The transfer portal is closed, but many college basketball teams continue to work on their 2024-25 roster while recruiting remaining players and awaiting NBA Draft decisions. Arkansas is among the last teams to form a full rotation, joining the national conversation.
Before entering the top contenders next season, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Some teams, players and coaches still have decisions to make before kickoff, so the list is always changing. Here are the guidelines you need to know:
- Not all NBA Draft decisions will be made for the player, despite the early registration deadline. They are considered again unless they were included in the latest On3 mock draft. Any other decisions will be taken into account when the player announces his plan moving forward. Additionally, this is the final year of COVID eligibility rules, and each roster has been tracked as best as possible to determine which players have additional eligibility. Waivers and decisions from senior officials will shape the final list.
Here’s an early look at what the Top 25 rankings could look like in the 2024-25 season.
1.Alabama
Key Returns: Mark Sears*, Nelson Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell, Jarin Stevenson*
Key additions: Derrion Reid, Aidan Sherrell, Mallette Houston, Chris Youngblood, Naas Cunningham, Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon, Clifford Omoruyi
Key outputs: Aaron Estrada, rylan griffen, Nick Pringle, Samuel Walters
Alabama made headlines by adding former Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi to the starting lineup. The Crimson Tide now has talent and depth at every position with just two NBA Draft decisions from Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson.
2.Houston
Key Returns: L.J. Cryer, J’Wan Roberts, Emmanuel Sharp, Ja’Vier Francis, Terrance Arceneaux
Key additions: Milos Uzan*
Key outputs: Damian Dunn, Jamal Shead
Kansas passed Houston for first place after more additions in recent weeks, but has now returned to the top after seeing a conference rival lose a commitment in the transfer portal.
3.Kansas
Key Returns: Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams, hunter dickinson
Key additions: Zeke Mayo, Flory Bidunga, AJ Storr, Rakease Passmore, rylan griffen
Key outputs: Kevin McCullar Jr., Nick Timberlake, Johnny Furphy*
Kansas lost a commitment from former Florida guard Riley Kugel, who will not transfer. The result is a slight drop below Big 12 rival Houston as roster depth takes a hit.
4. University of Connecticut
Key Returns: Alex Karaban*, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson
Key additions: Tarris Reed, Ahmad Nowell, Liam McNeeley, Aidan Mahaney
Key outputs: Tristen Newton, Donovan Clingan, Stephen’s Castle, cam spencer
UConn made a splash in the transfer portal and is now on the recruiting trail to land five-star forward Liam McNeeley following his release from Indiana. Next they hope to achieve the triplet.
5. Duke
Key Returns: Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster
Key additions: Cooper Flag, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knüppel, Patrick Ngongba, Darren Harris, Maliq brown, Mason Gillis, James Sion*, Cameron Sheffield
Key outputs: Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Mark Mitchell, Jeremy Roach
The number one recruiting class belongs to Duke and Jon Scheyer. Top-ranked recruit Cooper Flagg is joined by a talented group on the way, plus a clear transfer portal plan to develop with veterans and potential wing options. Rice transfer Cameron Sheffield is the final depth piece.
6.Baylor
Key Returns: Love Langston, Jayden Nunn
Key additions: VJ Edgecombe, Rob Wright, Jason Asemota, Jeremy Roach, Norchad Omier
Key outputs: Ja’Kobe Walter, Yves Missi, Ray Dennis, Jalen Bridges
Baylor bounced back out of the Top 25 too early this month by adding the commitment of former Miami center Norchad Omier. The level of talent and experience will make the Bears a contender pending the NBA’s decisions.
7. Gonzaga
Key Returns: Graham Ike, Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, Braden Huff, Steele Venters
Key additions: Michael Ajayi*, Battle of the CaliphEmmanuel Innocenti
Key outputs: Anton Watson
Gonzaga added to the backcourt several times through the transfer portal and helped solidify the defense on the wing by adding Emmanuel Innocenti to the rotation.
8. auburn
Key Returns: Johni Broome, Chad Baker-Mazara, Denver Jones, Dylan Cardwell
Key additions: Tahaad Pettiford, JP Pegues, Ja’Heim Hudson, Miles Kelly*
Key outputs: Jaylin Williams, Aden Holloway, KD Johnson, Tre Donaldson
Auburn landed a transfer portal commitment from Miles Kelly this week to secure wing scoring and provide backcourt help, which includes senior transfer JP Pegues.
9. Iowa State
Key Returns: Gilberto Keshon, Tamin Lipsey, Curtis Jones, Milan Momcilovic
Key additions: Nate Heise, Jackson Jackson, Brandon Chatfield, jose jefferson
Key outputs: three king, Robert Jones, Hason Ward
Iowa State added Joshua Jefferson to a group that already showed promise entering the season inside the Top 10 of the preseason rankings. The Cyclones look ready for another year at the top of the analytical machines.
