Nearly all college basketball coaches are fascinated with the transfer portal, looking to add impacts from players who have proven to be high caliber producers elsewhere. However, the transition from school to school isn’t always as smooth as it would seem. These 32 players didn’t see huge roles last year, but all stuck around and are seeing their patience pay off.

America East- Peter Filipovity (Maine)

Peter Filipovity was a solid player last year for Maine, and hasn’t seen quite the statistical jump of other players on the list. However, he’s been much more effective and efficient. Filipovity is shooting the ball over 10% better, and leads the America East in a handful of advanced stat categories, including win shares and player efficiency rating.

American- Vlad Goldin (FAU)

Florida Atlantic big man Vlad Goldin is another player who was productive last year, even being named to the All-Conference team. While he hasn’t seen a drastic increase in minutes, Goldin has become a more effective player all around the court, including leading the country in field goal percentage. The Owls are in a good position to make another tournament run, and the development of Goldin is a big part of that.

A-10- Zeb Jackson (VCU)

When Ryan Odom took the VCU job this offseason, there were very few holdovers. However, one of them was Zeb Jackson. Jackson has emerged from a rotational bench player to the go-to guy, and he’s also been an elite facilitator. Despite the new look, the Rams are still thick in the mix of the A-10 contenders, largely due to Jackson’s breakout.

ACC- Ryan Dunn (Virginia)

Ryan Dunn’s breakout isn’t too much of a shock, as he was one of the more popular breakout picks preseason. That said, he’s still likely been better than most predicted, especially on defense. Dunn does everything on that end, averaging over two blocks and two steals per game, looking like the early favorite for national Defensive Player of the Year.

ASUN- Simeon Cottle (Kennesaw State)

Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim left over the offseason, but the Owls still had a pretty solid foundation. However, the breakout of Simeon Cottle was relatively unexpected. Cottle was a reserve player last year but has blossomed out into a star this year, averaging nearly 17 points per game on efficient scoring. Cottle will try and get the Owls to March Madness for a second straight year.

Big 12- Cam Carter (Kansas State)

Kansas State hasn’t gotten off to an ideal start, but guard Cam Carter, in his second year in the program, is making his name known. Carter started every game last year, but overall wasn’t a big piece of the offense. This season, Carter has asserted himself as a top option, increasing his points per game by 10, and doubling his assists. He’s also arguably the best Wildcat defensively.

Big East- Desmond Claude (Xavier)

Desmond Claude is another player who was involved in breakout talks during the offseason, and he’s stepped up on a shorthanded Xavier team. Claude has hit double figures every game this season, and has also shown some passing abilities, ranking second on the team with 3.8 assists per game. The Musketeers have had some ups and downs this season, but Claude’s play has been very consistent.

Big Sky- Laolu Oke (Montana)

Division II transfer Laolu Oke saw limited minutes in year one at Montana, but he’s been one of the best players on the Grizzlies in year two. He’s been extremely efficient, possessing the highest offensive rating and player efficiency rating in the Big Sky. Oke still isn’t a super high usage player, but his contributions have the Grizzlies looking like a serious threat to Weber State in the conference.

Big South- R.J. Johnson (Charleston Southern)

Charleston Southern hasn’t had an amazing start to the season, but guard R.J. Johnson has been very impressive in his second year with the program. He’s currently averaging 17 points per game on increased efficiency from last year. Johnson has scored in double figures every game but one this season, including four performances of over 20 points.

Big Ten- Kanye Clary (Penn State)

Penn State was another team left with very few holdovers following a coaching change, but one of them was Kanye Clary. Clary didn’t have a huge impact as a freshman, averaging under four points per game in 10 minutes. This year, Clary has asserted himself as the best player on the team, averaging over 17 points per game on efficient scoring while also showing playmaking flashes.

Big West- Justin Hohn (UC Irvine)

After UC Irvine lost their top few scorers to the high major level, they needed someone to step up to stay competitive, and that guy has been Justin Hohn. Hohn is leading the team in scoring and doing so efficiently, including a 40% mark from 3-point range. In the Anteaters win at USC earlier this season, Hohn led all scorers with 25 points.

