The College Basketball Transfer Portal Window Closes Today

College basketball transfer portal madness is almost over… kind of, sort of, in a way.

The transfer portal window opened on March 13. Since then there have been 1,724 entrants, according to Travis Branham. So far four Kentucky Wildcats have chosen to take their talents to another college basketball program. Sahvir Wheeler is going to Washington and CJ Fredrick will play for Cincinnati, while Lance Ware and Daimion Collins are still looking for new homes.

There were some internet rumors that two more could join that fold, Chris Livingston and Oscar Tshiebwe. KSR’s Jack Pilgrim shared that buzz surrounding a potential portal move for Livingston has died down and it’s unlikely to happen. He’ll either return to Kentucky or go to the NBA Draft, the most likely option.

Scuttlebutt surrounding a move for Oscar Tshiebwe feels more fear-based. There’s some anxiety around the BBN without a firm decision one way or the other from Tshiebwe. Early in the offseason his camp was listening to potential NIL opportunities elsewhere, but there’s an understanding he’d make more at Kentucky than anywhere else.

There are exceptions to transfer portal window rules. Today is the last day for a player to enter the portal and retain eligibility for next season unless you are a college graduate. Oscar Tshiebwe could plausibly get negative feedback from the NBA, decide to return to college and enter into the transfer portal at a later date. It’s an option, albeit one we are not fretting about at KSR headquarters.

There are still big names entering the transfer portal on the final day of the season. Andrew Slater reports Kansas’ Ernest Udeh is looking for a new college basketball home. Last year the 6-foot-11 former McDonald’s All-American shot 75.6% from the field.

Kentucky is currently hosting a transfer portal talent, Keshad Johnson. The power forward and defensive specialist scored 14 points for San Diego State in the National Championship Game. KSR’s Brandon Ramsey went into the KSR Film Room to break down how Johnson’s defensive versatility could benefit the Wildcats next season.

The transfer portal window will be taking very few new entries starting tomorrow, but recruiting players on the move will continue over the coming weeks.