In December 2023, a multi-state lawsuit, backed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), challenged the NCAA’s multi-transfer rule’s waiver process as a violation of federal antitrust law.
This legal challenge has already forced the NCAA to further relax transfer restrictions, sparking a wave of player movement unimaginable just months prior.
Suddenly, the winds of change ushered in by this legal dispute brought newfound freedom for student-athletes, making the once-improbable scenario of collegiate stars switching teams multiple times a tangible reality.
In 2021, the transfer landscape shifted as the governing body allowed one penalty-free transfer, replacing the previous norm of a mandatory sit-out year. However, securing immediate eligibility for subsequent transfers became more challenging with stricter regulations implemented in January 2023.
Due to these changes, the upcoming 2024-25 season is primed for significant transformation. A diverse and talented group of Canadian transfers, including elite scorers, lockdown defenders, versatile big men, and sharpshooting wings, have the potential to leave a lasting impact on their new teams.
Vasean Allette: Top Canadian NCAA transfer portal target
Entering the 2023-24 NCAA basketball season, Vasean Allette carried high expectations, and rightfully so. A gifted scorer and strong individual defender, coupled with self-assured confidence, he checked most of the boxes at the high school, prep, and FIBA levels.
Demonstrating all the right intangibles to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level, Allette wasted no time in proving his worth. Remarkably, he needed just three college games to find his rhythm and catapult his name into the conversation as one of the best freshmen in the country.
Throughout the season, Allette’s popularity soared alongside his impressive scoring outputs. Despite only playing 19 games, before being dismissed from the team, he finished as Old Dominion’s third-leading scorer with 331 total points. Averaging 17.4 points, 5.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in 33 minutes, Allette showcased his versatility and impact on the court.
Prior to his commitment to ODU, Allette garnered interest from a host of prestigious programs, including Georgia Tech, DePaul, Boston College, St. John’s, Arizona State, and Washington State. His talent and potential were widely recognized, further solidifying his status as a highly sought-after prospect in collegiate basketball.
Frank Mitchell: The emergence of “Baby Shaq”
Frank Mitchell’s story is one of perseverance and a testament to the burgeoning talent pool in Canadian basketball.
After dominating the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) with Humber College, he earned the nickname “Baby Shaq” by leading them to a double championship sweep – both provincial and national. Mitchell then took a bold step by venturing into the bright lights of NCAA Division I basketball.
While a transfer rule forced him to sit out his sophomore year, Mitchell wasted no time making his presence felt upon joining the Canisius Golden Griffins. He showcased his versatility, averaging a double-double with 12.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
His dominance on the boards earned him recognition as the second-best Canadian rebounder in the country, and the fourth-best in the nation, behind Enrique Freeman (12.9), Zach Edey (12.1), and Vonterius Woolbright (12.0).
Mitchell’s contributions did not go unnoticed, as he earned a spot on the All-MAAC second team for the 2023-24 season. His ability to dominate the glass and provide a strong interior presence makes him a valuable asset for any program seeking to bolster their frontcourt.
Nana Owusu-Anane: Blossoming Canadian star
Nana Owusu-Anane, a six-foot-eight, 220-pound forward, emerged as a star during his junior year at Brown University. He was a major part of Brown’s resurgence during the second half of the season.
The Bears won seven straight games after starting the season with a 6-17 record and came within one second of securing their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1986.
Owusu-Anane started all 31 games for the Bears, averaging a career-high of 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 block per game this season, while playing an average of 32.5 minutes per game.
Beyond his traditional contributions, he displayed growth by extending his range, knocking down 22-of-71 three-point attempts. This marked a significant improvement from previous seasons, where he had only made seven on 36 attempts in both his freshman and sophomore years.
As co-captain, he recorded eleven double-doubles, solidifying himself as a versatile and impactful player, and earning second team All-Ivy honours in the 2023-2024 season.
Hasan Abdul-Hakim: Flying under the radar
The 2023-24 season saw a breakout performance from an unexpected source: University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley’s junior guard, Hasan Abdul-Hakim. The six-foot-eight Canadian emerged as a versatile threat, surprising many after flying under the radar due to the pandemic.
As one of nine Canadians who leveraged the transfer portal to make the leap from junior college to the NCAA, Abdul-Hakim made a significant contribution to head coach Matt Figger’s team. He ended the season as the second-highest scorer with 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals per game in 29 minutes per game for the Vaqueros.
He was also efficient on the offensive end, shooting nearly 50% from the field, a respectable 35.6% from three-pointers, and a solid 63.5% from the free-throw line.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury sidelined him for 12 games. He scored in double figures in 13 of his 19 games, including a stretch of three straight with 20+ points against NCAA tournament-bound Grand Canyon, as well as competitive programs from Tarleton State and Arkansas State.
Miguel Tomley: Canadian grad transfer on the move
One of the best hidden gems in mid-majors, Miguel Tomley wrapped up an excellent junior season on a hot streak, scoring four of his six 20-point games of the season in the last seven games. He led the Idaho State Bengals to their first semi-finals appearance in the Big Sky Tournament since 2009.
