Through development and realized potential, these players are making major impacts and staring in year two at their transfer destination.
Travis Branham
When examining the impact of the transfer portal on college basketball rosters, it's easy to just look at those who will make an immediate effect in their first season at a new program and ignore longer-term transfer projects.
For many underclassmen transfers, it may take more than just one season to realize production and results. They need time to adjust and develop under a new system before they can start tapping into potential and breaking out in a second season with their new school.
To preface this article, we are mainly looking at players who have made big jumps in year No. 2 compared to year No. 1, so players like Wake Forest's Hunter Sallis, Florida's Walter Clayton, Iowa State's Keshon Gilbert, who had big seasons in their first transfer season at a new school, are not included.
Last season, nine second-year transfers were named to 2024 All-American Teams. That shows the impact of a second season at a transfer location and the importance of development and comfort in that additional year.
We are poised for a similar situation in 2024-2025.Several second-year transfers are already shining in year No. 2 after transferring following the 2023 season. Below are the standouts after the first five or six games of the college basketball season.
Syracuse's JJ Starling looking more like the player he was in high school
2023 TransferRanking: No. 5 Overall
JJ Starling entered his freshman year at Notre Dame as a Top 30 recruit in the country with the potential to be a one-and-done. His rookie season did not go according to plan. Some very noticeable changes to his jumper resulted in a very poor shooting season.
It had a clear impact on his confidence on the court in South Bend. Starling ended up hitting the portal at the end of the 202-23 season and made his way back to his home state of New York to play for Syracuse.
He had a better, yet streaky, season as a sophomore in the ACC in 2023-24 and averaged 13.3 points while shooting 32.4 percent from three. But now as a junior in 2024-25, Starling is finding himself in a big way under head coach Adrian Autry.
Against a weak early non-conference schedule, the 6-foot-4 combo guard is putting up some monster numbers for the Orange this season.
Through five games, Starling is tallying 21.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game. His jumper still isn't back to his same high school form --- Starling is shooting 31.0 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game.
Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard elevates his status among the best guards in the country
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 9 Overall
Ryan Nembhard had a strong first season under Mark Few at Gonzaga following his transfer from Creighton and is therefore is a little bit of an exception to the guidelines of this article.
At Creighton, Nemnhard became one of the best point guards in the Big East, but in year No. 2 at Gonzaga, he is playing like a potential First-Team All-American. He has led the Bulldogs to a 5-0 start with wins over San Diego State, Arizona State and Baylor.
Nembhard isn't the flashiest or most exciting player but he is the best pure floor general in the country. The 6-foot point guard is an elite decision-maker who makes the game easy on everyone on the court while still capitalizing on his own scoring opportunities.
Through five games, Nembhard is averaging 12.2 points and 9.4 assists (!) a game. He has already notched two double-doubles and has an absurd 7.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Gonzaga is the real deal and they have the point guard in Nembhard who could lead them to a Final Four.
RJ Luis becoming a star under Rick Pitino at St. John's
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 52 Overall
RJ Luis has had one of the coolest journeys in high-major basketball. Luis was lightly recruited as a high school senior, ultimately committing to UMass late in the spring. He transferred to St. John's after his freshman season in 2022-23 and is now among the best players in the Big East.
In his first season under head coach Rick Pitino, Luis showed some real promise like he did at UMass but his battles with injuries held him back.
Now, in year No. 2 at St. John's, Luis is looking like he will be one of the best players in the Big East this season.
The 6-foot-7 wing is an incredible athlete with explosiveness and tons of confidence on the court. He gets downhill, finishes with authority, throws down some highlight reel dunks, defends, rebounds, and is shooting the ball the best he ever has in his career.
After averaging 10.9 points and shooting 42.2 percent from the field last season, Luis is averaging 16.7 points per game so far in 2024-25 while hitting 48.3 percent of his shots.
Luis still has some decision-making woes to polish off but there's no denying the raw talent of the previously under-recruited high school senior.
Steven Ashworth poised for a big season at Creighton
2023Transfer Ranking:No. 42 Overall
When players transfer up a level from a mid-major to a high-major, there's often a learning curve. That was certainly the case for Creighton's Steven Ashworthlast season, who transferred in to fill in Nembhard's shoes in Omaha.
Ashworth is a skilled guard who can really make shots from three and after a bit of a rocky season, he is finding his groove in year No. 2 at Creighton.
In his first five games this season, Ashworth has tallied 11 points or more in every outing while dishing out 6.4 assists a game and shooting 40.5% from three. He is averaging 16.0 points per game.
Creighton's strength of schedule thus far has been weak. They lost to Nebraska, its lone power conference opponent so far, at home. But it's still obvious that Ashworth is poised for a big season under Greg McDermott.
