5 D2 stars in the Transfer Portal poised to make the jump to D1

The college basketball transfer portal can be a tricky landscape to navigate. In 2024, over 2,000 players entered the D-I Transfer Portal. However, not all prospects are created equal. While many players are bouncing up, down, and around the D-I level, there are a growing number of players who are excelling at the D-II level, playing some really impressive basketball.

College Basketball Transfer Portal

This year, the Transfer Portal opens for all D-I men’s college basketball players on March 24. With conference tournaments wrapping up last weekend, D-II players have already begun entering the portal. As of March 11, the D-II Transfer Portal already boasts over 400, and that number continues to grow daily.

With the D-II National Tournament kicking off this weekend, more players are expected to explore new opportunities. While there are certainly more than these five players, here are five standout D-II players who are poised to make the jump to D-I during this portal season.

SG Donovan Brown, Florida Tech

Height/Weight: 6-2/180
Status: Junior
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
Previous School: Waubonsee CC 

2024-25 Stats: 20.7 points. 4.3 rebounds. 3.5 assists. 44.8% FG. 36.3% 3P

Highlight Clips

Donovan Brown is wired to score with a crafty way of finding different ways to put the ball in the bucket. Brown played five games against D1 opponents this season and averaged 21.8 points. He scored in double figures 16 times this season.

SF Ja’Queze Kirby, Augusta

Height/Weight: 6-6/175
Status: Grad Transfer
Hometown: Hazelhurst, Georgia
Previous School: Murray State

2023-24 Stats: 14.0 points. 7.2 rebounds. 2.1 assists. 1.4 steals. 41.7% FG. 33.3% 3P.

Highlight Clips

Ja’Queze Kirby sat out the 2024-25 season. He is a twitchy athlete with great length and instincts which leads to an intriguing defensive upside. He is a career 39.8 percent shooter from three on 3.8 attempts per game. Kirby has scored 1,089 career points in his three seasons at Augusta.

F Mikhail Pocknett, King

Height/Weight: 6-6/210
Status: Sophomore
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Previous School: NA

2024-25 Stats: 22.2 points. 9.3 rebounds. 2.9 assists, 1.8 steals. 52.2% FG.

Highlight Clips

Mikhail Pocknett is a strong and versatile forward with great length. He is very quick off the bounce and in tight spaces. Pocknett averaged 9.3 free throw attempts per game this season and has scored 1,209 points in his two seasons at King. Earned 1st-Team All-League honors in the Conference Carolinas this season.

PF Josiah Shackelford, Georgia Southwestern

Height/Weight: 6-9/225
Status: Junior
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Previous School: Florida Gulf Coast

2024-25 Stats: 17.0 points. 7.3 rebounds. 1.8 assists. 1.3 blocks. 64.8% FG.

Highlight Clips

Josiah Shackelford is a strong and imposing force on the block. He has touch, with solid hands, and finishes through contact. Shackelford had multiple 30-point games this season and finished with seven double-doubles. Shackelford earned 3rd-team All-League in the Peach Belt this season.

F Kendall Taylor, Wingate

Height/Weight: 6-5/205
Status: Grad Transfer
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Previous School: Danville Area CC

2024-25 Stats: 24.4 points. 8.1 rebounds. 4.6 assists. 1.6 steals. 53.5% FG. 37.1% 3P

Highlight Clips

Kendall Taylor is a skilled tweener-type wing/forward. He knocked down 37 percent from three but did a lot of damage in the middle game. After leading the league in scoring, he earned 1st-team All-League honors in the SAC this season. He has scored 1,008 total points in his two seasons at Wingate.