Bidunga Blackwell lead $12M portal race
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- Flory Bidunga entered the transfer portal after a sophomore season at Kansas in which he averaged 13.3 points, nine rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, drawing interest as a high-upside defensive big.
- John Blackwell entered the portal after averaging a career-high 19.1 points and scoring 30+ points twice in the Big Ten Tournament, testing NBA Draft waters while maintaining eligibility.
- Juke Harris improved to 21.4 points per game at Wake Forest, becoming the ACC’s most improved player and a sought-after combo guard with perimeter scoring ability.
- Paulius Murauskas re-entered the portal after two seasons at Saint Mary’s, where he developed into a physical, low-post presence with rebounding and finishing skills.
- Miles Byrd transferred from San Diego State after averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals, offering defensive length and two-way potential to top-25 programs.
- CBS Sports insiders report that $12 million is now the benchmark investment level for a top-25 college basketball roster, shaping how schools pursue portal talent.
Why it matters: With $12 million now the estimated cost to field a top-25 roster, high-impact transfers like Bidunga and Blackwell become pivotal assets—programs with deeper pockets gain leverage, while mid-tier schools risk falling behind in an increasingly monetized recruiting landscape.
