2023 Live Transfer Tracker
College News 21 March 2023It's portal season and we're tracking Australian and New Zealand college players entering the portal or transferring from JUCO's.
This article will be updated as the off-season progresses.
If you're a coach and would like to get in contact with or find out more about any of these players, contact us.
GUARDS
Taran Armstrong - 6'5 PG - Sophomore - Cal Baptist (D1)
COMMITTED - PRO - CAIRNS TAIPANS, NBL
After 2 seasons with the Lancers Taran Armstrong has officially entered the portal, seeking to renew some of the NBA draft buzz around him as a freshman.
The 6'5 PG lacks some punch as a scorer but his combination of elite passing and positional size have made him a fantastic college player.
Expect him to weigh up high major programs with the potential of going pro in the NBL.
Will Johnston - 6'3 PG - Junior - Texas Rio Grande-Valley (D1)
COMMITTED - LMU (D1)
After two season's playing JUCO ball, Will Johnston's first season at the D1 level was a booming success, with averages of 14.5ppg, 3.6apg and 2.2rpg.
Johnston is a prolific off the dribble shooter who shot incredibly efficiently given his shot profile, and is also a promising ball screen play-maker. Looking to prove himself at a stronger college, Johnston has already received interest from dozens of schools from the mid and high major levels as high as Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Oregon State.
Roosevelt Williams Jr. - 6'3 PG - Sophomore - Peninsula (NJCAA)
COMMITTED - SEATTLE PACIFIC (D2)
Always a well rounded point guard pre-college, Roosevelt Williams Jr. took a significant statistical jump as a sophomore, averaging 18 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in the Northwest Athletic Conference.
Williams Jr. can attack the rim and run an offense at a high level, as well as guard his position. What continues to be a major point of issue, however, is his shooting, knocking down only 10-62 three's on the year.
Tana Kopa - 6'6 SG - Sophomore - Spring Hill (D2)
COMMITTED - LIU (D1)
Tana Kopa is a player that probably should've been playing at a D1 from day one. The 6'6 wing is a strong athlete with deep range as a versatile shooter, with juice to make shots off the dribble.
Kopa averaged 19 points, 4 rebounds and 1.1 assists game on 49% from the field and 42% from three.
He was named Second Team All-Conference SIAC and led his conference in scoring.
Kopa has received interest from schools including UCSD, Hawaii, Sacramento State, Portland State, Arkansas-Pine, Bluff and Eastern Washington.
Anthony Dell'Orso - 6'6 SG - Freshman - Campbell (D1)
COMMITTED - RETURNING TO CAMPBELL (D1)
6'6 scoring guard Anthony Dell'Orso was a surprise packet for Campbell this season, coming in to be their second leading PPG scorer as a freshman, so much so that he's now testing the portal to try his luck at a higher level.
Dell'Orso can score at multiple levels, getting to the rim for 46% of his FGA at 65% FG, spotting up above the break or attacking off ball screens.
While he is a skilled offensive player, he is limited physically, which will likely cap his ceiling of effectiveness to the mid major level.
Deng Dut - 6'4 PG - Junior - Southern Utah (D1)
Expected level - Low Major
PG Deng Dut's two seasons thus far at the D1 level have been marred by injury, but prior to that he was a highly productive JUCO prospect. Playing for Southern Idaho in 20-21, Dut averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
He'll be looking for a level to play and make an impact in his final year of college.
Luca Barei - 6'6 PG/SG - Freshman - Incarnate Word
COMMITTED - New Mexico (JUCO)
Looking to change programs after a coaching change, Luca Barei is a big combo guard out of South Australia with a fantastic high school career on his resume.
An elite shooting with the ability to play either back-court position.
WINGS
Louis Bleechmore - 6'5 SF - Junior - Saint Joseph's (D1)
COMMITTED - FAIRFIELD (D1)
After playing JUCO at Harcum college, Louis Bleechmore transferred to the Division 1 level this season.
Though he played sparingly for the Hawks, he looked productive in limited minutes, and with the college's incoming class, it makes sense for him to pursue another D1 pathway that can offer him a more consistent role as he heads into his senior season.
A great athlete with a strong body who plays hard, Bleechmore is a capable stationary shooter and play finisher that will hold his own on the defensive end.
Ky Stattmann - 6'4 SG - Freshman - Daytona State (NJCAA D1)
Expected level - Low to Mid Major D1
The younger brother of former Virginia Cavalier Kody Stattmann had a sensational freshman year at Daytona State, averaging 11.3 points per game and knocking down 63 made three pointers.
