Grading Arizona State's Transfer Portal Haul

Arizona State on SI breaks down different aspects of a class that is largely complete below.

Roster Reload Focused on Balance

The Sun Devil way has changed drastically under Bennett compared to what was seen previously, but the general principle of emphasizing balance hasn't been abandoned.

Arizona State has added one point guard, three wings/guards, a definitive forward, and two centers to this point - each of which will serve a purpose in the next season and beyond. There's a strong blend of height, athleticism, shooting ability, and individual defensive upside that will play directly into the program's culture moving forward.

High-End Talent

Arizona State has added four of the top 150 players in the portal, according to On3, which makes the Sun Devils one of the most improved rosters on paper in the Big 12.

The group is headlined by Paulius Murauskas (top 10 player in the portal), as well as the other three 4-star players mentioned above in Joel Foxwell, Dillan Shaw, and Ben Defty. Foxwell is a gritty point guard who brings a well-rounded skill set to the game and has at least three remaining seasons of eligibility. Shaw is a high-upside two-way wing that has the ability to raise the ceiling of the 2026-27 team, while Defty is a quality replacement for Massamba Diop.

The injection of all-conference talent raises the bar substantially compared to the perception of the roster that was built last season.

Overall Grade: A

Ultimately, Bennett attacked the portal in a way that he has perfected - the Sun Devils are set to be a connected, disciplined team that will thrive when creating chaos on the defensive side of the ball and will typically maximize offensive possessions. The 2026-27 team is set to perhaps end up being the most talented that Bennett has ever rostered from top to bottom in his time as a head coach.