NCAA transfer portal update: Kel'el Ware one of several McDonald's All-Americans to transfer

The 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament officially wrapped up on Monday with the UConn Huskies claiming their fifth national championship.

Since our last transfer portal update, over 1,300 college basketball players have entered the portal, including 289 freshmen. 

Headlining the top class of 2022 recruits to enter the portal are Kel'el Ware (Oregon) and Jaden Bradley (Alabama). Both were former McDonald's All-Americans and five-star recruits who were rotational players on their college basketball teams but now sit at the top of the portal as highly-touted prospects once again. 

Here are the top 10 former class of 2022 boys basketball recruits who have decided to transfer after their first season of college basketball:

(Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order, and all 2022 prospect rankings are courtesy of On3.)

Favour Aire - Bishop McNamara (MD) - Miami - C

Along with freshman teammate Danilo Jovanovich, Favour Aire is the additional Miami Hurricane that is looking for a new home. Aire, a Bishop McNamara (Maryland) standout, was ranked as the nation's No. 108 overall recruit in the class of 2022, No. 15 center, and Maryland's No. 4 overall prospect. The 7-footer held offers from Indiana, LSU, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and others prior to committing to the Hurricanes. Aire appeared in 14 games in his freshman season for Miami, while playing less than three minutes per game. 

Jaden Bradley - IMG Academy (FL) - Alabama - PG

Bradley, a 6-foot-3 185-pound point guard, entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, April 4. The former five-star recruit, McDonald's All-American, and the nation's No. 2 point guard in the class of 2022 averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. Bradley is expected to have a breakout season next year regardless of which school he chooses to play college basketball at. In addition to Bradley, Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney are also not returning to the Crimson Tide. The duo recently declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. Most projections have them being selected among the top-20 picks.

Jayden Epps - Combine Academy (NC) - Illinois - CG

Epps joins former five-star recruit and Illinois freshman teammate Skyy Clark in the transfer portal. The Combine Academy (North Carolina) product was ranked as the nation's No. 81 overall recruit in the class of 2022, No. 12 combo guard and North Carolina's No. 2 overall prospect. The 6-foot-2 190-pound combo guard averaged 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 31 games for the Fighting Illini this season. Since entering the transfer portal, Epps has already scheduled visits with NC State and Georgetown this upcoming weekend according to 247Sports.

P.J. Haggerty - Crosby (TX) - TCU - CG

Last year's Mr. Texas Basketball Player of the Year, PJ Haggerty, is leaving the TCU Horned Frogs after tossing his name in the transfer portal earlier this week. The former Crosby High School (Texas) star and three-star recruit appeared in six games for TCU this year, while averaging 2.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in nearly 9.0 minutes per game. Haggerty was ranked as the nation's No. 159 overall recruit, No. 23 combo guard and Texas' No. 16 overall prospect in the class of 2022. The 6-foot-3 192-pound freshman combo guard held offers from Houston, Florida State, Arizona and others before ultimately choosing the Horned Frogs. 

Kimani Hamilton - Clinton (MS) - Mississippi State - PF

Former Clinton High School (Mississippi) standout and three-star recruit Kimani Hamilton has decided to enter the college basketball transfer portal after one season with Mississippi State. The 6-foot-8 215-pound power forward won Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year his senior season while averaging 18.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Hamilton appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs this year, while averaging 2.6 points in 7.0 minutes. Hamilton was ranked the nation's No. 165 overall prospect, No. 42 power forward and Mississippi's top-ranked recruit in the class of 2022. He originally chose the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Houston and others. 

Danilo Jovanovich - Whitnall (WI) - Miami - SF 

Former class of 2022 three-star recruit Danilo Jovanovich has entered the transfer portal. The Whitnall High School (Wisconsin) product was ranked as the nation's No. 228 overall prospect, No. 5 small forward and Wisconsin's No. 3 overall recruit. Jovanovich, a 6-foot-8 219-pound small forward, appeared in one game this season for the Miami Hurricanes. According to reports, it looks like Marquette could be a potential suitor for Jovanovich. 

Kolby King - Pembroke Pines Charter (FL) - St. John's - PG

King, a 6-foot-2 170-pound point guard, entered the transfer portal after one season playing at St. John's. The former three-star recruit in the class of 2022 joined AJ Storr and O'Mar Stanley to leave the Red Storm shortly after the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. King was ranked as the nation's No. 263 overall recruit, No. 47 point guard and Florida's No. 27 overall prospect in the class of 2022. He appeared in 26 games in his freshman season for St. John's while playing roughly 8.0 minutes per game. 

MJ Rice - Prolific Prep (CA) - Kansas - SF

Despite being a highly touted four-star recruit in the class of 2022 and McDonald's All-American, MJ Rice didn't have the opportunity to carve out a solid role with the Kansas Jayhawks his freshman season. Rice entered the transfer portal this past week and averaged 2.2 points and 1 rebound in 7.5 minutes per game for the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-5 215-pound small forward was ranked as the nation's No. 29 overall prospect, No. 12 small forward and California's No. 4 overall prospect in the class of 2022. Rice originally chose Kansas over Louisville, Providence and many others. 

Ben Shtolzberg - Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (CA) - Creighton - PG

Earlier this week, former class of 2022 three-star recruit Ben Shtolzberg entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-4 200-pound point guard was ranked as the nation's No. 163 overall prospect, No. 26 point guard and California's No. 18 prospect in 2022. As a senior at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (California), Shtolzberg averaged 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. He played in 17 games this season for the Creighton Bluejays while averaging 1.5 points and almost one rebound per game. Gonzaga is a projected landing spot for Shtolzberg, as his former high school teammate Dusty Stromer committed to the Zags last year. 

Kel'el Ware - North Little Rock (AR) - Oregon - C

Ware, a 7-foot 210-pound freshman center, is the No. 1 ranked prospect currently in the transfer portal. The former five-star recruit and 2022 McDonald's All-American struggled to consistently earn playing time under head coach Dana Altman (15.8 minutes per game) this season and looks to have a big-time role with a national championship contender this upcoming season. The No. 2 overall center in last year's class averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and shot 46% from the field. Ware will take an official visit to Indiana on Thursday, April 6, which is the only official visit he has scheduled since entering the portal, according to Peegs.com. He's also heard from Duke, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Texas, Florida State and many others.