Stattmann is an aggressive scorer both on and off the ball, with above the rim athleticism and deep shooting range. His play resulted in him being named 1st Team All-Conference and has him garnering plenty of D1 interest.
Mayoum Mayoum - 6'4 SG/SF - RS Freshman - Miami Dade (NJCAA D1)
Expected level - D2/NAIA
He's of guard size, but Mayoum Mayoum's athleticism and play-style lends itself to the wing. An elite athlete who can attack the rim and plays with a high motor on the glass, Mayoum has a major limitation on the perimeter, going 0-16 from three across 21 appearances this season.
Mayoum initially committed to LMU in 2020 before making the move to Miami Dade.
FORWARDS
Tafara Gapare - 6'9 PF/SF - Freshman - Umass (D1)
COMMITTED - GEORGIA TECH (D1)
It was a tough year for freshman Tafara Gapare, coming to the US late thanks to VISA issues and ultimately struggling to win the trust of Head Coach Frank Martin over his first year college.
However, Gapare has limitless potential, and is keen to find a situation where he can play, work on his body and make good on his upside as a potential NBA prospect. In the right situation, Gapare is an absolute steal.
An absolutely elite athlete who led the A10 in steal and block percentage whilst showing fantastic flashes in the open court with his ball handling and finishing, Gapare could be suited to a more up-tempo program.
Kuany Kuany - 6'9 PF - Grad - California (D1)
COMMITTED - VCU (D1)
Athletic 6'9 forward Kuany Kuany officially entered the transfer portal on March 17.
The long, athletic forward moves well on defence and had a varied shot profile, able to be effective in transition, attacking off hand-offs and cutting off-ball but has struggled to find consistency as a jump-shooter.
After playing 4 seasons with the Golden Bears Kuany is weighing up transfer options with the potential of going pro.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones - 6'6 SF/PF - Junior - Hawaii Hilo (D2)
COMMITTED - UC SAN DIEGO (D1)
Kiwi forward Tait-Jones has dominated the D2 level for 3 seasons now, this year averaging 17.6ppg and 9.2rpg. He lacks a consistent outside shot (7-27 from three) but his size, length (7'0 wingspan) and slashing ability are making him a target for countless D1 programs.
Since announcing his transfer status, Tait-Jones has been reached out to by 14 Division 1 programs.
Taburu 'Buru' Naivalurua - 6'8 SF/PF - Freshman - Garden City CC (NJCAA D1)
COMMITTED - OAKLAND (D1)
Freshman forward Buru Naivalurua burst on to the scene this season, averaging 14.8ppg and 10.4rpg, along with 1.9bpg whilst shooting 38.7% from the 3 point line.
Buru is an elite athlete that was a spectacular finisher around the rim. Combined with his motor and shot-making, he has already received 17 D1 offers since arriving in the States (Sacramento State, St Bonaventure, Tulsa, Montana State, Cal State Fullerton, Southern Indiana, Hawaii, Iona, Portland, FIU, Rhode Island, Texas State, Samford, East Tennessee State, Cal State Bakersfield, Duquesne, Oakland and Tarelton.)
With 0 D1 offers and only 1 JUCO willing to take a chance on him coming out of Australia, 'Buru' is a perfect example of the undiscovered talent we're aiming to highlight here at Airtime.
Malang Athian - 6'7 SF/PF - Sophomore - Cloud County MBB (NJCAA D1)
Expected level - Low to Mid-Major D1
Finishing his second JUCO season is athletic forward Malang Athian. Athletic, long, and an asset on both ends, Athian lengths and athleticism are clear assets in the open floor and as a cutter.
Shooting 50% from the floor and 38.2% from three (29-76), Athian is a great 3/D option for D1 programs.
He currently holds offers from South Carolina State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Northern Illinois.
Nathan Wilson - 6'7 SF/PF - Sophomore - Southern Georgia Technical College (JUCO)
Expected level - Low Major D1, D2/NAIA
Nathan Wilson is an uber-athletic forward from New Zealand, who has played two years of Junior College ball at South Georgia Tech.
Nate made a splash as an 18-year-old in 2020, playing in the NZ NBL pro-competition as a high school grad, showing his high-level athleticism on both ends of the court.
Standing a long 6’8, Nate has a good frame but has only had a small amount of lean mass added in the last two years.
He moves incredibly well for his size, both laterally and vertically, with the ability to play above the rim in trans and as a lob threat.
