The college basketball season ended three and a half weeks ago. USC’s season ended over a month ago. Dozens of small-conference teams ended their seasons nearly two months ago in the first week of March. Given these realities, it is easy to think that if college basketball programs have not landed big transfers by now, they won’t be able to make a splash in the portal.
That’s an understandable instinct, but it’s not true.
The portal still has over 1,400 players. Moreover, this week is providing still more elite transfers — not role players, but stars — to the portal.
Consider Malachi Smith of Chattanooga, who just became one of the very best transfers on the board after deciding to enter the portal.
This is not a reserve or a defensive specialist; this is a 20-point-per-game stud who would instantly transform any roster he might join.
Andy Enfield of USC and other head coaches have not missed their chance to load up in the portal. They are waiting for NBA draft decisions from their players. In Enfield’s case, that means Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis, who are testing the waters but are expected to ultimately return to USC for the 2023 season.
Once these decisions are made across the country, Enfield and other coaches will finally make the push to land big transfers. The journey is still taking shape. The moment of opportunity has not come and gone.
It’s still right there. We will see where we are in early June.
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