Tomley finished second on the team in scoring with 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 31 minutes. He shot 42.5% from the field, 38.3% from three-point range, and 77.9% from the free throw line.
The six-foot-three-guard from Surrey, British Columbia sank a career-best 85 three-pointers, the most by a Canadian this year. In the process, he surpassed Tim Erickson’s record of 82 in the 2000-01 season, setting the all-time single-season record for three-pointers in Idaho State history.
After fielding interest from multiple schools, Tomley decided to stay in the Big West conference by committing to head coach Eric Duft and the Weber State Wildcats.
Elijah Fisher: A tale of unrealized potential
Elijah Fisher’s journey through college basketball thus far reads like a narrative of unfulfilled promise and missed opportunities. Once hailed as a can’t-miss prospect and a potential future star for Canada, Fisher’s path has been marred by setbacks and struggles to live up to sky-high expectations.
Fisher burst onto the scene as a top-five recruit according to recruiting services in his high school class, attracting national attention and earning scholarship offers from elite programs across the country.
His freshman year at Texas Tech proved to be a challenging adjustment as he found himself playing a limited role of 12 minutes per game for an underachieving team, under a coach who was ultimately dismissed.
Seeking a fresh start, Fisher transferred to DePaul. Unfortunately, the situation there wasn’t much better. The Blue Demons finished with a dismal 3-29 record (0-20 in the Big East), and Fisher’s individual production remained relatively inconsistent.
Limited to scoring inside in half-court sets and fast breaks, Fisher averaged a respectable 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with shooting percentages of 52.0% (119-229) from the field, 26.3% (10-38) from three-point range, and much improved 72.2% (78-108) from the free-throw line.
Now, entering the transfer portal for the second time, the question surrounding Fisher is clear: can he find a program willing to invest in his raw talent and help him develop some of his glaring inefficiencies and turn him into the star he was once projected to be?
Scouts acknowledge his explosive offensive potential, particularly in attacking closeouts and using his strength to create scoring opportunities. However, his inability to consistently create his own shot off the dribble, reluctance to use his left hand, and high turnover ratio (58 assists, 65 turnovers in 60 games) raise concerns.
A deeper look: More Canadians on the move
Beyond the six players highlighted above, the 2024 transfer portal is brimming with other intriguing Canadian basketball prospects. Here are a few more names to keep an eye on:
Kobe Elvis: a dependable all-around guard who is coming off his best season and NCAA tournament appearance with the Dayton Flyers. As a junior, the six-foot-three Canadian point guard averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 33 games for the Flyers. Throughout his career, Elvis has accumulated 871 points, 221 rebounds, and 290 assists in 105 games.
Dominic Parolin: A graduate student with a high basketball IQ, excelling both in the classroom and on the court. The versatile six-foot-nine forward averaged 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 28 games for Lehigh. He scored a career-high 33 points against Lafayette and demonstrated an expanded range to the three-point line during his senior season, making 26 of 79 attempts.
Markus Harding: A high-motor six-foot-ten forward with a knack for rebounding and hustle plays, averaged 10.2 points, 5.2 points, 1.5 assists in 22 games. Harding is looking for a program that can utilize his energy and athleticism.
Brayden O’Connor: Scored in double figures in 18 of UMass Lowell’s 32 games. A versatile wing and effiecient shooter (42.4% gield goal, 35.4% three-pointers), O’Connor also had back-to-back 20+ point games against New Hampshire and NJIT.
Enoch Boakye: Seeking bigger opportunities after two bench-saddled years at Arizona State, Boakye transferred to Fresno State. He averaged 7.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game during his breakout junior year.
Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro: A dynamic point guard with a knack for scoring and facilitating, De La Cruz Monegro averaged 8.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game in his previous season at Western Michigan.
DJ Jackson: Six-foot-four scoring guard with a well-rounded skillset, Jackson averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Knocked down 100-of-223 (44.8%) shots during his sophomore season.
Josh Morgan: One of the more consistent Canadian guards players over the last four years. After 105 games played, 889 points scored (8.5 PPG, 38.5% FG, 37.5% 3PT) and a Criminal Justice major at Incarnate World, Morgan is ready to close out his NCAA career in a winning way.
Aden Holloway: Former five-star recruit and 2023 McDonald’s High School All-American, made a solid impact during his freshman season with the Auburn Tigers. The six-foot-one guard contributed to Auburn’s SEC championship with averages of 7.3 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
Michael Nwoko: A highly touted freshman recruit known for his dominance in the paint and developing mid-range game. Failed to crack the rotation under Jim Larrañaga and the Miami Hurricanes. Nwoko averaged 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in just 8.9 minutes, shooting 55.9% when given the opportunity.
Josh Omojafo: A former 2021-22 Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) third-team all-star. Omojafo has spent the past two seasons developing his game at the NCAA DII level, playing at Gannon University. As a sophomore, the six-foot-five guard scored 699 points— the second-highest in Gannon history— averaging 20 points per game and was named to the 2023-24 NABC Division II All-America Team.
2024 Canadian NCAA basketball transfer portal tracker (subscribers only)
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