The NCAA transfer portal deadline has come and gone, and with it, several college basketball teams have made moves that could impact their upcoming season. Among the winners are the Kansas Jayhawks, who picked up a high-scoring guard from Arizona, while the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Vanderbilt Commodores have struggled to keep players on their rosters.
Perhaps the biggest winner in the transfer portal is Kansas, who added 6’3″ guard Remy Martin from Arizona State. Martin was one of the best scorers in the Pac-12 last season, averaging 19.1 points per game and earning first-team All-Conference honors. He also brings experience as a three-year starter and a track record of success in the NCAA Tournament, having led the Sun Devils to the First Four in 2019.
With Martin joining a roster that already includes returning starters Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack, the Jayhawks are primed to make a run at the Big 12 title and beyond. The addition of Martin also gives them a potential go-to scorer down the stretch of close games, which could be crucial in the NCAA Tournament.
On the other hand, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt have both struggled to hold onto key players this offseason. The Red Raiders lost leading scorer Mac McClung to the NBA Draft and have seen several other players transfer out, including sophomore guard Micah Peavy and junior forward Khavon Moore. While Texas Tech does have some talented returners, such as guard Terrence Shannon Jr. and forward Marcus Santos-Silva, they may have to rely heavily on newcomers to fill the void left by their departures.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has had a tumultuous offseason, with several players leaving the program for various reasons. This includes star guard Scotty Pippen Jr., who opted to enter the NBA Draft before ultimately returning to school. However, the Commodores have still lost several players to the transfer portal, including guards Isaac McBride and D.J. Harvey, and forward Clevon Brown. With such a high rate of turnover, it remains to be seen how Vanderbilt will fare this season under second-year head coach Jerry Stackhouse.
Overall, the transfer portal has once again shaken up the college basketball landscape, with some teams emerging as clear winners and others facing new challenges. With the season still several months away, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. But one thing is certain: the transfer portal will continue to be a major factor in shaping the college basketball landscape for years to come.
