The Portal is Already Wild: Here's How the Top Transfers Stack Up So Far

The college basketball transfer portal has been open for less than three days and it is already chaos. The biggest names in the game are jumping in, looking for a fresh start next season. We are talking about Flory Bidunga from Kansas, John Blackwell from Wisconsin, Massamba Diop from Arizona State, Rob Wright III from BYU, and PJ Haggerty from Kansas State. All of them are out there right now, shopping for a new home.

And the commitments? They are flying in fast. JP Estrella, a former Tennessee forward and the first top-25 guy to commit in this cycle, is heading to reigning national champion Michigan. The Wolverines basically built a championship roster through the portal last year, and they are going to do it again as they replace key rotation pieces.

JP Estrella to Michigan: This One is an A

Estrella is ranked No. 21 overall on the 247Sports transfer portal rankings with a 95 grade. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man is no joke. He can dominate the offensive glass, he has soft hands to finish over defenders, and he runs the offense as a passer. All of that fits perfectly into Michigan's scheme under Dusty May.

Here is the thing: Michigan has a track record of absolutely crushing it with big men from the portal. Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara have all thrived in that system. Lendeborg is heading to the NBA, and Michigan could lose Johnson and Mara too, so Estrella walks into a golden opportunity. Even if one of them sticks around, Estrella's skill and athleticism should fit seamlessly next to them. This is a slam dunk fit. Grade: A.

Miles Byrd to Providence: High-Ceiling Defender

Providence grabbed Miles Byrd, a No. 9 overall transfer ranked with a 96 grade. The San Diego State wing is one of the most sought-after defenders in this portal class. The dude is a freak athletically: 6-foot-10 wingspan, ridiculous body control, and legit bounce. He was the only player in college basketball this season with at least a 6 percent block rate and a 4 percent steal rate. That is elite, elite defense.

The question is offense. But here is where Providence coach Bryan Hodgson comes in. His teams run high transition rates, and Byrd makes his living in space. Once the rest of the Friars' roster settles, we will know more about how he fits, but this is a strong start to the Hodgson era. Byrd will be one of the Big East's best defenders from day one. Grade: B+.

Tyler Lundblade Heads to Tennessee

Tennessee grabbed Tyler Lundblade, a four-star transfer with a 93 grade from Belmont. Tennessee runs floppy action and pindowns to get shooters open, a staple of Rick Barnes' offense for years. Dalton Knecht was great in it. Chaz Lanier was really good in it too.

The portal officially closes on April 21, but players can commit after that. Just remember: the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is May 28 if you want to keep your college eligibility. This thing is far from over.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.