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Alabama Basketball Eyes Transfer Portal: Key Players Seeking New Programs, Including Crimson Tide's Aidan Sherrell
National Desk
April 15, 2026
Why it matters locally: The opening of the NCAA transfer portal directly impacts Alabama basketball programs, most notably the University of Alabama. The movement of players in and out of the portal can significantly alter team dynamics, roster strength, and competitive prospects. Alabamians care because college sports, particularly basketball, are a major source of pride and economic activity for the state. A strong basketball program can boost university enrollment, local businesses, and overall community morale. The transfer portal allows Alabama coaches to potentially recruit high-impact players to address specific team needs, but also increases the risk of losing existing talent to other schools.
The NCAA transfer portal opened April 7, marking the beginning of the offseason for college basketball players seeking to change programs. Players have until April 21 to submit their entry into the portal. According to On3 Industry Rankings, several notable players have already entered the portal. Here's a look at some of the top athletes seeking new programs: * Massamba Diop, Center: The 7-foot-1 center, formerly of Arizona State, averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 33 starts during his freshman year. Diop has attached a do-not-contact tag to his entry. * Juke Harris, Shooting Guard: The 6-foot-7 guard from Wake Forest averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Harris earned All-ACC honors and was named the ACC's Most Improved Player. He also declared for the NBA draft while keeping his collegiate options open. * Milan Momcilovic, Power Forward: Momcilovic, previously with Iowa State, averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 48.7% from beyond the arc. He is also testing the NBA Draft process. * John Blackwell, Shooting Guard: The 6-foot-4 guard from Wisconsin averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Blackwell previously earned All-Freshman and All-Big Ten honors. He also seeks NBA opportunities. * Rob Wright, Point Guard: Wright, who previously transferred from Baylor to BYU, averaged 18.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. The 6-foot-1 guard earned All-Conference honors after playing alongside a top NBA prospect. * Paulius Murauskas, Power Forward: The 6-foot-8 forward from St. Mary’s averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He shot 33.3% from the 3-point line. Murauskas is a two-time All-WCC selection. St. Mary's former coach, Randy Bennett, left the program to coach at Arizona State. * Allen Graves, Power Forward: The 6-foot-9 forward from Santa Clara averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He shot 41.3% from 3-point range. Like others on the list, he has also entered the NBA Draft. * Moustapha Thiam, Center: The 7-foot-1 center, formerly of Cincinnati after transferring from UCF, averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds. He also recorded 1.6 blocks per game. * Aidan Sherrell, Center: The 6-foot-11 big man from Alabama averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. He shot 33.8% from beyond the 3-point line. * Neoklis Avdalas, Combined Guard: The 6-foot-7 guard from Virginia Tech averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He withdrew from the NBA draft process before joining college basketball last season.
The NCAA transfer portal opened April 7, marking the beginning of the offseason for college basketball players seeking to change programs. Players have until April 21 to submit their entry into the portal. According to On3 Industry Rankings, several notable players have already entered the portal. Here's a look at some of the top athletes seeking new programs: * Massamba Diop, Center: The 7-foot-1 center, formerly of Arizona State, averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 33 starts during his freshman year. Diop has attached a do-not-contact tag to his entry. * Juke Harris, Shooting Guard: The 6-foot-7 guard from Wake Forest averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Harris earned All-ACC honors and was named the ACC's Most Improved Player. He also declared for the NBA draft while keeping his collegiate options open. * Milan Momcilovic, Power Forward: Momcilovic, previously with Iowa State, averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 48.7% from beyond the arc. He is also testing the NBA Draft process. * John Blackwell, Shooting Guard: The 6-foot-4 guard from Wisconsin averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Blackwell previously earned All-Freshman and All-Big Ten honors. He also seeks NBA opportunities. * Rob Wright, Point Guard: Wright, who previously transferred from Baylor to BYU, averaged 18.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. The 6-foot-1 guard earned All-Conference honors after playing alongside a top NBA prospect. * Paulius Murauskas, Power Forward: The 6-foot-8 forward from St. Mary’s averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He shot 33.3% from the 3-point line. Murauskas is a two-time All-WCC selection. St. Mary's former coach, Randy Bennett, left the program to coach at Arizona State. * Allen Graves, Power Forward: The 6-foot-9 forward from Santa Clara averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He shot 41.3% from 3-point range. Like others on the list, he has also entered the NBA Draft. * Moustapha Thiam, Center: The 7-foot-1 center, formerly of Cincinnati after transferring from UCF, averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds. He also recorded 1.6 blocks per game. * Aidan Sherrell, Center: The 6-foot-11 big man from Alabama averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. He shot 33.8% from beyond the 3-point line. * Neoklis Avdalas, Combined Guard: The 6-foot-7 guard from Virginia Tech averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He withdrew from the NBA draft process before joining college basketball last season.
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