As Selection Sunday draws near, programs and fans alike are waiting in anticipation to see their team in the tournament bracket. While some others are already planning for life after the big dance. It’s not just about the games anymore — college basketball is changing and the transfer portal is a key part of the narrative. Now, with the new power of the portal, athletes are seizing control of their futures — and, this year, there are several eye-popping options. As college basketball gears up for March Madness, the noise might be coming from the outside, where the transfer portal is making it harder than even teams could have imagined.

While everyone is watching the road to March Madness, a whole different kind of excitement is happening by way of players deciding they want to get in the transfer portal.

Who are the top names that entered the portal?

For a player like Treysen Eaglestaff, this is not only a new opportunity to move on but also to find a different environment fitting for what he’s looking. In what’s been nothing short of an incredible season, the 6’6 guard has been making waves as he is currently averaging 18.9 points per game. Highlighting a season full of scoring ruts and exponentially incredible games against Alabama, where Eaglestaff went on a clinic, scoring 40 points in the game, and then the 51 against South Dakota State. Offensively, Eaglestaff has shown how explosive he could be which has made him one of the top players to hit the transfer portal, and no doubt he’ll receive lots of interest among the programs.

Eaglestaff is not alone though. Many athletes are looking to rise, too. 6’8 Jamichael Stillwell, a forward from Milwaukee, has averaged 13.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. His rebounding edge has made him one of the most sought-after forwards in the portal. So has freshman Jadis Jones, a guard from Lindenwood, who has averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. For Jones, the portal could be an opportunity to gain playing time or play for a program that fits him well.

The transfer portal isn’t only for acquiring scoring stars, but also stout defenders and well-rounded players. Just look at Chase Forte. The Summit League Defensive Player of the Year has been a defensive nightmare and can provide any team with an immediate defensive presence. He also added 17.9 points per game to his resume to complete the double threat. Teams needing a do-it-all guy should look no further than Austin Peay’s LJ Thomas. Averaging 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, Thomas can provide for teams in multiple facets of the game.

Another player to watch is UT Martin’s Tarence Guinyard. The 6’2 guard averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season. Several programs could likely use Guinyard’s scoring ability. Plus, Jasai Miles stands out as a top player on the transfer list. The 6’6 sophomore guard spent the past few seasons in the A-Sun with North Florida. The wing stands out because of his 15.4 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per contest average. Teams looking for a game-changer should check into the versatile player’s availability.

The women’s side of the transfer portal is also starting to heat up too. Furman’s Tate Walters is looking at her next destination after averaging 12.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists a game. Her all-around game will help any team needing a jack-of-all-trades player. Then there’s Boston College’s Kaylah Ivey. The former Eagle averaged 5.6 ppg and 5 assists per contest this season. Her ability to facilitate makes her a difference-maker for teams in need of a stable PG presence. UT Martin’s Shae Littleford is another interesting name in the portal. Littleford put up 11.2 per game and recorded 1.9 steals per contest as well. The added scoring and defensive prowess could make her a great addition to teams as well.

More than 1,900 Division I players entered the transfer portal last year and it only continues to become a more important avenue for teams looking for a quick rebuild. Clearly, the transfer portal is altering the way college basketball teams are constructed—and likely will continue to play a big role in shaping the sport for years to come.

What are the new changes we will see in the transfer portal?

There are also some new rules with this year’s transfer window. For example, the transfer window has been reduced from 45 days to 30. The men’s transfer portal will open on March 24 and close on April 22, 2025, and because there is a separate transfer portal for women, it will open on March 25 and close on April 23, 2025. However, there are exceptions: student-athletes whose coach leaves their school, for instance, or graduate transfers, who can enter the portal at any time during the academic year.

The future of college hoops may potentially hold even more changes on the horizon. The NCAA can impose a salary cap of $20.5 million when it comes to revenue-sharing compensation for NIL deals across all sports. Which will have an impact on schools’ ability to recruit and retain players. That could influence how programs plan their rosters going forward, at least when it comes to NIL offers.

As the 2025 transfer portal season gets going, one thing is certain: players are starting to dictate their destinies. As college basketball continues to evolve, there is no telling how the transfer portal will impact sports going forward. The drama may be playing out away from the court, but it’s just as exciting as anything we’ll witness during March Madness.