-major pickup: defiant and badly undervalued. As a junior with Cal, Petraitis made 29 starts and specialized in ball-handling. Over ACC play, he led the Golden Bears in offensive rebounds (64), steals (26) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3). Fully healthy, Petraitis is easily a P5 starting-caliber player, and will be a frontcourt weapon for New Mexico.
7. Jordan Marsh, 5-foot-11 junior guard, USC to Temple
Marsh was a volume scorer off the bench for USC and a star for UNC Asheville. As a sophomore, the Big South Newcomer of the Year averaged 18.8 points, including a league-best 23.1 points in-conference play. He also led Asheville in assists (117) and steals (65). Marsh is a capable floor spacer, a strong distributor and a proven threat at the mid-major level. His team-high 39.3% from three at USC — while stockpiling rebounds and assists — affirmed his ability to perform against top competition. He’ll be expected to lead Temple’s backcourt next season.
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8. Donald Hand Jr., 6-foot-5 junior guard, Boston College to Loyola Chicago
Donald Hand Jr. can play the three, but prefers physical domination as an oversized wing. In a breakout sophomore season with Boston College, Hand averaged 15.7 points and 6.1 boards per game on his way to an ACC Most Improved Player award. Hand’s greatest strength is his court vision, which he combines with his frame and physicality to draw fouls and win defensive rebounds. The four-year Eagle took a step back in his junior season, but aced the eye test and should thrive as a first option at Loyola.
9. All Wright, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, Xavier to Loyola Marymount
The kid is All Wright. After an MVC Freshman of the Year season with Valparaiso, Wright played his role perfectly at Xavier. His 42.2-percent three-point shooting stretched the floor, and earned the Musketeers wins over West Virginia, Marquette and Cincinnati. Wright instantly becomes one of the best sharpshooters in the West Coast Conference. Despite improved efficiency last season, Marymount will give Wright an opportunity to return to the volume of his freshman year.
10. Elijah Strong, 6-foot-8 junior forward, South Carolina to Saint Louis
Josh Schertz called midrange shots an “inefficient way to play,” but couldn’t help but grab Strong from the transfer portal. As a junior with South Carolina, the power forward shot 57.7-percent at the rim and notched career-highs in double-figure games (17) and single-game points (30 at LSU). Strong is a true midrange threat with the ability to score anywhere inside the arc. He’s also quick, athletic and a passable defender. Paired with Saint Louis’ other big men, he’ll be tricky to answer in the A10.
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