Unlocking Opportunities: The Positive Impact of the NCAA Transfer Portal on Collegiate Basketball.
Lauren Betts/UCLA Communications, Te-Hina Paopao/South Carolina Communications, and Aneesah Morrow/LSU Communications.
This season we’ve seen several players ball out on the biggest stages, many of whom were rocking a different jersey last year. So let me put you on game with the top DYNAMIC transfers of the 2024 season.
Here's my top five thus far:
Lauren Betts (UCLA): Betts waved goodbye to Stanford and came clawing into UCLA. Immediately making her presence felt, Betts is averaging 15.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 1.9 bpg. She’s dominating the paint, shooting 68.3% from the field, proving that her move to UCLA was the perfect fit for both parties. On Tuesday, she was named to the Late Season Top 20 Watch List for the John R. Wooden Award.
Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina): This guard made the leap from Oregon to South Carolina, and the Gamecocks are reaping the rewards. Check this out – career-high percentages of 51% from the field and an insane 50.5% from beyond the arc. She has shot her way onto the Late Season Top 20 Watch List for the John R. Wooden Award. Who needs fireworks when you’ve got Paopao lighting the sky up?
Aneesah Morrow (LSU): The Tigers hit the jackpot when Morrow transferred in from DePaul. Known for her double-double dominance, she’s currently on track to keep that tradition alive in the Bayou averaging 17.9 ppg and 9.5 rpg. Morrow is making her mark alongside star teammate Angel Reese, and they’re a dynamic duo that you don’t want to miss. The consistent play from Morrow this season has also earned herself a spot on the Late Season Top 20 Watch List for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award.
Sedona Prince (TCU): Prince’s journey has been like a rollercoaster, but she’s found her groove at TCU after leaving Oregon. Currently averaging 21.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, and 3.3 bpg, she’s a powerhouse on the court, with the Horned Frogs awaiting her return.
McKenzie Forbes (USC): Forbes brought the Harvard brains to Southern Cal. It may be the JuJu show, but Forbes is the steady leader of the team. She’s currently averaging 13.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, and 3.2 apg, being a guiding force for the young squad.
The transfer portal continues to spark discussion among coaches, players, and fans alike and this season in particular we’ve been able to see the positive aspects of the portal.
LSU has been the biggest benefactor of the portal over the last few years starting with Angel Reese’s transformation from Baltimore to Bayou Barbie. It was not only a good move from an Xs and Os perspective as the Tigers won a championship with her and fellow transfers LaDazhia Williams and Alexis Morris in year one. But it helped her tap into her limitless NIL potential as well.
Her NIL valuation surpassing $1 million (I know that’s right) illustrates how the portal can be a strategic move, aligning with individual career goals.
Her coach, LSU assistant Redus II, is also a fan of the portal and the autonomy it provides players.
“The student-athlete should be allowed to control both their present situation and future without consequence,” said Redus.
He highlighted the parallel between coaches changing jobs and athletes exploring transfer opportunities, emphasizing the necessity for adaptability.
“We’re allowed the opportunity to change jobs year after year for whatever reason,” he said. “I’m glad the same can now be said for the student-athlete.”
Another, more underrated benefit of the portal is the safeguard it provides for players.
As a former manager for the Syracuse women’s basketball team, I witnessed the mass exodus that led to then-head coach Quentin Hillsman’s resignation after reports of inappropriate behavior and bullying. Similar instances at programs like UNC and Texas Tech underscored the need for athletes to have the flexibility to choose their collegiate path.
Beyond coaching dynamics, athletes enter the portal for various reasons, including changes in conference or staff, academic pursuits, mental health considerations, proximity to home, play style preferences, and seizing new opportunities.
The reality is, the portal is here to stay so buckle up.