5
Aug
Aussies in NCAA
Only two Australians remain in NCAA transfer portal
Darwin basketballer Jada Crawshaw has transferred to Seton Hall for her senior season. Photo: Instagram
Podcasts
Dozens of Australians have entered the NCAA basketball transfer portal ahead of 2026–27 season
- Full coverage of NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball
- Every Australian in NCAAW basketball in 2026-27
- Every Australian in NCAAM basketball in 2026-27
Australian basketball's record NCAA transfer cycle is all but complete, with 66 of the 68 Australians who entered the transfer portal now committed to new programs or returning to their current school ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Just two Australians remain as the new college basketball season approaches – men's forward Achor Achor and women's freshman Jaime Gallatly.
The women's portal again drove the movement, highlighted by Bonnie Deas' move to UCLA, Pania Davis to USC, Lara Somfai to TCU, Sophie Burrows to North Carolina, Jessica Petrie to Indiana, Olivia Bradley to Utah, Tabitha Betson to Michigan State, Hilary Fuller to Oregon and Hannah Wickstrom to Purdue.
On the men's side, Joshua Hughes committed to USC, Jacob Furphy transferred to Boston College, Tasman Goodrick landed at Syracuse, Roman Siulepa joined Ole Miss, Fraser Roxburgh moved to Washington State, Bol Dengdit signed with Hawai'i, Joel Foxwell and Marcus Vaughns headed to Arizona State, while Chol Machot committed to Georgetown.
Northern Territory forward Jada Crawshaw was among the final Australians to come off the board, transferring from Georgia Tech to Seton Hall after averaging 7.2 points while shooting 50.9% from the field last season.
With only two players still seeking a new home, Australia's biggest-ever NCAA transfer cycle is effectively complete and provides a clear picture of where the nation's college talent will suit up in 2026-27.
By the numbers
- 68 Australians entered the NCAA transfer portal
- 66 have now committed or elected to stay
- 40 women transferred schools
- One woman stayed at her current program (Adeang Ring, Virginia)
- 24 men have finalised their destination
- Three Australians remain in the portal
Australian Men's Basketballers still in the NCAA Transfer Portal
🇦🇺 Achor Achor — Height: 2.06m | Weight: 104kg | Class: Senior | Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria
• Mississippi State Bulldogs: Points 6.2 | Rebounds 6.3 | Assists 0.4 | FG% 42.7
Australian Women's Basketballers still in the NCAA Transfer Portal
🇦🇺 Jaime Gallatly — Height: 1.83m | Class: Freshman | Hometown: Traralgon, Victoria
• Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners: Points 1.1 | Rebounds 0.6 | Assists 0.0 | FG% 37.5
NIL & Transfer Portal — What they mean
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)
NIL = players can get paid
What it is
NIL allows college athletes to earn money from their personal brand — without being paid directly by the school.
How players make money
- Sponsorship deals (brands, local businesses)
- Social media promotions
- Camps, appearances, merch
- Collectives (booster-funded groups supporting athletes)
Why it matters
- Top players can earn six to seven figures USD
- Mid-majors can now compete financially (to a degree)
- Players are no longer purely “amateur” in a financial sense
NIL = earning power + market value
Transfer Portal
Transfer Portal = player movement system
What it is
A central database where players can enter their name and transfer schools.
How it works
- Player enters the portal → other schools can recruit them
- No sitting out (in most cases — immediate eligibility)
- Happens every offseason (and mid-year windows)
Why it matters
- Rosters flip fast — year-to-year volatility
- Coaches recruit the portal like free agency
- Playing time + role = biggest driver
Transfer Portal = mobility + opportunity
How they work together
This is the key shift in college basketball:
- NIL = money
- Portal = movement
Together they create:
- A free-agent style market
- Players choosing based on:
- Role
- Exposure
- Earnings
Australian lens (important)
For Aussies in the NCAA:
- Mid-majors → majors pathway
- Perform → transfer up
- NIL gives:
- Financial upside even outside power schools
- Portal gives:
- Control over situation (minutes, system, fit)
Bottom line
College basketball is no longer static. It’s now:
- Performance → Portal → Pay (NIL)
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