The Transfer Portal Is a Game Changer and That’s a Good Thing
The Transfer Portal Is a Game Changer — And That’s a Good Thing. By Lonnie “Prime” Harrell In a world where coaches flip rosters and programs chase quick wins, why shouldn’t players do the same? This blog breaks down the truth behind the transfer portal—why it’s not ruining college basketball, but exposing long-standing realities in the game. From development gaps to NIL opportunities, Lonnie “Prime” Harrell dives deep into how the portal reflects evolution, empowerment, and the future of hoops. Adapt or get left behind.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALLNCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALLTRANSFER PORTAL
Prime
3/27/20252 min read
The transfer portal. Just hearing those words makes some coaches and old-school fans cringe. They’ll tell you it’s ruining the game, making players soft, or that it’s just a free agency system with no structure. But let’s keep it real, the transfer portal is just a reflection of what basketball has always been about: opportunity, adaptability, and getting the most out of your talent while you still can.
Let’s break it down.
Why Are Players Transferring?
It’s simple. Players want what’s best for them, and schools aren’t always providing that. Here’s what people don’t say out loud:
• Coaches Don’t Want Some of These Players. A lot of these kids hit the portal because their coach already hit them with the “maybe you should explore your options” talk. Some coaches recruit over players every year, and when a kid doesn’t develop fast enough, they’re left behind. The portal gives them a fresh start.
• Some Players Aren’t Growing or Developing. Not every program is invested in making their guys better. Some coaches only trust a short rotation, some don’t put in the work, and some just want instant results. If you’re not getting better, why stay?
• Some Players Want More Money. Let’s not pretend NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) isn’t a factor. If a player can go somewhere else and make life-changing money, why wouldn’t they? Schools make millions off these kids, but now players finally have some leverage.
• Some Just Want a New Experience. Maybe it’s about a better fit, a different system, or even just a change of scenery. College is supposed to be about growth, right? So why is it a problem when a player wants to explore something new?
The same people complaining about the transfer portal are the same ones who justify NBA players forcing trades, teams tanking for picks, or front offices flipping rosters overnight. But when a 19-year-old wants a better situation, suddenly it’s a crisis? Make it make sense.
The NBA Changed Too, And We Hate It, But It’s Evolution Right?
Since we’re talking about change, let’s address the other thing hoop purists love to hate, the three point era. The game has evolved into something that would’ve been unimaginable 20 years ago. We went from big men dominating the paint to centers shooting threes like guards. The game is faster, more spread out, and all about spacing andd i personally hate it
And what’s the excuse we hear?
• “Analytics say it’s the most efficient shot.”
• “Teams have to adapt or get left behind.”
• “This is just the way basketball is now.”
Sound familiar? That’s exactly what’s happening with the transfer portal. The old ways don’t last forever. You either adjust or get left behind.
Final Thoughts
The transfer portal isn’t ruining the game, it’s just exposing the realities that have always been there. Players have more power now, and that’s a good thing. Just like the NBA evolved (for better or worse), college basketball is doing the same. If coaches, programs, and fans can accept it at the pro level, they need to stop crying about it when it happens in college.
At the end of the day, the game is about opportunity. If a player can find a better one somewhere else, who are we to tell them they shouldn’t take it? Didn’t Luka and AD get shipped out?
