Men’s Basketball 2026 Transfer Portal Rankings: Measuring Each Team’s Improvement
As the NCAA men’s season continues into the offseason, the focus shifts to the transfer portal. Winners and losers of the transfer portal are defined by their player retention, addition of high-profile transfers, and overall improvement. While overall improvement can’t be fully measured until the start of the season, it can be partly measured by what weaknesses the team addresses through portal additions. The teams below are just a few that can be classified as winners of the portal for their fulfillment of player retention, the addition of high-profile transfers, and overall improvement through the addressing of past weaknesses.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are considered one of the top winners of the transfer portal due to their elite player retention. Their front five stayed intact with few losses. Notably, Thomas Haugh decided to skip the draft and return to Gainesville for his senior year, despite being projected as a possible first-round NBA pick. Florida also added point guard Boogie Fland, guard Urban Klavzar, brothers Isaiah Brown and A.J. Brown, and other key depth pieces. These moves give the Gators a strong position, including the potential for a top-ranked preseason ranking.
Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils, as consistent transfer portal winners, will see roster changes mainly due to the NBA Draft. Cameron Boozer, National Player of the Year, enters the draft, and Duke loses two players to the transfer portal: sophomore guard Darren Harris and freshman guard Nickolas Khamenia. Remaining players include guard Cayden Boozer, center Patrick Ngonba, forward Sebastian Wilkens, guard Caleb Foster, and guard Dame Sarr. Portal additions include Drew Scharnowski from Belmont and John Blackwell from Wisconsin. Blackwell is expected to strengthen the backcourt, while Scharnowski brings versatility. With the top recruiting class of 2026, Duke aims to continue its usual success.
Illinois Fighting Ilini
The Illinois Fighting Illini also qualify as winners of the transfer portal due to elite player retention. They brought back five of their top eight players. Stefan Vaaks, a six-foot-seven point guard from Providence, joins to fill the gap left by star freshman Keaton Wagler, who entered the NBA Draft. Returning players like David Mirkovic, brothers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonomir Ivisic, Jake Davis, and Andrej Stojakovic keep Illinois strong. Vaaks will be surrounded by talent that elevated Wagler last season. Given this retention and the successful additions to the portal, Illinois should remain competitive next season.
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals followed a different approach with only one returning player from last year’s NCAA Tournament rotation. Head coach Pat Kelsey needed to add high-profile players to make another run in the tournament. So far, portal additions have been impressive. Flory Bidunga, a Kansas big man and top center in the portal, is one addition. Oregon guard Jackson Shelstead, a sought-after point guard, also joined. Karter Knox from Arkansas and Alvaro Folguieras from Iowa round out the starting five. Along with lone returner Adrian Wooley, this starting five could fuel a deep tournament run if a few solid rotational pieces are added.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers adopted a strategy similar to Louisville by rebuilding through the portal. Most of their roster departed, but they targeted key additions. Aiden Sherell, a six-foot-11 player from Alabama, and Bryce Lindsay, a six-foot-three guard from Villanova, address Indiana’s size issue from last season. Markus Burton from Notre Dame brings the playmaking needed for a tournament run. Other important additions include center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU, Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, and Darren Harris from Duke. Together, these newcomers should boost head coach Darian DeVries’ squad and position Indiana as a strong contender for the 26-27 season.
