Notable mid-major transfers in men's college basketball for 2026-27

The transfer portal has made it easier than ever for mid-major programs to add proven talent from the highest levels of college basketball. While the power conferences continue to dominate the portal, several mid-major teams landed experienced players who have already made an impact at the high-major level.

Here are some transfers who could make a major difference for their new teams in 2026-27.

Massamba Diop and Xaivian Lee — Gonzaga

Diop was one of the Big 12's most productive freshmen at Arizona State, averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while shooting 56.9% from the field. His 69 blocks ranked second in the conference, giving Gonzaga an established rim protector with plenty of upside.

Lee brings even more experience. He averaged 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds at Florida last season after previously becoming a two-time First Team All-Ivy League selection at Princeton. As a junior at Princeton, Lee averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He also received a temporary restraining order granting him a fifth season of eligibility, allowing Gonzaga to add a veteran point guard with extensive college experience.

Elijah Strong — Saint Louis

Strong gives Saint Louis another proven high-major frontcourt player after spending the past three seasons between Boston College and South Carolina.

He averaged 10.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists for South Carolina last season while shooting 44.4% from the field and 75.9% from the free-throw line. Strong's best performance came against LSU, when he scored a career-high 30 points.

Myles Che — Saint Mary's

Che gives Saint Mary's a potential impact addition after missing the entire 2025-26 season at UNLV because of a preseason injury.

Before the injury, Che was a key contributor at UC Irvine in 2024-25, starting all 38 games and averaging 12.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 42.9% from three. He earned All-Big West honorable mention recognition.

If Che can return to his pre-injury form, Saint Mary's could have another reliable perimeter scorer capable of making an immediate impact in the WCC.

Dylan Darling — Grand Canyon

Darling brings experience from both the high-major and mid-major levels to Grand Canyon.

He averaged 6.9 points and 2.6 assists in 35 games at St. John's last season, starting 15 games. But his previous season at Idaho State showed the offensive upside Grand Canyon is getting. Darling averaged 19.8 points per game in 2024-25 and was named the Big Sky Player of the Year.

A return to a larger offensive role could allow Darling to rediscover the production that made him one of the best players in the Big Sky.

AJ Storr — UNLV

Storr is arguably the biggest name on this list.

The former Wisconsin standout averaged 15.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists at Ole Miss last season. Before that, he averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds at Wisconsin in 2023-24 and earned All-Big Ten recognition.