We’re now well past the deadline for players to declare for the transfer portal, but players continue to choose new destinations.
The wrinkle right now for these players — and their prospective teams — is that the NCAA vs. House settlement is not approved yet. Once approved, teams can fund 15 full scholarships. Right now, they’re still bound by the current limits. So, some of these players are in a holding pattern.
Here are this week’s biggest winners and losers in the Big 12.
Winners: Oklahoma State Men
I don’t think we’re talking enough about the class they’ve pulled in. Earlier this week ESPN provided updated rosters for all of the power conference teams and the Cowboys aren’t bringing much back — just Robert Jennings II (5.4 PPG), Andrija Vukovic (1.8 PPG).
So, the Cowboys need scoring and a lot of it. Fortunately, second-year coach Steve Lutz is on it. Look at this transfer haul:
Anthony Roy (25.7 PPG at Green Bay), Isaiah Coleman (15.6 PPG at Seton Hall), Jaylen Curry (13.3 PPG at UMass), Parsa Fallah (12.8 PPG at Oregon State), Christian Coleman (11.6 PPG at UAB), Vyctorius Miller (8.9 PPG at LSU) and Kanye Clary (6.3 PPG at Mississippi State).
The irony, of course, is that Roy played for former Cowboys player-turned part-time college basketball coach Doug Gottlieb last season. Green Bay went 4-28 last year. Roy told Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI that Gottlieb told him OSU would be a “good fit” for him.
If Roy produces at 80% of what he produced last year in making the jump from mid-major to high-major then this could be fun.
Losers: Utah Women
Utah already knew it was going to lose guard Gianna Kneepkens. On Thursday, the Utes found out where she was going.
Kneepkens averaged nearly 20 points per game last season, a terrific bounce-back after suffering a foot injury that eliminated most of her 2023-24 season.
She’s moving from a Utah team that made the NCAA Tournament and lost in the first round to a UCLA team that reached the Final Four last month. She’ll fit right in as she’s a near-40% 3-point shooter.
With the Bruins, she’ll play alongside center Lauren Betts, guard Kiki Rice and incoming freshman Sienna Betts, the nation’s No. 2 prospect per espnW.
Kneepkens might just push them over the top.
Winners: West Virginia Women
Coach Mark Kellogg is still winning in the transfer portal. This time, it’s nabbing a Big 12 star.
This comes after getting forward Kierra Wheeler from Norfolk State, where she averaged 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. The Mountaineers also brought in another forward, Wisconsin’s Carter McCray, who averaged 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
But the Mountaineers needed some guard help with the departure of JJ Quinerly. Cooke should help.
Loser: Texas Tech Men
The former Texas Tech big man made his decision on his new school and decided to stay in-state.
So, the Red Raiders lost their depth behind JT Toppin. But, perhaps on the upside, Federiko gets more playing time.
I’ll be honest — I don’t see this being a step-up for him. Plus, with a new coaching staff under Bucky McMillan, there’s a lot of change to fit into.
Winners: Oklahoma State Women
Earlier this week ESPN did its own Top 10 teams in the transfer portal and the Oklahoma State women came in at No. 7.
ESPN highlighted what could a potential starting five for the Cowgirls next season — well, OK starting three. No one is displacing Stailee Heard or Micah Gray:
Faith Acker, Tarleton State, C
Achol Akot, UCF, F
Tyla Heard, Oral Roberts, G
Haleigh Timmer, South Dakota State, G
Amari Whiting, BYU, G
Plus, four of the five have multiple years of eligibility, giving head coach Jacie Hoyt a chance to build more continuity, considering Heard had two more years left herself.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
