Top 5 college basketball teams hit hardest by departures in 2024 transfer window ft. Kentucky
Over 2,000 players made the decision to enter their names into the 2024 college basketball transfer portal during the 45-day window. Several teams had their entire roster depleted following coaching changes.
Here's a look at the five teams who were hit the hardest by departures.
Top 5 college basketball teams hit hardest by departures in 2024 transfer window
#1: Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats will be without John Calipari for the first time since the 2008-09 season, as the head coach left the program to join the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Following his departure, the team has faced a mass exodus of talent. DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, Ugonna Onyenso, Jordan Burks, and Joey Hart have all entered the transfer portal.
#2: Washington State Cougars
The Washington State Cougars reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007-08. They were also able to finish with their best record since that season.
Following the year, however, they lost head coach Kyle Smith to the Stanford Cardinal. What followed was 12 players — Myles Rice, Jaylen Wells, Andrej Jakimovski, Oscar Cluff, Joseph Yesufu, Rueben Chinyelu, Kymany Houinsou, Jabe Mullins, AJ Rohosy, Dylan Darling, AJ LaBeau, and Dylan Darling — entering the transfer portal.
#3: Arkansas Razorbacks
The Arkansas Razorbacks lost Eric Musselman to the USC Trojans. However, they made arguably the biggest move of the offseason by hiring John Calipari. They have lost much of their lineup to the transfer portal, including Tramon Mark, Khalif Battle, Trevon Brazile, Keyon Menifield, Davonte Davis, Layden Blocker, Joseph Pinion, Baye Fall, and Denijay Harris.
#4: Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals lost more players — 13 — to the transfer portal than any other team after firing head coach Kenny Payne. Skyy Clark, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Michael James, Tre White, JJ Traynor, Ty-Laur Johnson, Curtis Williams, Kaleb Glenn, Emmanuel Okorafor, Dennis Evans, Danilo Jovanovich, Hercy Miller, and Koron Davis have all departed from the program.
#5: Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are the only team to make the list that will not have a new head coach on the sideline next season as Leonard Hamilton, who will turn 76 this summer, will return for his 23rd season to lead the program. However, that did not stop nine players — Jamir Watkins, Primo Spears, Cameron Corhen, Baba Miller, Jalen Warley, Cam'Ron Fletcher, De'Ante Green, Tom House, and Waka Mbatch — from opting to enter the transfer portal.