The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament laid bare the full impact of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, marking yet another turning point in the ever-evolving collegiate landscape.
The ability for players to transfer an unlimited number of times, coupled with lucrative NIL incentives, has shifted the balance of power, favoring programs with deep pockets and high-profile sponsorship deals.
This season, parity—a concept once envisioned as the great equalizer in college basketball—feels more elusive than ever. Cinderella stories were scarce, blowouts became routine, and mid-major programs struggled to keep pace as their best talents were poached by high-major schools.
The idea that the transfer portal would level the playing field has instead widened the gap, transforming NCAA basketball into a transactional arms race where talent follows money.
Compounding these changes is the landmark Diego Pavia case, which has further altered the recruitment landscape. A legal victory for Pavia has resulted in a waiver allowing National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and non-NCAA athletes to gain an extra year of eligibility.
This means some players could now have the chance to compete in college basketball for six or even seven seasons—an unprecedented shift that could see veteran players with years of experience dominating younger, traditional recruits.
The case, rooted in antitrust arguments, challenged the NCAA’s restrictions on counting JUCO years against a player’s overall eligibility, arguing that such limitations hinder an athlete’s ability to profit from their NIL.
The ruling has sent shockwaves through college basketball, particularly for Canadian players, many of whom take the junior college route before making the leap to Division I.
Where are Canadian’s transferring from?
Where are Canadian’s transferring to?
The implications are immediate. More than 20 Canadian seniors from the 2024–25 season will now have the option to extend their careers, and NCAA programs are already adjusting their recruiting strategies to target JUCO standouts and U SPORTS athletes north of the border.
The transfer portal, once seen as a tool for redistributing talent, has instead become a marketplace where the best players seek better deals, bigger roles, and a clearer path to the pros.
As we look toward the 2025-26 season, several Canadian standouts have already entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities with extended eligibility or more lucrative NIL deals.
These players represent a growing contingent of Canadian talent making waves in NCAA basketball, many of whom are positioned to capitalize on this evolving system.
From established performers seeking better visibility to underappreciated gems ready for bigger stages, the Canadian presence in the transfer portal reflects both the challenges and opportunities of modern college basketball.
Let’s examine some of the most notable Canadian names currently exploring their options.
Bubu Benjamin – Tarleton State
🔹 Projected to be highly sought after by high-major programs
Bubu Benjamin made one of the most significant leaps of any Canadian in NCAA Division I basketball this season. After averaging just 2.8 points per game in limited minutes as a freshman, the six-foot-seven, 205-pound guard from Medicine Hat, Alberta, emerged as a key player for Tarleton State.
A high-level, spot-up catch-and-shoot guard, he led the WAC in total minutes played and finished as Tarleton’s leading scorer, averaging 13.9 points per game while also contributing 4.1 rebounds per game.
Benjamin scored in double figures 24 times, including a career-high 29 points in a non-conference matchup. He proved he could compete against top-tier competition, posting strong performances against Michigan (15 points), Florida State (11), SMU (21), and Baylor (9). Despite Tarleton State finishing the season with a 12-20 record, Benjamin’s breakout campaign has put him firmly on the radar of major programs looking for a battle-tested guard with size and scoring ability.
Hasan Abdul Hakim – UT Rio Grande Valley
🔹 Entering his sixth season of collegiate basketball
A six-foot-nine, 206-pound forward from Mississauga, Hasan Abdul Hakim has had a long and winding college career. After spending three seasons at the JUCO level, he transferred to UT Rio Grande Valley, where he played two seasons under head coach Kahil Fennell. Last year, he entered the transfer portal but ultimately chose to return for one more season in Edinburg, Texas.
Abdul Hakim averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 31 appearances. However, injuries have plagued his career—he played just 12 games this past season and only 19 the year before. When healthy, he is a versatile contributor who can impact multiple facets of the game.
His best performance came against Creighton, where he recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. He notched four 20+ point outings in 2024–25, showcasing his offensive upside. With his size, passing ability, and scoring touch, Abdul Hakim could attract interest from programs willing to take a chance on an experienced but injury-prone veteran.
Tyson Dunn – Buffalo Bulls
🔹 Benefiting from recent NCAA rule changes to gain an extra year of eligibility
Tyson Dunn is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new NCAA eligibility rules. After playing three seasons at Western University in Canada’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, he transferred to Buffalo for the 2024–25 season. Under normal circumstances, this would have been his final year of college basketball, but with the NCAA’s recent waiver, Dunn is now eligible to compete for another season.
A crafty left-handed player, Dunn is a high-assist, high-turnover point guard who finished the year leading all Canadians with 122 turnovers and ranking third in assists behind Ryan Nembhard and Naithan George. He averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while starting every game for Buffalo.
Dunn’s ability to create for others and push the pace makes him an intriguing option for teams in need of an experienced floor general. If he can improve his efficiency and cut down on turnovers, he could be a valuable addition to a mid-major or high-major program looking for a veteran presence at point guard.
Nana Owusu-Anane – Brown
Nana Owusu-Anane became the first Canadian player to enter the 2025 transfer portal, making his decision in December after missing the entire 2024-25 season due to a preseason shoulder injury. This wasn’t his first time testing the portal—he explored his options as a sophomore before opting to return to Brown. However, with an extra year of eligibility and a strong track record, he decided it was time to move on from the Ivy League, drawing interest from high-major programs.
When he last played in 2023-24, Owusu-Anane was one of the top Canadian performers in the NCAA, averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 block per game while starting all 31 games for Brown. At six-foot-eight, his ability to impact both ends of the floor made him a coveted transfer, with interest from SMU, Louisville, Grand Canyon, Kansas State, Arizona State, Kansas, Baylor, and San Diego State. He officially committed to SMU, where he’ll use his medical redshirt season.
2025 Canadian NCAA basketball transfer portal tracker (subscribers only)
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