CAA- Darlinstone Dubar (Hofstra)

Darlinstone Dubar was a solid starting option for Hofstra last year, although this year he’s really expanded his game. Dubar has scored in double digits every game, with a season high of 30 coming against Buffalo. The Pride are once again one of the top teams in the CAA, and Dubar’s ascension from a solid starter into a go-to option is a big part of that.

Conference USA- Zach Cleveland (Liberty)

Even with the loss of some high level players, Liberty has been successful this season, thanks in part to sophomore big man Zach Cleveland. Cleveland saw some playing time as a freshman, but he’s started every game as a sophomore. He’s been a very efficient scorer, while also ranking second on the team in both rebounds and assists. Cleveland has also made his mark on the defensive end, being Liberty’s best player there.

Horizon- Anthony Roberts (Purdue Fort Wayne)

Purdue Fort Wayne has 11 wins on the season already, a large part of that due to Anthony Roberts. Roberts saw some solid playing time last year off the bench, but this year has started every game, averaging over 30 minutes. He’s impactful on both ends, scoring in double figures every game but one, and being one of the best mid-major defensive players in the country.

Ivy- Xaivian Lee (Princeton)

Despite losing a significant chunk of pieces this offseason, Princeton has picked up right where they left off, ranking as a top 20 team in the NET. Sophomore point guard Xaivian Lee has been a major part of that. The most points Lee had in a game last year was 12, and this year he’s averaging over 18. He’s doing so very efficiently, while also being the floor general for one of the sport’s elite offenses.

MAAC- Siem Uijtendaal (Canisius)

Canisius wing Siem Uijtendaal played around 12 minutes per game each of his first three seasons, but in his fourth he’s established himself as the team’s best player. Uijtendaal is averaging over 15 points per game on very efficient scoring, including over 41% from three point range. Besides his first game, Uijtendaal has been in double figures and played 30 plus minutes every game this season.

MAC- Basheer Jihad (Ball State)

Ball State lost three players to the high major level in the offseason. Junior forward Basheer Jihad has stepped up to fill the space. Jihad has increased his points per game by over 11, while also seeing a significant increase in his efficiency numbers. He’s also been a solid rebounder. Early in the season, Jihad already has three games of 25 points or more.

MEAC- Ja’Darius Harris (NC Central)

NC Central was another team looking to replace lots of lost production, and one player that has helped that is guard Ja’Darius Harris. Harris has taken on some of the scoring load, having nine double digit scoring games this season, compared to seven in his previous two years with the program. He’s been solid on both ends, and has helped the Eagles to once again be one of the top MEAC teams.

Missouri Valley- Xavier Johnson (Southern Illinois)

After seeing a scoring jump of nearly 18 points, Xavier Johnson is probably the national breakout player of the year. Southern Illinois seemed like they were missing offensive options after losing Marcus Domask and Lance Jones to the Big Ten, but Johnson has more than stepped up, now leading the nation in scoring with 24.8 points per game. He’s also been an effective passer, with a top 15 assist rate nationally.

Mountain West- Jaedon LeDee (San Diego State)

San Diego State was another team with questions of who would take the next step this season. Many thought LeDee would be the guy, but he’s still surpassed all expectations, playing at an All-American level. He’s averaging over 22 points per game on very efficient scoring to go along with nearly 10 rebounds per game. His best performance of the season was a 34 point, 17 rebound game against Washington.

NEC- Jordan Derkack (Merrimack)

Jordan Derkack was one of the best freshmen in the NEC, and this year has elevated into the best player of the best team in the conference. Derkack is averaging 17 points per game, and his biggest scoring output came against UMass Lowell, where he scored 33 points to lead Merrimack to the upset. The Warriors are tournament eligible this year, and Derkack has a good chance to lead them there.

