The 2025 SEC basketball offseason has been nothing short of electric. With stars jumping teams and coaches retooling rosters, the transfer portal has once again become college basketball’s free agency frenzy. From Kentucky landing a 5-star big man to LSU finding its next floor general, here’s a ranking of each SEC team’s top transfer portal addition, from 1 to 16.
Let’s dive in.
🥇 1. Jayden Quaintance – Kentucky
From: Arizona State
Position: Center
Why He’s #1: A 5-star freak athlete and elite shot blocker, Jayden Quaintance headlines Kentucky’s transfer class. At just 17 when he came into college, he’s already built like an NBA big and fits Coach Mark Pope’s new physicality-first identity perfectly. Even coming off an injury, his upside is too massive to ignore.
🥈 2. Dedan Thomas Jr. – LSU
From: UNLV
Position: PG
Why He’s Here: LSU nabbed one of the portal’s biggest prizes in Dedan Thomas Jr., a savvy floor general who started every game as a freshman. He averaged 12.2 points and 5.2 assists and immediately gives the Tigers a top-tier SEC point guard.
🥉 3. Ja’Kobi Gillespie – Tennessee
From: Belmont
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: Hailing from Knoxville, Gillespie returns home after averaging 17.2 points at Belmont. He’s explosive, experienced, and could become a go-to scorer in Rick Barnes' system.
4. Keyshawn Hall – Auburn
From: UCF
Position: Forward
Why He’s Here: At 6’7” and 250 pounds, Hall is a matchup nightmare. He averaged 18.5 PPG and 7.1 RPG at UCF, and should give Auburn a much-needed scoring and rebounding punch.
5. Xaivian Lee – Florida
From: Princeton
Position: PG
Why He’s Here: The reigning national champions struck gold with Lee, an elite Ivy League scorer who will thrive under Todd Golden. He brings high IQ, shooting, and leadership.
6. Derrion Reid – Oklahoma
From: Alabama
Position: Wing
Why He’s Here: A McDonald’s All-American with two-way potential, Reid transfers after a quiet freshman year at Bama. Don’t be shocked if he turns into Oklahoma’s breakout star.
7. Dailyn Swain – Texas
From: Xavier
Position: SF
Why He’s Here: A do-it-all wing, Swain posted 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Texas fans will love his energy and length on both ends of the floor.
8. Frankie Collins – Vanderbilt
From: TCU
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: Vanderbilt badly needed leadership, and Collins provides just that. He’s played for multiple Power 6 programs and brings defense, maturity, and steadiness.
9. AJ Storr – Ole Miss
From: Kansas
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: One of the portal's most explosive scorers, Storr averaged 16.8 PPG for Wisconsin. If he buys in defensively, and gets back to his Wisconsin days, Ole Miss may have landed a top-5 SEC talent.
10. Jayden Epps – Mississippi State
From: Georgetown
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: A proven scorer, Epps dropped 18.5 PPG last season. His ability to create off the dribble will help the Bulldogs push the pace and space the floor.
11. Kanon Catchings – Georgia
From: BYU
Position: Forward
Why He’s Here: A former top-40 recruit, Catchings brings size (6’9”), shooting, and upside. Georgia gets a long-term building block who can also contribute now.
12. Taylor Bol Bowen – Alabama
From: Florida State
Position: SF
Why He’s Here: A modern stretch forward with upside, Bowen is a nice depth piece for the Tide’s rotation. His ceiling depends on his shooting consistency.
13. Rylan Griffen – Texas A&M
From: Kansas
Position: Guard/Wing
Why He’s Here: After a brief stint at Kansas, Griffen brings athleticism and experience back to the SEC. A&M fans should expect highlight-reel dunks and defensive hustle.
14. Malique Ewin – Arkansas
From: JUCO (Chipola College)
Position: Center
Why He’s Here: New Arkansas coach John Calipari is betting on Ewin’s size and potential. The 6’10” center is raw, but could blossom into a quality SEC big.
15. Sebastian Mack – Missouri
From: UCLA
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: Mack struggled with efficiency last year, but his athletic tools and defensive chops give Missouri a potential steal if he can improve his shooting.
16. Meechie Johnson Jr. – South Carolina
From: Ohio State
Position: Guard
Why He’s Here: A solid veteran presence, Johnson gives South Carolina backcourt depth. However, his streaky shooting limits his ceiling compared to others on this list.
🔄 Kentucky’s Transfer Strategy Is Changing the Game
Kentucky’s portal pull goes beyond just Jayden Quaintance. New coach Mark Pope is targeting two-way players and high-upside prospects, shifting from last years offensive focus.
Agree with out list? Disagree? Let us know.