College Basketball Top Transfer Assessments and 26/27 Projections — Part 1

The 2026 men’s transfer portal has reshaped the college landscape yet again, with a handful of high‑end moves likely to swing conference races and NCAA tournament ceilings. In this assessment, we’ll spotlight five of the top transfers whose blend of proven production, positional value, and system fit should make an immediate impact at their new programs in 26–27, projecting them as focal‑point scorers, all‑league defenders, and high‑usage initiators capable of lifting their teams’ efficiency on both ends of the floor.

Below are five of the top ten transfer portal gems and their new schools going into the 26–27 season.

Player 1 — Milan Momcilovic — (Still in portal / destination not yet finalized as of late the end of April; tracked as №1 or top‑tier transfer by multiple outlets)

Momcilovic is the cleanest spacing wing in the group. The stat line is exactly what you want from a modern frontcourt shooter: 16.9 points per game, 48.7 percent from three, and 87.8 percent from the line. Synergy backs that up with a 1.33 points per possession offensive profile and a role tag of dynamic shooting wing. The data reinforces that he is being used more as a high-value shot-maker than a creation hub.

His biggest strength is obvious: elite shooting gravity. He bends defenses without needing heavy dribble usage, and that is a major offensive multiplier. He also has enough size to punish switches and fit in multiple lineup types.

The main limitation is that he is still more scorer than creator. His rebound rate is modest for a 6–8 player, and he does not currently bring much rim pressure or playmaking off the bounce. If the jumper is off, there is less secondary value than you get from the bigger, more versatile forwards.

2026–27 projection: about 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 1–2 assists per game. I’d expect a small usage bump, but the bigger jump should come from shot quality and expanded off-closeout attacks rather than a complete role change.

Player 2 — Flory Bidunga — New School — Louisville

Bidunga is the most impactful defensive player of the five and maybe the safest bet in the group on a possession-to-possession basis. He posted 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 90 blocks, with a massive 64.0 percent field goal rate. Synergy calls him a post-up big, and his offensive efficiency is solid at 1.124 points per possession. The data aligns with him as a true interior anchor.

His strengths are straightforward: rim protection, rebounding, and efficient finishing. He can clean up possessions, erase mistakes at the rim, and anchor a defense without needing touches. That kind of big is valuable in almost any system.

The weakness is also straightforward: he has no perimeter game right now. Zero made threes means defenses can crowd the lane and force the offense to be built around his inside touches. He is very good, but he is still a pretty defined role player offensively unless the ball finds him in optimal spots.

2026–27 projection: about 14–15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2–3 blocks per game. The next step is a more reliable short-roll game and more foul-drawing, not necessarily spacing.

Player 3 — John Blackwell — New School — Duke

Blackwell is the best balanced guard scorer in the set. He put up 19.1 points per game, shot 38.9 percent from three, and 86.3 percent from the line, which is a strong perimeter scoring foundation. Synergy tags him as a secondary ball handler with 1.083 points per possession and a solid 1.42 assist-to-turnover ratio. The data fits him as a real guard creator rather than just a spacer.

His strengths are his multi-level scoring, ability to play on or off the ball, and enough passing to keep the offense functional. He can get to midrange, hit threes, and punish softer coverages.

The concern is that his efficiency is good rather than elite for the level of shot burden he carries. He scored a lot, but the 43.0 percent field goal percentage shows he is not living on easy looks. If his role expands further, the key question is whether his shot selection and playmaking scale with it.

2026–27 projection: about 20–21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4–5 assists per game. He looks like a high-volume scorer who could become even more dangerous if the efficiency nudges upward.

Player 4 — Paulius Murauskas — New School — Arizona State

Murauskas is the most versatile frontcourt connector of the group. He averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, shot 48.2 percent from the field, and a strong 84.0 percent at the line. Synergy calls him a playmaking big, with 1.061 points per possession and a profile that suggests he can score, pass, and rebound in multiple ways. The data supports a player with broad offensive utility.

His best traits are touch, versatility, and offensive feel. He can make plays from different spots, keep the offense moving, and punish mismatches. That free-throw number especially suggests that the scoring skill is real.

His downside is that the perimeter shot is still more functional than dangerous at 33.3 percent from three, and he does not bring the same kind of defensive disruption that Bidunga does. He is skilled, but not necessarily explosive, so against better length and athleticism he may have to work harder for his shots.

2026–27 projection: about 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. I’d expect steady growth rather than a dramatic leap, with value coming from expanded usage and better shot distribution.

Player 5 — P.J. Haggerty — New School — Texas A&M

Haggerty is the highest-usage offensive engine here. He scored 23.4 points per game, added 119 assists, and collected 37 steals, which tells you he was carrying a major offensive and playmaking load. Synergy labels him a scoring ball handler, and that fits the profile perfectly. The data supports the idea that this is a true lead guard style scorer.

His biggest strength is simple: he can create offense at a high volume. He has the ball in his hands, can get to his own shot, and can create for others. That matters a ton, especially late in possessions.

The problem is efficiency. His 0.978 points per possession and 56.3 percent true shooting are the weakest efficiency markers among these five, and his turnover burden is significant. He can absolutely produce big scoring nights, but he is also the player most dependent on roster context.

2026–27 projection: about 25 points, 5–6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. If he lands in a more balanced offense, he could be even more efficient with slightly less raw usage.

Overall ranking

Momcilovic is the best shooting weapon, Bidunga is the best defensive anchor, Blackwell is the most complete scoring guard, Murauskas is the most versatile frontcourt connector, and Haggerty is the most explosive high-usage scorer.

Quick takeaway

If I had to summarize the five in one line each:

• Momcilovic: elite spacer
• Bidunga: rim-protecting anchor
• Blackwell: balanced scoring guard
• Murauskas: skilled playmaking big
• Haggerty: high-volume offensive engine