Under-the-Radar Transfers with NBA Upside

Three overlooked transfers who looked like potential NBA prospects last season and could take another leap on new teams.

The new age of NIL and the flexibility of the transfer portal has reshaped college basketball, and with it, the NBA Draft. Increased movement across programs has enabled more opportunities than ever for players to amplify their draft stock. No longer are players bound to limited roles or incompatible game plans; instead, they have the freedom to seek a fresh start. It has resulted in a drastic increase in transfers throughout college basketball, with nearly 2,700 players entering the transfer portal. For NBA evaluators, this shift has added new layers of context to scouting, making it more crucial than ever to look beyond pedigree and into factors such as fit, development, and production.

The surge in transfers had added unpredictability to player projection. For example, guys like DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, AJ Storr, and Cade Tyson were all projected to see rises in stock heading into the 2025 season with new homes, each hoping that a change of scenery could unlock more of their game, only to find themselves in college for another season or struggling to gain NBA traction. On the other hand, players such as Danny Wolf, Adou Thiero, Sion James, and Chaz Lanier fully embraced the new surroundings, stepping into larger roles and producing at a level that has caught the eyes of scouts. They didn’t enter the draft cycle with significant buzz, but through steady contributions, clear growth, and an ability to impact winning, they have forced themselves into the broader draft discussion.

Past inconsistencies in player development in the portal make scouting all the more difficult. It is never a guarantee that success in one setting will translate cleanly to another. New systems bring new responsibilities, different pacing, and unfamiliar expectations. In this piece, I’ll dive into three prospects that’ll play for new programs next season: Adrian Wooley, Dailyn Swaine, and KeShawn Murphy. While there’s a chance their stock takes a hit next season, there is reason to believe their upward trajectory will continue, with each showcasing meaningful growth this past season.