Though there isn’t as much transfer portal news as there was at the end of last month, commitments and visits are being made daily as coaches continue to build their rosters.
Several waiver and eligibility issues are starting to sort themselves out, and plenty of prominent players remain available and in search of their next destination.
Here’s a review of the latest headlines surrounding the transfer portal, thanks to our partnership with The Portal Report.
Seton Hall Adds Depth with Former Rice Forward
Following a tough season for Seton Hall in which the Pirates finished last in the Big East, coach Shaheen Holloway has been active in the portal. The program picked up its seventh transfer commitment Saturday with 6-foot-7 junior wing Jacob Dar announcing he would become a Pirate.
Dar’s college career began at Division II Emory & Henry, where he averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks to earn Division I interest. He transferred to Rice, where he started 13 games, played in 30 and averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this past season. Dar, listed at just 170 pounds, shot 37.0 percent from three-point range.
San Francisco Standout Heading to Virginia for Final Season
Former San Francisco standout Malik Thomas, a 6-foot-5 guard, will use his final season of eligibility at Virginia. Saturday, it was reported that Thomas, a former national top-100 prospect from the Los Angeles area, had committed to join the Cavaliers after a first-team All-WCC season with the Dons.
Following two seasons at USC without much success, Thomas transferred to San Francisco in 2023 and started 21 games in 2023-24, averaging 12.4 points and shooting 40.0 percent from beyond the arc. This past season, he averaged 19.9 points and 3.9 rebounds and shot 39.4 percent from three-point range. In his final appearance with the Dons, he scored 36 points – including a 17-of-17 performance at the foul line – in a 77-76 loss to Loyola Chicago in the second round of the NIT. In his two seasons at USF, he shot 85.4 percent from the line (276-of-323).
Miami Transfer Takes Official Visit to Michigan State
Following a solid true freshman season at Miami (5.3 points and 2.3 assists per game, with 16 starts), 6-foot-3 guard Divine Ugochukwu hit the portal and has received a host of high-major interest.
Kentucky, Baylor, Texas, Iowa and Pitt were among the first to reach out, with later reports suggesting Michigan State, Texas Tech and USC were recruiting him the hardest. Saturday, it was announced that the Houston-area native would take his first official visit, to Michigan State, this week.
Big South Rookie of the Year Moves to Charleston
Last Thursday, it was reported that 6-foot-6 freshman guard Mister Dean – the Big South’s Rookie of the Year at USC-Upstate – had decided to move across the state and attend Charleston. In his one season with the Spartans, Dean averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 57.2 percent from the floor. Dean attempted 341 shots, with just 45 from beyond the arc.
Dean reportedly received high-major interest from programs like Virginia Tech and hometown Miami before choosing coach Chris Mack and the Cougars.
Texas Tech Transfer Receives Waiver, Reports High-Major Interest
Late last week, it was reported that 6-foot-6 graduate senior forward Devan Cambridge had been granted a medical hardship waiver by the NCAA for a seventh season of eligibility. The former Auburn and Arizona State starter spent the past two seasons at Texas Tech, but made just 14 appearances for the Red Raiders during that span as he battled injuries.
Cambridge is receiving high-major interest from programs like North Carolina, Ohio State, Arizona and Arizona State, where he spent the 2022-23 season. As of last week, reports indicated that his first official visit would be to Pitt, with Cambridge scheduled to meet coach Jeff Capel and his staff Wednesday.
Idaho State Standout Commits to Arizona State, Needs Waiver
Former Idaho State standout Jake O’Neil, a 6-foot-4 graduate senior guard, has committed to Arizona State. O’Neil was an All-Big Sky Defensive Team selection this past season; he averaged 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals as a starter for the Bengals.
But O’Neil’s status remains uncertain as he awaits the NCAA’s decision on his request for an additional season of eligibility. The reports on his commitment said O’Neil’s representatives remain hopeful about the waiver process.
O’Neil began his career at Boise State in 2019-20 – on a golf scholarship; he won the Idaho state golf title as a high school senior and also guided his school to the state basketball title. O’Neil transferred to the College of Idaho – an NAIA program in Caldwell – in 2020-21 as a golfer, played in five tournaments, then turned to basketball. He spent four seasons there and was a three-year starter for the Coyotes, helping them win the 2022-23 national title; he transferred to Idaho State last offseason.
Summit League Rookie of the Year Heading to ACC
True freshman guard Sebastian Akins was a bright spot in a rough campaign that saw Denver finish 11-21. Akins, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder, averaged 12.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.2 rebounds on his way to the 2024-25 Summit League Rookie of the Year award.
Following official visits to Saint Joseph’s and Vanderbilt, reports came out Wednesday indicating that Akins had committed to Wake Forest; Akins is from Charlotte, which is about 90 miles from Wake’s campus in Winston-Salem. Akins’ addition is the Demon Deacons’ fifth, and The Portal Report has Wake with the No. 2 portal class in the ACC.
Rutgers Transfer Headed to Georgetown
Friday, reports suggested 6-foot-4 redshirt senior guard Jeremiah Williams would take three official visits in the coming weeks before ultimately deciding on his destination. He visited Georgetown on Monday and evidently that was enough, as he committed to the Hoyas. He also had been considering Seton Hall and USC.
Williams just finished his fifth collegiate season. He was a starter in each of his first two seasons at Temple, then transferred to Iowa State for the 2022-23 season. But he had an Achilles injury and missed the season. He transferred again after that season, to Rutgers, where he spent the past two seasons. He averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a starter this past season.
Former Sooners Guard Makes Third Commitment of Offseason
It’s been a hectic offseason to close what’s been a hectic career for 6-foot-2 redshirt senior guard Duke Miles. He began his career at Troy, where he played three seasons. He then moved on to High Point for the 2023-24 season, and he averaged 17.5 points per game. That production earned him high-major interest in the portal last offseason, and Miles transferred to Oklahoma, where he started alongside freshman star Jeremiah Fears.
He entered the portal again after the Sooners’ season ended in the NCAA Tournament – and then things got interesting. First, Miles committed to join new coach Ryan Odom at Virginia; he quickly changed his mind. Next, he committed to join new coach Bucky McMillan at Texas A&M. But he once again changed his mind and ended up back in the portal. Now, Miles says he will spend his final season at Vanderbilt playing for Commodores second-year coach Mark Byington.
