CBS Sports has released its 2026-27 Preseason All-Transfer Team, highlighting the top players who switched programs via the transfer portal. The list arrives after Michigan's national championship run last season, where coach Dusty May started four transfers — Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara and Elliot Cadeau — en route to the title. Three of those players became NBA lottery picks, fueling a surge in portal spending as programs chase similar success.
First Team
Flory Bidunga, Louisville (C) — Named Preseason Transfer of the Year, Bidunga was the portal's top-rated player. The 6-9 forward with a 7-3 wingspan is considered one of the best four defenders in college basketball alongside Arizona's Mo Krivas, Houston's JoJo Tugler and Florida's Rueben Chinyelu. In Louisville's exhibition win at Kansas, Bidunga switched onto five-star wing Tyran Stokes and held his own. Coach Pat Kelsey called him "a special player" with "a million gifts." Bidunga averaged 1.00 points per possession on 30 drives last season at Kansas.
Acaden Lewis, Miami (PG) — The left-handed sophomore shot 61% on layups and posted 5.3 assists per game with a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio at Villanova. In exhibition play, Lewis scored 23 points on 12 shots with 10 assists against Vanderbilt. Coach Jai Lucas described him as "a basketball savant."
John Blackwell, Duke (SG) — The Wisconsin transfer has emerged as Duke's best 3-point shooter and a late-clock option for coach Jon Scheyer. Scheyer praised Blackwell's consistency and leadership: "He's uplifting, which I think is important."
Tounde Yessoufou, St. John's (SG) — After averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and two steals at Baylor, Yessoufou joins a St. John's backcourt featuring ex-EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis. Coach Rick Pitino challenged him to elevate from good to great in multiple areas to become a lottery pick.
Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky (SF) — Momcilovic shot 49% from 3-point range on over seven attempts per game last season. Coach Mark Pope said: "He doesn't take bad shots because every shot he takes is impossible. He just makes impossible shots."
Second Team
Dedan Thomas, Houston (PG) — Thomas posted a 3.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio at LSU and 2.45-to-1 at UNLV. Durability remains a concern after missing significant time the past two seasons.
PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M (SG) — Haggerty shot 65% at the rim on 245 attempts at Kansas State, with over 40% of his shots coming at the rim in each of the past three seasons.
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State (PF) — The 6-8, 235-pound forward followed coach Randy Bennett from Saint Mary's. He shot over 39% on 43 unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last year.
David Punch, Texas (SF) — The 6-7, 245-pound TCU transfer brings a near 7-foot wingspan and elite switchability. Texas ranked 355th nationally in turnover rate forced last season; Punch is expected to change that. He made only 11 3-pointers last year but impacts winning regardless.
Moustapha Thiam, Michigan (C) — The 7-2 Cincinnati transfer with a 7-6 wingspan anchored a top-10 defense that held opponents to 48% at the rim. Coach Dusty May aims to develop Thiam into a two-way enforcer alongside wizard passer Elliot Cadeau.
Third Team
Isaiah Johnson, Texas (PG) — As a freshman at Colorado, Johnson averaged 16.9 points and 3.0 assists with shooting splits of 38% from three, 57% from two and 82% from the line. He shot 68% at the rim on 72 halfcourt attempts.
Kayden Mingo, Baylor (PG) — The Penn State transfer has made a major Year 2 jump, transforming Baylor's point guard play. He's surrounded by shooting and lob threat Juslin Bodo Bodo.
Stefan Vaaks, Illinois (SG) — Vaaks ranked 12th nationally with 1.4 made pull-up 3-pointers per game but posted just 69 drives in 31 games. He currently comes off the bench as a sixth man.
Aiden Sherrell, Indiana (PF/C) — The Alabama transfer brings size, skill, mobility and rim protection. He has leaned out to play on the perimeter in Indiana's double-big lineups.
Na'jai Hines, UConn (C) — Nicknamed "Baby Shaq," the 6-11, 265-pound Seton Hall transfer ranked 19th in offensive rebound rate and second nationally in block percentage. Coach Dan Hurley's big-man development could unlock his potential.
The article also noted preseason risers and fallers, including UCLA's Jaylen Petty gaining a green light, Louisville using Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad as an off-ball scorer, and Tennessee's Juke Harris facing growing pains in an unsettled pecking order.