Nate has shown a bit more as a shooter than in high school, taking some spot up jumpers as a four or small ball five, but has very little volume or efficiency to show as of yet.
He has basic vision as a passer with the ability to make stationary reads, but as with his shooting, he hasn’t really shown the growth needed to be a proper four man at the D1 level.
Defensively, he is an impressive shot-blocker, but he is too skinny to guard fives at the next level. Nate’s strength is his ability to guard down, potentially being able to switch onto guards at higher levels.
Kiani Saxon - 6'8 PF - Sophomore - LSU Eunice (JUCO)
COMMITTED - MISSOURI WESTERN STATE (D2)
Kiani Saxon has made a name for himself in the USA with 2 solid years of production at JUCO, LSU-Eunice.
LIke most HS grads, especially internationals, Saxon was impacted by COVID and enrolled in 2021 at LSUE.
Saxon had a strong HS career, and with a year of New Zealand pro competition as a development player, had some varied experience and raw tools.
He stands 6’8 with a 6’11 wingspan, and has great movement patterns for his size and position.
Saxon can shoot, run the floor and is very athletic attacking from the perimeter and playing above the rim. His strong frame will only get bigger, and he is already a multi-positional defender, albeit at lower levels.
After 2 excellent years at LSUE, he now has strong interest from a range of low and mid-major programs.
He is a high-character kid max with good academics, and has interest from a range of D1 and D2 programs.
Lachlan Bofinger - 6' SF/PF - Junior - UTSA (D1)
COMMITTED - SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY, San Antonio (D2)
A strong body with above the rim athleticism, Bofinger is a toolsy forward who makes an impact on the defensive end and as a cutter off the ball, as well as being a monster on the boards.
Outside of his motor, Bofinger's offensive skill-set is limited at the D1 level. He is a non-creator on the ball and went 0-10 from 3PT range across three seasons with UTSA.
Expect him to transfer down to a setting where he can show off a bit more versatility ahead of his aspirations to play professionally.
Paul Gakmar - 6'8 F - SOPHOMORE - Hillsborough CC (JUCO)
Expected level - Low Major D1
JUCO forward Paul Gakmar out of Perth was a key role player for Hillsborough CC this season, averaging 7 points per game on over 50% from the field and 36% from three.
The athletic Gakmar is a versatile, high effort defender and rebounder who can finish plays above the rim and space the floor offensively.
He already holds 1 Division 1 offer from the University of New Hampshire.
Jackson Harding - 6'8 SF/PF - FRESHMAN - CBU (D1)
Expected level - Low Major/JUCO
A big wing/stretch 4 with great mobility and promising attributes shooting and handling the ball. Needs to develop his body.
BIGS
Blake Jones - 6'10 PF - Sophomore - George Mason (D1)
COMMITTED - MONTANA (D1)
After a incredible career pre-college in Australia, culminating in an Under 20 Australian Junior Championship event MVP award, it's been underwhelming to see how little 6'10 big man Blake Jones has played in his college career so far.
With range out to three and a versatile scoring game inside and out for his size, Jones will be looking to find a program where he can play and contribute on a consistent basis.
Jason Spurgin - 6'11 C - Junior - Southern Utah (D1)
COMMITTED - BOWLING GREEN (D1)
One of the best Australian defenders in the NCAA, Jason Spurgin averaged 2.5 blocks per 40 this season, good for a block percentage of 6.1%, showing off great instincts, length and mobility.
Spurgin is looking to spread his wings offensively. In speaking with Spurgin this week, he is looking for a destination where he can be a key offensive piece and show off his impact on both sides of the ball heading into his senior year.
Lieb Yat - 6'11 C - Sophomore - Seminole State CC (JUCO)
COMMITTED - LIVINGSTONE (D2)
Big man Lieb Yet had an inconsistent two years of college thus far recovering from and finding form off the back of a knee injury, but when healthy he's shown ample ability as an athletic, near 7 foot rim running and lob finishing big who protects the paint down the other end.
Marshal Destremau - 6'9 PF - Freshman - Southern Utah (D1)
COMMITTED - CLARENDON (JUCO)
A stretch 4 with a great frame and shot blocking skills, Destremau has some intriguing tools, but did not play as a freshman.
He joins the exodus of Aussie players out of Southern Utah as he looks for another spot to continue his college career.
Ben Griscti - 6'11 C - Sophomore - Incarnate Word (D1)
COMMITTED - UC RIVERSIDE (D1)
A skilled stretch big that knocked down 38.7% of his triples this past season for Incarnate Word.