College Basketball
Top 5 NIL Transfer Deals in College Basketball: $3.5M Moves Shake Up the Portal
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Get to know David Evans betterPublished18 Apr 2025
College basketball’s 2025 transfer portal isn’t just shifting rosters, it reshaping the economics of the sport. Several players changed schools with NIL packages that sur NBA rookie salaries. Here’s a look at the five biggest confirmed or reported transfer deals from the 2025 portal cycle.
Top 5 NIL Deals from 2025 Transfer Portal
| Player | Previous School | New School | Reported NIL Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Wright III | Baylor | BYU | $3.5 million |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | UAB | Michigan | $3.0 million |
| Donovan Dent | New Mexico | UCLA | $3.0 million |
| Darrion Williams | Texas Tech | TBD | $2.5 million |
| Jayden Quaintance | Arizona State | Kentucky | $2.0 million |
🥇 Rob Wright III — $3.5 million
- Previous school: Baylor
- New school: BYU
- Position: Guard
Wright flipped the transfer market when BYU roster led by new coach Kevin Young. BYU’s collective wanted a star to pair with AJ Dybantsa — Wright is that guy.
🥈 Yaxel Lendeborg — $3.0 million
- Previous school: UAB
- New school: Michigan
- Position: Forward
Lendeborg, a walking double-double, turned down The Wolverines had to overpay to compete, and they did. Lendenborg is expected to be the team’s centerpiece under Dusty May.
🥉 Donovan Dent — $3.0 million
- Previous school: New Mexico
- New school: UCLA
- Position: Guard
Dent was one of the top guards in the country and cashed in big with UCLA. Reports pegged his deal at $3 million. The Bruins see him as a plug-and-play lead guard with high usage and immediate Big Ten impact.
4. Darrion Williams — $2.5 million
- Previous school: Texas Tech
- New school: TBD
- Position: Forward
Williams hasn’t committed yet, but insiders say he’s fielding offers in the $2.5 million range with BYU leading the chase. The versatile wing averaged 11.4 points and 7.5 boards last season and could be the most polished uncommitted forward left. A Big Ten or SEC program could be his next stop.
5. Jayden Quaintance — $2.0 million
- Previous school: Arizona State
- New school: Kentucky
- Position: Center
After one year at Arizona State, the 5-star freshman returned to Kentucky — and got paid. The reported $2 million deal brings him back to the program he originally signed with, now under Mark Pope. He’ll anchor the frontcourt in Lexington with NBA eyes still watching.
