Since the NCAA implemented the one-time transfer rule, the number of student-athletes entering the portal is at an all-time high. No sport has been impacted more than Men's Basketball, with approximately 33% of players transferring at least once during their collegiate career. College athletes are most likely to transfer because of a lack of playing time, a mismatch between athletic expectations and their experience, a coaching issue, or financial concerns. While some players may move to another DI program, over 60% of transfers move to a DII school. For whatever reason you are thinking about transferring, here are the best schools, based on what you're looking for.

Top destinations for transfers looking for more playing time: 

1. University of Oregon 
   Dana Altman consistently produces top squads with major contributions from transfer students. Oregon transfer additions play a nation-leading 68.7% of the minutes. For the 2021-22 season, the Ducks added new transfers: Quincy Guerrier (Syracuse), Jacob Young (Rutgers), De'Vion Harmon (Oklahoma), Rivaldo Soares (South Plains College), and welcome back Eric Williams Jr (Duquesne). 
   Previous transfer successes include Anthony Mathis (New Mexico), Shakur Juiston (UNLV), Elijah Brown (New Mexico), MiKyle McIntosh (Illinois State), LJ Figueroa (St. John's), Dylan Ennis (Villanova), and Paul White (UConn).

2. University of Arkansas 
   Eric Musselman, who used transfer athletes to help build up the Nevada program before arriving in Fayetteville, values the transfer portal. After a 2021 roster led by transfers Justin Smith, Jalen Tate, and JD Notae lost in the Elite 8, Musselman immediately went back in the portal to bolster the Razorback roster. This year, his team features Au'Diese Toney (Pitt), Trey Wade (Wichita State), Chris Lykes (Miami), Stanley Umude (South Dakota), and Jaxson Robinson (Texas A&M), alongside four returning transfer players. With only five non-transfers (many of them freshmen), Arkansas' reconstructed roster currently sits second in the SEC, after a 75-73 win versus Kentucky.  

3. Texas Southern University 
   Since 2012, no other school has added more transfers than Texas Southern, which averages over three transfers per year. At Texas Southern University, transfers play 63.3% of all minutes and have a huge impact on the game. Transfers PJ Henry (16 points) and Joirdon Karl Nicholas (17 points on 7-7 shooting) powered TSU's historic 69-54 win over then 20th-ranked Florida in December 2021. 

4. Tulane University of Louisiana
   Under coach Ron Hunter, Tulane has consistently brought on transfers to bolster the team. Averaging 57.5% of the minutes played, new transfers Jalen Cook (LSU), Kevin Cross (Nebraska), and Scott Spencer (La Salle) have helped the Green Wave turn a 4-12 conference record in 2020-2021 to a 9-5 record in the 2021-2022 season. 

5. North Carolina Central University
   Levelle Moton, who was named the MEAC's most outstanding coach in 2021, has helped build a strong NCCU basketball program. After welcoming two transfers this fall -Nehmie Kabeya (College of Southern Idaho) and Alex Caldwell (SE Missouri State) – NCCU sits second in the conference and is vying for an automatic bid to the Big Dance.  

6. The University of New Mexico
   In his first season with the Lobos, Richard Pitino, son of Rick Pitino, has added six new transfer players to his roster. Playing 58.8% of the time, these additions are likely to see a lot of work.  

7. University of Southern California
   When NBA talent Onyeka Okongwu declared for the draft after just one year at USC, Coach Andy Enfield went to the transfer portal to fill out his roster. Tahj Eaddy from Santa Clara became USC's inside-out offense, Drew Peterson (Rice) and Isaiah White (Utah Valley) found roles as starters, and Chevez Goodwin (Wofford) added quality minutes off the bench. This transfer-filled squad made it to the Elite Eight in 2021. With Evan Mobley leaving for the NBA, USC will continue to reload through the portal. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities and Campus Visits

Top destinations for transfers looking to elevate their draft status:

1. University of Kentucky
   Kentucky is an NBA pipeline that has produced 55 first-round picks. Although many of those players were “one-and-done,” Kentucky transfer players have also found success. This year, transfer Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia) is projected as the 42nd pick in the NBA draft. Kyle Macy, Derek Anderson, and Mark Pope are other former Wildcat transfers that went on to have NBA careers. At Kentucky, transfers have the opportunity to play for a NCAA contender and get on the radar of NBA teams. 

Related: Choosing between Going Pro and Playing College Basketball

2. Duke University 
   Duke receives considerable media attention and has generated 49 first-round draft picks. One notable Blue Devil transfer is Seth Curry. Despite the success of his older brother, Seth was not heavily recruited out of high school. After a big freshman year for Liberty, he was able to transfer to Duke, where he started his final two seasons. Even though he went undrafted, Curry found a place in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors and earned a spot on the Grizzlies NBA roster later that year. After a recent trade to the New York Nets, the 9-year vet will add his shooting prowess to a potent Brooklyn offense. 

3. University of California-Los Angeles
   While known for its storied college basketball history, UCLA is still an incubator for NBA talent. The Bruins are tied for the 5th most graduates on 2021-22 NBA rosters. Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang's breakout performance in the Final Four with UCLA put him on NBA draft boards. The 6'7 junior is currently projected to be a late first-round pick. 

4. Gonzaga University 
   Despite playing in a mid-major conference, the perennial contending Gonzaga Bulldogs  are becoming more respected by NBA scouts. Four Gonzaga transfers made ESPN's Best men's college basketball transfers of all time. With nine former Bulldogs in the NBA this season, the Zags are an ideal transfer destination. 

5. Baylor University
   The defending champion Baylor Bears are playing an elite level of basketball. Last year, Baylor started two transfers, Davion Mitchell and Mario Teague, with Adam Flager and Johnathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua coming off the bench. Davion Mitchell's successful use of the portal led him to win a National Championship and be drafted 9th overall by the Sacramento Kings. 

Related: 8 FAQs about the NCAA Transfer Process

Top destinations for transfers looking for DII Basketball: 

1. Northwest Missouri State University
   After winning their third national championship in the last five years, Northwest Missouri State has established itself as the best DII Men's Basketball program. Athletes who transfer to this program will have the opportunity to play for a contender while likely paying less in tuition. 

2. Bentley University
   If you are looking for a mix of academics and basketball, No.17 ranked Bentley is the right program for you. The Falcons boast a 98% academic success rate and an 18-4 record this year. Consistently competitive, Bentley has had only one losing season in the last 12 years. 

3. Augustana University 
   The No. 5 ranked Augustana Vikings, led by national champion and two-time national coach of the year Tom Billeter, are a premier DII program. Coach Billeter has a history of developing championship teams and all-NSIC players. A transfer to Augustana would be prime to bring home some hardware. 

4. Nova Southeastern University
   Coach Jim Crutchfield has built an NSU program that ranks #1 in DII Men's Basketball, over consistent favorite NW Missouri State. Crutchfield's uptempo style transformed the Sharks from a 6-20 program into title contenders. In his five years at NSU, Crutchfield has produced five future professional players, five All-America honors, four First Team All-SSC performers, two SSC Newcomers of the Year, and two SSC Freshmen of the Year. 

Related: How to Avoid Illegal Recruiting, for Transfer Athletes 

5. Rollins College
   Located just outside Orlando, Florida, Rollins offers high-quality academic programs and good basketball. This academic powerhouse was ranked the #1 Southern Regional University by US News. On the court, the team's winning percentage has hovered around .500 over the last couple of years. Having earned an Elite Eight bid as recently as 2017, Rollins looks to get back to the top of DII basketball.

Photo Source: Watch Stadium

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* Originally published on March 1, 2022, by Chloe Singer