Top Transfers Heating Up NCAA Portal: Freeman, Thomas Jr., and Agbim in High Demand

Despite the NCAA Tournament about to start, it hasn’t slowed the transfer portal from continuing to rev up even more quickly than usual.

A host of players entered their names quickly into the ever-evolving collegiate free agency pool as soon as postseason tournaments were wrapped up. We saw a handful of players from smaller programs leap into the mix with the aim to get a pay raise/bump in competition level.

We also saw some established players leave in search of a fresh start — whether than be due to a coaching change or another factor.

Regardless, here are three names already atop the list garnering heavy interest from big programs across the country.

Owen Freeman (Iowa)

Reports indicate that Freeman has widespread interest from some massive programs. Rumored to be chief among them include Michigan, Gonzaga, Arkansas, and Wisconsin (among others).

The soon-to-be junior has averaged double-figures in each of his two seasons in college. For a bad Iowa team this past year, Freeman put up 16.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 1.8 BPG on 63.8-percent from the field. Listed at 6’10”, one could envision a scenario where he returns as one of the better post scorers in the country next year. One would also believe he’ll be reenergized presumably playing for a better program — and one potentially with title aspirations.

Dedan Thomas Jr. (UNLV)

Dedan Thomas Jr. was a big recruit out of Las Vegas. He spurned offers from the likes of UCLA, Florida, and Arizona in order to stay home and play for the Running Rebels.

Also going to be a junior next year, the 3rd Team All Mountain West selection should have no shortage of options. He’s not the biggest point guard (listed at 6’1″). Having said that, he’s immensely crafty with the basketball. Thomas Jr. is excellent in playing the requisite angles when setting teammates up for good looks or attempting to get a shot for himself. He plays calmly, is above-average in not turning the rock over, and controls tempo quite well.

This past year, he averaged 15.6 PPG and 4.7 APG on 41.3-percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three. He averaged nearly 36 MPG — and there’s a case he wore down as the year progressed. With less minutes on the floor, Thomas Jr.’s shooting efficiency should improve.

Obi Agbim (Wyoming)

The Colorado native came out of nowhere to become the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year. Also a 3rd Team All-Conference member, Agbim played at Northeastern Junior College, Metro State, and Fort Lewis College before becoming a member of the Cowboys.

The 6’3″ guard pops off the screen whenever he’s playing. He’s got elite first-step quickness even for a high major school. Agbim isn’t bashful about taking players off the dribble and dunking on their heads. He’s demonstrated this prowess on more than one occasion.

When not attacking the paint, he’s scoring in a myriad of ways. Agbim averaged 17.6 PPG on 46.9-percent from the field and 43.7-percent from three (on an average of more than six attempts a game). Elite in both transition and as a catch-and-shoot player, it’s not shocking to hear Kentucky circling Agbim as a real option for next season.