Vote now: Which high school basketball transfer will have the biggest impact in 2023-24?
Bryce James, the second-oldest son of LeBron James, looks on during warmups with Sierra Canyon at the 2022 Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon.
The introduction of the transfer portal era has added more drama, news and intrigue to the college sports offseason.
Whether moving between schools in the same city or jumping to a national prep school, transferring has long been a hot-button topic at the high school level — and there may be more movement than ever.
Players transfer for many reasons. Some may be looking for a better basketball situation, seeking to play on a bigger stage or are just looking for a change in situation.
SBLive is tracking the most impactful and consequential offseason transfers across the country from the final horn of the 2022-23 season to the first tip of 2023-24.
Now, we want to hear from you: Which high-impact high school basketball transfer will make the biggest impact next year?
Read up on the nominees and cast your vote. Voting stays open until May 27, 2023 AT 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time). Our high school transfer portal tracker will be updated throughout the summer and fall.
WHICH HIGH-PROFILE TRANSFER WILL HAVE BEST SEASON?
Melvin Bell, 6-4, shooting guard, 2025
New school: La Lumiere (Indiana)
Transferred from: St. Rita (Illinois)
Bell became the second St. Rita player to announce his decision to transfer in early May. The No. 5 combo guard in the class of 2025 could take a big leap nationally next season after putting up 4.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as a sophomore.
James Brown, 6-10, forward, 2024
New school: Link Academy (Missouri)
Transferred from: St. Rita (Illinois)
The No. 4 center in the class of 2024, Brown announced his move to the national champion Link Academy shortly after the 2022-23 season. The North Carolina commit averaged 10.8 points, 8.9 rebounds as a junior with St. Rita.
Carter Bryant, 6-8, forward, 2024
New school: Corona Centennial (California)
Transferred from: Sage Hill (California)
Could Centennial be a national power for the third consecutive season after losing Jared McCain (Duke) and Aaron McBride (Loyola Marymount)? Add Bryant, a versatile multi-year star at Sage Hills, who is committed to Arizona, and the perennial CIF Open Division contender should be back in the mix.
Jeremiah Fears, 6-1, point guard, 2024
New school: Sunrise Christian (Kansas)
Transferred from: Joliet West (Illinois)
The No. 7 point guard in the class of 2025, Fears played last year at Joliet West with his brother Jeremy, a Michigan State signee and McDonald’s All-American in the class of 2023. With his brother moving on to the college ranks, the younger Fears decided to take his game to national powerhouse Sunrise Christian.
Jahseem Felton, 6-5, shooting guard, 2024
New school: Combine Academy (North Carolina)
Transferred from: Southern California Academy (California)
A North Carolina native, Felton attended Gaston Christian before moving to Southern California for his junior year. The No. 7 combo guard in the class of 2024 will return to his home state as a senior to play for Combine Academy.
Matthew Gilhool, 6-11, power forward, 2024
New school: Long Island Lutheran (New York)
Transferred from: Westtown School (Pennsylvania)
A 6-foot-11 forward with offers from the likes of Miami, Rutgers and Penn State, Gilhool will join a Long Island Lutheran squad which finished the 2022-23 season ranked in the top five nationally.
Miles Goodman, 6-10, forward/center, 2024
New school: Southern California Academy (California)
Transferred from: O’Dea (Washington)
Goodman helped O’Dea reach the state championship game as a sophomore, and now he’ll look to help Southern California Academy win on the national stage. Georgetown recently jumped into the recruitment for the 6-foot-11 center, joining San Diego State, Washington and others.
Bryce James, 6-6, small forward, 2025
New school: Campbell Hall (California)
Transferred from: Sierra Canyon (California)
The second oldest son of LeBron James will reportedly play for newly hired coach David Grace at the alma mater of the Holiday brothers — Jru, Justin and Aaron. James, whose length and frame are much bigger than his point guard brother Bronny, was a fan favorite as a sophomore in a reserve roll off the bench for Sierra Canyon and is starting to show an expanded repertoire with more touches on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring.
Del Jones, 6-2, point guard, 2024
New school: AZ Compass Prep (Arizona)
Transferred from: Huntington Prep (West Virginia)
On May 10, Jones became the second top 100 prospect in the class of 2024 to announce he’d be joining AZ Compass Prep for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-2 point guard, ranked No. 77 nationally in his class, holds offers from Rutgers, Oregon, West Virginia and more.
Aiden Sherrell, 6-11, forward, 2024
New school: Prolific Prep (California)
Transferred from: Hillcrest Prep (Arizona)
A four-star prospect with more than 20 high major Division I offers — most recently Kansas and Cal — Sherrell bolsters the front court of the 2022-23 GEICO Nationals runners-up. A member of the elusive (and fictitious) four high schools club, Sherrell started at Georgia high school powerhouse Norcross before transferring to Wasatch Academy (Utah) then Hillcrest Prep (Arizona).
AJ Swinton, 6-5, forward, 2024
New school: Bishop O’Connell (Virginia)
Transferred from: Sierra Canyon (California)
A four-star small forward, Swinton is moving back to the DMV area for his senior year after playing at DeMatha Catholic (Maryland) as a sophomore. The 6-foot-5 small forward began his junior year with Oak Hill Academy (Va.) but finished the season with Sierra Canyon.
Robert Wright III, 6-0, point guard, 2024
New school: Montverde Academy (Florida)
Transferred from: Neumann-Goretti (Pennsylvania)
A top 40 prospect nationally in the class of 2024, Wright was the first high-profile addition for Montverde Academy but likely won’t be the last. The Baylor point guard commit recorded 23.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game as a junior while leading Neumann-Goretti to the state championship game.
Sammie Yeanay, 6-9, forward, 2024
New school: AZ Compass Prep (Arizona)
Transferred from: North Marion (Florida)
Ranked in the top 100 nationally in the class of 2024, Yeanay started the reload for AZ Compass Prep when he announced his move in April. The 6-foot-9 forward finished the 2022-23 season with North Marion after beginning the year at The Rock School (Fla.).
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