Bidunga tops 2026-27 preseason transfer team for Louisville

The 2026-27 college basketball preseason transfer team lists Flory Bidunga of Louisville as its top selection.

CBS Sports named Bidunga the Preseason Transfer of the Year, a designation that places him above other high-profile recruits such as Acaden Lewis of Miami and John Blackwell of Duke. The list was compiled after exhibition games provided initial indications of how these athletes integrate into their new rosters. The organization noted that while some transfers will underperform, several are poised to become foundational pieces for their teams.

Bidunga, a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, is described as the top-rated player in the 2026 portal cycle. His value extends beyond scoring, as he serves as a primary defensive anchor for Louisville. During an exhibition victory over Kansas, Bidunga successfully guarded five-star wing Tyran Stokes. He is considered one of the best four defenders in the nation, comparable to players like Mo Krivas at Arizona and JoJo Tugler at Houston.

On the offensive end, Bidunga is already effective in lob situations, though refining his handle remains a key area of development. Louisville plans to utilize him at the four position alongside freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. at the five. At Kansas last season, Bidunga recorded 30 drives and averaged 1.00 points per possession on those attempts. Louisville coach Chris Kelsey stated via the Courier-Journal that Bidunga is a special player whose hard work sets him apart from his teammates.

Acaden Lewis, a left-handed point guard from Miami, made the first team after a strong exhibition performance against Vanderbilt. Lewis scored 23 points on 12 shots and dished out 10 assists. His previous season at Villanova saw him shoot 61 percent on layups and post a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Miami coach Jai Lucas described Lewis as a basketball savant who can create scoring opportunities independently.

John Blackwell of Duke was selected for his shooting and leadership qualities. The Wisconsin transfer has established himself as the team's best three-point shooter. Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised Blackwell for his fearlessness and his role in uplifting younger players. Tounde Yessoufou of St. John's joined the first team after averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds for Baylor last season. St. John's coach Rick Pitino emphasized the need for Yessoufou to elevate his shooting and one-on-one skills to reach lottery pick status.

Milan Momcilovic of Kentucky rounded out the first team due to his elite shooting percentage. He shot 49 percent from three-point range on over seven attempts per game last season. Kentucky coach Mark Pope noted that Momcilovic makes difficult shots look routine, which forces opponents to chase him on defense.

The second team includes Dedan Thomas of Houston, PJ Haggerty of Texas A&M, Paulius Murauskas of Arizona State, and David Punch of Texas. Thomas, a 6-foot-1 guard, is valued for his ball security, having posted a 3.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio at LSU. Haggerty is selected for his ability to score in the paint, where he shot 65 percent on 245 attempts last season. Murauskas, a 6-foot-8 forward, provides physical presence and rebounding for Arizona State. Punch, a 6-foot-7 forward from Texas, is included for his defensive versatility and nearly 7-foot wingspan.

The selection process excluded five-year eligibility seniors who are playing under temporary court orders. Players such as Keyshawn Hall of St. John's and Jaxon Kohler of BYU were omitted because their eligibility remains subject to NCAA appeals. The teams were constructed to reflect realistic on-court lineups, ensuring that guards, wings, forwards, and centers were balanced within each squad.