These transfer portal stars clearly did their homework before making a decision on their next destination.
Fourteen days is an eternity in the transfer portal. On April 15, less than 200 players in the college basketball transfer portal had committed to new schools. Two weeks later, that number has grown to well over 600. That means there are new fits to decipher as players continue to seek the right opportunity and an aligned vision for their role on a new team.
The window to enter the transfer portal closes on Wednesday, May 1, which is less than 48 hours away(!), but commitments don’t stop then. More and more decisions are certainly on the way. Players will continue to make commitments deep into May (and maybe June) as many teams across college basketball still maneuver to load up in the arms race.
Even UConn, the two-time defending national champion, could have multiple spots to fill even after adding stud Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney on Monday (he’ll likely be in Part III of best transfer portal fits in a few weeks).
So let’s dive into Round II of our favorite transfer portal fits and why these free agents clearly did their homework before hopping on board at their new program.
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger hit the portal armed with plenty of ammunition (Sweet 16, Big 12 Tournament title) and plenty of available minutes to sell. Iowa State was looking at wholesale changes to its frontcourt picture. It needed just a bit of everything after Omaha Biliew hit the transfer portal and the trio of Tre King, Rob Jones and Hason Ward exhausted eligibility.
Otzelberger crushed it, just like one of his patented early-morning lifts.
Saint Mary’s transfer Joshua Jefferson is the jewel of Iowa State’s new-look frontcourt mix. Jefferson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, has all the tools to be a Day One starter for the loaded Cyclones in 2024-25.
Jefferson does just a bit of everything well. He’s a lunch pail guy who averaged 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 25 minutes per game last season under well-respected, Gaels coach Randy Bennett.
Jefferson’s best asset is his defense. Jefferson often earned the top frontcourt assignment for Saint Mary’s 15th-best defense. Even in a 78-71 loss to Utah, Jefferson shined with his blanketing coverage on Utes star Branden Carlson. The 7-foot-1, All-Pac-12 big man scored just seven points on 3-for-7 shooting. Jefferson was draped on him like white on rice.
Jefferson suffered a season-ending knee injury which forced him to miss the season’s final eight games. Saint Mary’s went 6-2 in his absence, but it felt the loss.
Saint Mary’s played roughly 400 possessions against top-100 teams with and without Jefferson.
The defensive splits are jarring.
Saint Mary’s owned an 85.3 adjusted defensive rating with Jefferson on the floor against top-100 squads. That defense rating was 20 points per 100 possessions worse without him, per hoop-explorer.
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