College Basketball D2 Transfer Study

Last summer we identified some of the top D2 transfers moving up to D1 during the 2022 portal cycle. In the past, we have studied some of the successful division movements among players to try to gain a better understanding and learn for our transfer rankings. There have been many examples like Ryan Hawkins (D2), Duncan Robinson (D3), Max Strus (D2), and Derrick White (D2) that have successfully made the move.

There have also been some pretty accomplished D2 players like Bryan Griffin, Robbie Heath, Dale Bonner, and Cam Martin who failed to make a major impact. In a couple of cases, they transferred to a level too high in talent and couldn’t get on the court. One example like Qua Grant struggled at Wichita State but transferred again to Sam Houston State and lead a very good them there to the NIT. Situations still matter. JT Shumate at Toledo is another example of a recent still-active D2 success story.  

There is a level of variance in trying to rank players moving up from division to division that seems greater than that from even low major conferences to the P5. I think overall in general if you shoot or rebound well those seem to translate the best and as more have moved up D1 coaches are getting better at identifying the more capable players.

In recent years the number of non-D1 players, especially All-American players, have started taking the opportunity to move up. It’s skyrocketed. Just this past season College of Charleston built much of their 31-4 success t on 3 former D2 All-American players in Dalton Bolon, Ante Brzovic, and Pat Robinson. They also had an NAIA All-American as well. All three were double-digit scorers.

Results.

It all seems to come down to transferring up to the appropriate level. Hopefully, this gives us a continued better understanding of how to rank D2 transfers in the future.