Caden Pierce, the 2023-24 Ivy League player of the year, officially enters the transfer portal Wednesday after sitting out his senior season at Princeton to preserve his eligibility. The 6-foot-7 wing is expected to receive interest from major programs across the country.
Pierce is spending this academic year at Princeton as a non-athlete to complete his economics degree before transferring to a power conference program. The decision allows him to showcase his skills against elite competition while pursuing significant NIL compensation unavailable in the Ivy League.
The Ivy League prohibits athletic scholarships, NIL collectives, and revenue sharing between schools and athletes. Pierce’s family pays his full tuition at Princeton. When asked if he would make this move if Princeton offered comparable compensation to power conference programs, Pierce acknowledged the financial factor.
“I can’t say for sure, but it’s 1,000 percent a harder decision,” Pierce said. “There is lots of money out there, higher-level basketball, a chance to prove myself.”
Pierce earned Ivy League rookie of the year honors in 2022-23, leading Princeton to the NCAA tournament Sweet 16. He was named conference player of the year as a sophomore. His decision to sit out came after point guard Xaivian Lee transferred to Florida and forward Jack Scott left for Duke this past spring.
“What I’m learning as I continue to grow is that the only constant in life is change,” Pierce wrote in a social media post announcing his decision.
Pierce’s older brother Justin pioneered a similar path in 2019, transferring from William & Mary to North Carolina as a graduate student. Justin played professionally overseas for four years after college.
Coaches can officially contact Pierce’s agency, Priority Sports, beginning Wednesday. He plans to approach the recruiting process methodically through fall and winter rather than rushing a decision next spring. Pierce recently competed with the U.S. under-23 three-on-three team in China.