Simas Lukosius has become the most efficient player in the country under Wes Miller
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 126 Overall
Wes Miller has turned the Cincinnati program around and has his best team yet, looking like a real threat in the Big 12 this season. The 2023 transfer addition of Simas Lukosius is a big reason for it.
Lukosius made his way to Cincinnati from Butler with a skilled and efficient game. He is playing the best basketball of his career through five games of his senior season.
At No. 126 overall in the transfer portal rankings, Lukosius was clearly one of the more underrated transfers in the 2023 cycle.
His size, feel for the game, and skill level are all translating at high levels. He is arguably the most efficient player in the country so far this season shooting 64.6% from the field, 64.3% from three while averaging 16.6 points, 3. rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
Could Brice Williams lead Nebraska back to the NCAA Tournament?
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 92 Overall
Nebraska hasn't made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances since the early 90s but Fred Hoiberg has a chance to do that this year. A big reason for the history they could make this season has been the outstanding play of Brice Williams.
Williams transferred to Nebraska from Charlotte and after a small dip in his production and efficiency in year No. 1 in Lincoln, he has taken his game to a new level as a fifth-year senior.
Williams is pouring in buckets in his first five games this season. He has Nebraska off to a 4-1 start and scored 16 points in a win overCreighton in their home building.
He's a savvy veteran who has displayed that experience with the way he uses his body to generate contact and draw fouls. His physical style of play has earned 8.4 free throw attempts per game so far this season.
Nebraska's one loss came in a three-point game toSaint Mary's.Williams scored 28 points in the defeat --- a game that shouldn't bruise Nebraska's tournament chances too much.
Darrion Williams stuffing the stat sheet for Texas Tech
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 87 Overall
Texas Tech has a team loaded with transfers and while JT Toppin is already better than advertised, Darrion Williams has become a serious weapon alongside him.
Williams transferred to Texas Tech after a freshman season atNevada after his freshman campaign and has become one of the more versatile players in the Big 12.
The 6-foot-6 forward is a strong and sturdy mismatch on the perimeter. He isn't the most athletic and can be unassuming but he can flat out play basketball.
Williams uses his strong frame very well and has the skill set to match. He can shield defenders off with his body to get to his spots, sees the floor, makes the right passes, and is very effective in scoring inside the three-point line while being a very good positional rebounder.
Through six games, Williams is averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Jaden Bradley at his best under Tommy Lloyd
2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 45 Overall
If you follow high school recruiting, you know the name Jaden Bradley well. He was one of the highest-ranked recruits in the 2022 recruiting class. Bradley played behind better talent in his first two seasons but has made a huge leap in his second season under Tommy Lloydat Arizona.
Bradley is playing the best basketball of his career and is leading the Wildcats in scoring through their first four games, more than five points better than Caleb Love.
Bradley isn't a pure point guard by any means but is more wired to score. His aggressiveness and toughness on both sides of the ball are making a big impact this season.
Arizona is off to a disappointing 2-2 start but Bradley has been a bright spot while Arizona fans anxiously await Love to get out of his funk.
Bradley is averaging 15.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.8 steals a game.
Auburn duo helping program to best start in history
Denver Jones- 2023 Transfer Ranking:No. 41 Overall
Chad Baker-Mazara- 2203 Transfer Ranking:Unranked
Bruce Pearl has rebuilt Auburn into one of the best programs and most entertaining teams in the country. His 2022 transfer pickup of Johni Broome has proven to be one of the most valuable additions out of the portal since its debut. In 2023 he added two guards that are now paying off massively.
Both Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones are shining for the Tigers in their second season with the program.
Jones made his way from Florida International and was ranked a top 50 transfer due to his knack for scoring and playmaking. In his second season at Auburn, Jones is averaging 11.2 points and 3.5 assists. He is a shotmaker who can alsomake plays for those around him,
Unrankedby all three national transfer ranking outlets (247Sports, ESPN and On3) out of San Diego State via Duquesne, Baker-Mazara has become a sneaky great addition for Auburn. Pearl and his staff deserve tons of credit for the evaluation and development of Baker-Mazara. It shows the value of finding gems in the portal, keeping them around for multiple seasons and developing them.
The 6-foot-7, long, and athletic lefty has been tremendous for Auburn this season.Baker-Mazara is averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three.
Both Jones and Baker-Mazara are a big reason No. 4 Auburn is off to its best start in program history.
The Tigers are now 6-0 with wins over two top-five opponents in Houston and Iowa Stateand a beatdown of No. 12-ranked North Carolina on Tuesday night in the Maui Invitational.
