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First-year transfers are making their mark in the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament ahead of the Sweet 16.
In the current era of name, image and likeness (NIL) overtaking the sport, transfers have as big an impact as ever on college basketball rosters. Most of the top transfers still alive in March Madness were paid handsomely for a chance at a deep NCAA Tournament run.
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REQUIRED READING: Re-seeding Sweet 16 teams: Separating the contenders from pretenders
Depending on the situation, a Sweet 16 run could be considered “mission accomplished” for a few programs. For others, such as No. 1 seed Michigan, it serves as the potential first stop en route to on a Final Four berth.
Here’s a ranking of the top first-year transfers of the Sweet 16 in the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament:
Ranking top first-year transfers of Sweet 16
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The No. 1-ranked transfer portal prospect from the offseason has lived up to his billing in his first season at Michigan after transferring from UAB. The first-team All-American won Big Ten Player of the Year this season, averaging 14.7 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game on 51.5% shooting.
2. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz has had a wild college career, starting at Division II Northwest Missouri State before following coach Ben McCollum to Drake and, now, Iowa.
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He has blossomed into a potential 2026 NBA Draft lottery pick with the Hawkeyes averaging 19.7 points with 2.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season while scoring 30 or more points three times.
REQUIRED READING: Sweet 16 bold predictions: Which No. 1 seed is most at risk? Who makes Final Four?
3. Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Nebraska standout Pryce Sandfort left Iowa in the offseason after the Hawkeyes moved on from longtime coach Fran McCaffery. It turned out to be the right move for the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter, as he averaged 17.9 points with 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 41% shooting from 3-point range.
4. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee
Ja’Kobi Gillespie starred for Maryland last season while making a Sweet 16 run, and he’s doing the same for Tennessee in…
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Publish date : 2026-03-25 22:10:00
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