Ohio Valley- Jeremiah Hernandez (Southern Indiana)

Southern Indiana lost lots of production from last season, and a player that has stepped up with the losses is Jeremiah Hernandez. He’s been a steady scoring option this year, averaging over 12 points and scoring nine or more his last ten games. The Screaming Eagles haven’t had the best start to the season, but led by Hernandez, they’ll have lots of opportunities for conference wins.

Pac-12- Kylan Boswell (Arizona)

Kylan Boswell was another universal breakout candidate this offseason, but it’s still extremely impressive how he’s been able to lead the Wildcats to one of the top teams nationally. He’s started every game this season, and has been a very efficient scorer, with a true shooting percentage north of 62%. He’s also been a high level passer, and should lead the Wildcats to a runaway conference championship in the last year of the Pac-12.

Patriot- Bube Momah (Lehigh)

Lehigh forward Bube Momah hardly played last season, but this year has started every game. Momah has been an efficient scorer offensively, and from the free throw line. He’s also shown some rim protecting abilities, with a 5.5% block rate. Momah’s best game on that end was five blocks against Monmouth. Only being a sophomore, Momah is looking like a big piece of Lehigh’s future.

SEC- Sean East II (Missouri)

Missouri hasn’t gotten off to the best start this season, but they’ve seen a huge breakout from point guard Sean East II. In his second year with the Tigers, East is having by far his most efficient season scoring, while still being a good facilitator. He’s averaging 17.1 points per game, 9.8 more than the 7.3 he averaged last season. If Missouri is able to turn things around in SEC play, East will likely be the catalyst.

SoCon- AJ Smith (The Citadel)

The Citadel has outpaced their preseason expectations, and a large part of that is due to sophomore wing AJ Smith. Smith has been a go to scorer, while doing so very efficiently. His best performance of the season came in a win against North Carolina A&T, where he scored 34 points. Smith has scored double figures in every game against Division I competition.

Southland- Jalen White (Nicholls)

Nicholls has been the best Southland team not named McNeese, and Jalen White has been a significant part of that. He’s a low usage player, mostly being used as a shooter, where he’s been outstanding, shooting over 48% on the year. White has made a three pointer in every game, and has four games where he’s made five, including in a win over LSU.

SWAC- Ken Evans (Jackson State)

Ken Evans was one of Jackson State’s best players last year, but this year he’s established himself as the star of the team. He’s having his best year efficiency wise, and has shown the ability to have huge games, with over 30 points against Arkansas State and Loyola Marymount. Heading into SWAC play, the Tigers are a major contender to win the conference, largely due to Evans.

Sun Belt- Kobe Julien (Lousiana)

Kobe Julien was breaking out in the 2022 season, but got injured and was essentially a non-factor last year. Now that he’s fully healthy, he’s way better than he ever was before. Julien is averaging over 19 points per game on high efficiency. Julien has scored in double digits every game this year, and if he stays healthy will be in contention to win Sun Belt player of the year.

Summit- Drake Dobbs (St. Thomas)

Still early in their Division I tenure, St. Thomas is looking like one of the best teams in the Summit, and the emergence of Drake Dobbs as their point guard has been a main reason why. Dobbs isn’t putting up crazy statistical numbers, but has increased his points per game by over seven, and has been extremely efficient offensively. He’s also averaging 2.9 assists per game with only 0.7 turnovers.

WCC- Marcus Williams (San Francisco)

Marcus Williams has been a productive college basketball player for years, but is taking another step up in his second year at San Francisco. Williams has been the go-to offensive option for the Dons, while also showing solid passing skills. He’s seen an eight point increase from last year, and has had seven games scoring 15 points or more.

WAC- Jakorie Smith (Tarleton State)

Tarleton State forward Jakorie Smith was a solid player in year one with the team, and in year two has taken a scoring jump. Smith is leading Tarleton State in scoring, with 15 points per game. He’s also seen an impact on the defensive end, being one of the premier defensive players in the conference. Smith has had two huge scoring games this season, with 34 points against FIU and 28 points against Austin Peay.