Dick Vitale names Top 5 Prime Time Players added from the Transfer Portal

1,131 players entered the NCAA Transfer Portal with just over half of those having committed elsewhere to this point of the offseason in college basketball. Now, among them all, ESPN’s Dick Vitale has rated his top-five transfer additions for this upcoming season.

Vitale provided his portal winners in an article released on Monday. That also included his Top-5 PTPers (Prime-Time Players) who have found new programs around the NCAA, including a trio from the Big Ten, one from the Big 12, and one from the ACC.

Here were Dickie V.’s top-five transfer commitments from this year’s portal cycle in college ‘hoops:

1. PJ Haggerty – Kansas State Wildcats

Haggerty, the highest-scoring returning player in the sport after averaging 21.7 points (47.6% FG, 36.4% 3PT) along with 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last year at Memphis, found himself at No. 1 for Vitale. Now, Haggerty, a Consensus Second Team All-American, the AAC Player of the Year, and the No. 3 overall transfer and No. 1 SG according to On3’s 2025 Top Transfer Portal Players, is the highlight addition of the offseason for K-State with the compensation he apparently got in Manhattan.

“With his length and scoring ability, he can light it up, create turnovers and disrupt passing lanes,” Vitale wrote. “Look out Big 12.”

2. Donovan Dent – UCLA Bruins

Dent then came in at No. 2 for Vitale coming off a three-year career at New Mexico, including a career-best season at 20.4 points (49% FG, 40.9% 3PT), 6.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game as Mountain West Player of the Year in his final one with the Lobos. Dent, now the No. 6 transfer and No. 2 PG in the portal at On3, will be in Los Angeles and lead the Bruins after also cashing in with NIL.

“Mick Cronin found his floor general. Dent’s downhill dashes will have Pauley Pavilion rockin’ like the ’70s,” wrote Vitale. “He’s got energy, handles like a magician, and he can make things happen off the dribble.”

3. Yaxel Lendeborg – Michigan Wolverines

Lendeborg, the No. 3 transfer for Vitale while being the No. 1 portaler per On3, will be in Ann Arbor after withdrawing from the NBA Draft following two seasons at UAB where he averaged 15.8 points (51.8% FG, 34.9% 3PT), 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.2 steals as a two-time selection as First Team All-AAC and AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He, the top addition for the No. 4 class in On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings, will now fill all of that into the frontcourt for the maize & blue.

“In a portal loaded with guards, Lendeborg stands out,” Vitale wrote. “Dusty May needed a glue guy and got a super-glue guy! Double-double machine, rim-runner, energy giver…He’s a do-it-all player with a high motor, and he’ll battle night after night in the Big Ten.”

4. Darrion Williams – NC State Wolfpack

Williams, being No. 4 for Vitale and at No. 5 as the No. 1 SF at On3, is coming off career-high numbers of 15.1 points (43.9% FG, 34% 3PT on 1.4 makes), 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals as a selection as First Team All Big-12 last year for Texas Tech. He’s now the center of the roster turnover the Wolfpack have had this offseason in Raleigh, namely with the No. 30 portal class per On3.

“Will Wade crushed it on the recruiting trail with the addition of this sharpshooter. Three-ball, toughness, versatility — he’s a statsheet-stuffer, baby!” writes Vitale. “Williams is a top-tier impact player, improving his three-point shot every season. He’ll be the star for this Top-25 contender.”

5. Bennett Stirtz – Iowa Hawkeyes

Finally, Stirtz, No. 5 for Vitale while being No. 2 overall and the No. 1 PG in the portal at On3, follow his head coach in transferring from Drake, where he posted 19.2 points (49.8% FG, 39.5% 3PT on 1.8 makes), 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game as MVC Player of the Year, to Iowa, with the Hawkeyes having the No. 20 class in the portal per On3. He’ll now look to be just as productive as he has been in Division II and in the Missouri Valley with his upcoming season in the Big Ten.

“Stirtz is a skilled combo guard with a silky arc shot and a knack for scoring around the rim,” Vitale writes. “The Big Ten’s a step up, but this kid’s got the talent to adapt and excel in his first year with the Hawkeyes.”