10. Creighton
Key Returns: Alejandro Trey*, Steven Ashworth, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Miller
Key additions: Jackson McAndrew, Jamiya Neal, Isaacs pop
Key outputs: Baylor Scheierman
Creighton remains in the Top 10 of the updated-too-early Top 25 thanks to a pair of backcourt additions. Pop Isaacs and Jamiya Neal promise to keep things moving as the team recharges in the Big East title race.
Rating 11-25
11. North Carolina
Key Returns: rj davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble
Key additions: Ian Jackson, Drake Powell, Cade Tyson, Ven-Allen Lubin
Key outputs: Armando Bacot, Cormac Ryan, Harrison Ingram*
12.Arizona
Key Returns: Pelle Larsson*, love caleb*, Jaden Bradley*, KJ Lewis, Motiejus Krivas
Key additions: joson sanan, carter bryant, Jamari Phillips, Trey Townsend*, Tobe Awaka, Antonio Dell’Orso
Key outputs: Keshad Johnson, Omar Ballo, Kylan Boswell
13. Tiles
Key Returns: Kadin Shedrick, chendall weaver
Key additions: Teresa Johnson, Tramon brand, Julian Larry, Jason Kent, Jordan Pope
Key outputs: Max Abmas, Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter, Dillon Mitchell
14. Marqueta
Key Returns: kam jones, David Joplin, stevie mitchell, Chase Ross, Sean Jones, ben gold
Key additions: N/A
Key outputs: Ighodaro Bear, Tyler Kolek
15. Providence
Key Returns: Bryce Hopkins, Jayden Pierre
Key additions: Bensley Joseph, Christ Essandoko, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Wesley Cardet*
Key outputs: David Carter, Josh Oduro, Ticket earnings
16. Tennessee
Key Returns: Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey
Key additions: Darlinstone Dubar, Felix Okpara, Igor Milicic*, Chaz Lanier*
Key outputs: Dalton Knecht, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah Jordan James, Jonas Aidoo, Tobe Awaka
17.UCLA
Key Returns: Lazar Stefanovic, Dylan Andrews, Sebastian Mack
Key additions: Trent Perry, Kobe Johnson, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey, Tyler Bilodeau, William Kyle, Dominick Harris
Key outputs: Adem Bona
18. Clemson
Key Returns: chase hunter*, PJ Lounge*, Ian Schieffelin, Chauncey Wiggins, Jake Heidbreder
Key additions: Viktor Lahkin, Jaeden Zackery, Myles Foster
Key outputs: R. G. Godfrey
19.Florida
Key Returns: Walter Clayton*, Will Richard*, Alex Condon, Micah Handlogten
Key additions: Sam Alexis, Ruben Chinyelu, Alija Martin
Key outputs: Zyon Pullin, Riley Kugel, Samuel Tyrese
20. Purdue
Key Returns: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn
Key additions: Kanon Captures
Key outputs: Zach Edey, Lance Jones, Mason Gillis
21.Indiana
Key Returns: Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako
Key additions: Bryson Tucker, Myles Rice, Omar Ballo, Kanaan Carlyle, Luke Goode, Langdon Hatton
Key outputs: Xavier Johnson, Antonio Walker, Kel’el Items
22. USC
Key Returns: N/A
Key additions: Clark Slajchert, jose cohen, Bryce Papa, Matt Knowling, St Thomas, Isaiah Elohim, Chibuzo Agbo*, Rashaun Agee, Terrance Williams*, Desmond Claude, Kevin Patton
Key outputs: boogie ellis, Isaiah Collier, Kobe Johnson, DJ Rodman, Joshua Morgan, Oziyah Sellers, Vincent Iwuchukwu
23.Arkansas
Key Returns: N/A
Key additions: Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond, Jonas Aidoo, Johnell Davis*, Zvonimir Ivisic, Adou Thiero, DJ Wagner
Key outputs: Ellis, Jeremiah Davenport, Jalen Graham, mahi mitchell, Trevon Brazil, David Davis, Keyon Menifield, Tramon brand, Battle of the Caliph
24. Texas A&M
Key Returns: wade taylor, Anderson Garcia, Henry Coleman, Solomon Washington, Jace Carter, Manny Obaseki, Hayden Hefner
Key additions: CJ Wilcher, Pharrel Payne, Zurich Phelps
Key outputs: Tyrece Radford
T-25. Cincinnati
Key Returns: Day Day Thomas, Simas Lukosius, Aziz Bandaogo, Dan Skillings, James James, Fredrick C.J.
Key additions: tyler betsey, Connor Hickman, Dillon Mitchell
Key outputs: Viktor Lakhin, James Reynolds
T-25 old lady
Key Returns: Matthew Murrell*, Jaemyn Brakefield, Jaylen Murray, TJ Caldwell
Key additions: Juan Bol, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Malik dia, David Barnes, David Davis, Sean Pedulla
Key outputs: Allen Flanigan
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