With premier talent continuing to contemplate their decisions, here are the top 10 available players in the portal per The Portal Report’s portal rankings. This is brought to you via a partnership between HoopsHQ and TPR.
1. George Kimble II, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard, Eastern Kentucky
He received limited Division I interest as a high school player in Tampa and began his career at Division II Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. He averaged 19.4 points and 4.6 assists to earn Sunshine State Conference Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24.
Kimble moved up to Division I Eastern Kentucky this past season and continued to star. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals, and was the Colonels’ leading scorer. Kimble flashed the ability to produce against high-major programs, with 24- and 16-point outings against Louisville and Pitt, respectively.
Although no definitive reports have surfaced regarding Kimble’s recruitment, keep an eye on targets closer to home, particularly Miami and new coach Jai Lucas. Lucas has added two guards in the portal thus far: 6-foot-3 senior Michigan transfer Tre Donaldson and 6-foot-4 junior New Mexico transfer Tru Washington.
2. Ali Dibba, 6-foot-5 senior wing, Southern Illinois
A native of Sweden who played high school ball in the Orlando area, Dibba started his career with a redshirt season at Chicago State before transferring to Abilene Christian. He came off the bench in his first season with the Wildcats, then was a starter in his second year there, averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
He transferred to Southern Illinois this past season and started all 33 games. Dibba averaged a team-high 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals, and was a third-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree. SIU also lost Kennard Davis Jr., a 6-foot-6 sophomore guard who transferred to BYU.
Dibba poured in a career-high 33 points, including five three-pointers, in a tight loss at Belmont before surpassing the 30-point mark again in a MVC tournament victory over Indiana State.
3. Jamir Watkins, 6-foot-7 redshirt senior, Florida State
An impressive showing in the first scrimmage at the NBA Draft Combine may have pushed the needle in the direction of the draft for Watkins, who finished with 23 points.
He began his career with two seasons at VCU and caught the attention of then-FSU coach Leonard Hamilton. Watkins averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior with the Seminoles, then increased that to 18.4 points this past season, when he also averaged 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
After Hamilton’s retirement, Watkins announced his decision to enter the portal while also declaring for the draft.
If the talented wing decides to stay in college, a trio of programs have expressed interest. Kentucky, Louisville and Illinois are the three to keep an eye on for Watkins, per reports.
4. Darrion Williams, 6-foot-6 junior wing, Texas Tech
Like Watkins, Williams entered the portal with intentions to declare for the NBA Draft. But he struggled at the combine, finishing a combined 1-of-9 from the floor in two games.
Williams was a more-than-capable contributor as a freshman at Nevada, winning 2022-23 Rookie of the Year honors in the Mountain West Conference. He then moved on to Texas Tech and was productive in his two seasons there. This past season, he improved as an offensive player and averaged 15.1 points (along with 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists) as Texas Tech advanced to the third Elite Eight in program history.
In a second-round win over Drake, Williams had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He also scored 23 points in an Elite Eight loss to eventual national champion Florida.
Per reports, Williams — a Sacramento native — has heard from Kansas, Ohio State, North Carolina State and BYU while in the portal.
5. PJ Haggerty, 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore guard, Memphis
In what has been one of the more intriguing portal recruitments, Haggerty — the nation’s third-leading scorer at 21.7 points this past season — appears to be narrowing in on a decision. Haggerty hit 12 field goals at the dual-scrimmage combine, finishing with 34 points in the two games.
Haggerty, who was the AAC Player of the Year for Memphis, undoubtedly saw his stock rise from his performance at the combine. But if North Carolina State, the front-runner for Haggerty if he returns to college, is willing to pay Haggerty’s reported asking price of $4 million, he could end up playing for new Wolfpack coach Will Wade.
6. Boogie Fland, 6-foot-2 freshman guard, Arkansas
The last of a quartet of possible NBA Draft entries in The Portal Report’s top 10 available transfers, Fland may have the highest upside of the group. He has withdrawn from the draft process.
Per reports, national champion Florida leads the race to land Fland, who averaged 13.5 points and 5.1 assists at Arkansas. He missed 15 games after having thumb surgery in January but returned in time for the NCAA Tournament.
7. Paul McMillan IV, 6-foot-3 junior guard, Canisius
The No. 20 scorer in the nation at 20.0 points per game, McMillan will be headed to his fourth college after he makes his decision in the portal. After starting just five games combined in a season each at NJIT and Central Michigan, McMillan found his stride at Canisius this past season. Despite playing for the team tied for the fewest wins in the country (Canisius finished 3-28), McMillan was a bright spot and averaged 36.1 minutes per game.
No reports regarding potential landing spots for McMillan — a third-team All-MAAC selection — have materialized but keep an eye on Ohio State and Cincinnati. McMillan is a Cincinnati native.
8. Keonte Jones, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Cal State Northridge
Just over three weeks after a commitment to USC, Jones decommitted from the Trojans on April 28. Jones spent his first three seasons at the junior college level, including redshirting as a true freshman at Mineral Area JC in Parkland, Mo. He then played a season each at Mineral Area and Midland (Texas) College before moving on to CSUN, where he averaged 12.3 points per game over the past two seasons.
Jones fielded interest from Michigan, Oklahoma and Florida State, among others, upon entering the portal.
9. Trent McLaughlin, 6-foot-6 senior guard, Northern Arizona
McLaughlin had six 30-point games this past season and finished second in the nation at 22.1 points per game. After spending his freshman season at Central Connecticut State, McLaughlin was a reserve for the Lumberjacks as a sophomore in 2022-23, then started the past two seasons. He was a first-team All-Big Sky selection this past season, when he also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Under the guidance of coach Shane Burcar and associate Gary Bell Jr., McLaughlin thrived at NAU. Keep an eye on Bell’s alma mater, Gonzaga, in the portal chase for McLaughlin. Gonzaga has a hole to fill in the backcourt following the departure of 6-foot senior guard Ryan Nembhard.
10. Desmond Claude, 6-foot-6 junior guard, USC
Claude began his career with two seasons at Xavier. After a big sophomore season in 2023-24, in which he averaged 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists, he transferred to USC. Now, after averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 assists for the Trojans, Claude is back in the portal.
Florida appeared to be leading in the recruitment of Claude. But following a May 1 visit to Gainesville, the Gators’ interest cooled. Alabama is scheduled to host Claude for an official visit Sunday. In addition, Claude – a native of New Haven, Conn. – has heard from Gonzaga, Duke, Kentucky and Ole Miss, per reports.
