Grand Canyon Tops Transfer Rankings for Non-Power Schools in 2025
In college basketball, where the transfer portal manages recruiting, Grand Canyon University stands tall. To secure the No. 33-ranked transfer class in the country for 2025, the Antelopes outperformed other power conference institutions and were the only mid-major program to rank in the top 50.
The Desert Phenomenon
Bryce Drew completely changed how GCU approaches recruiting, and the results speak for themselves. He mixes finding overlooked high-major players with established mid-major stars and emerging small-conference athletes.
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Desert Dynasty: Breaking Down GCU's Transfer Success
College Basketball Report blew up online with their take on GCU's transfer class, saying "Bryce Drew's cooking in the desert," and pointing out how this mid-major program somehow goes toe-to-toe with the big boys in the transfer market.
The 2025 transfer group looks stacked. Brian Moore Jr., a Norfolk State guard, headlines the class, bringing some serious scoring chops after putting up 18.1 PPG last season. From the field, the senior from Harlem made shots at an incredible 54.5% rate.
Dusty Stromer, a former guard for Gonzaga, brings his top-100 recruiting background to Phoenix. He didn't see much court time with the Bulldogs (just 4.3 PPG), but his size and sweet shooting stroke mean he could blow up with more minutes at GCU.
Wing Upgrades and Frontcourt Depth
The Antelopes significantly strengthened their wings by acquiring Brown's Nana Owusu-Anane and UNLV's Jaden Henley. Before settling at UNLV, Henley, a 6'7" player who scored 12.5 points per game, hopped from Minnesota to DePaul. Owusu-Anane tore it up in the Ivy League, dropping 14.7 PPG and showing he can do a bit of everything on the court.
Wilhelm Breidenbach, a 6'10" transfer from Washington, completes the class with 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds and makes more than half of his attempts. With more than 100 NCAA appearances under his belt from his time at Nebraska and Washington, Breidenbach gives them the frontcourt depth and experienced presence they need..
The Blueprint for Mid-Major Success
The way this transfer class came together makes Grand Canyon stand out in the run of the WAC and maybe make some real noise. The Antelopes built a roster that fills specific needs while staying competitive with much bigger programs.
You can tell this wasn't just throwing darts at random transfers. Drew and his staff found guys who fit what they want to do on the court and in the locker room, not just players with flashy stats.
Teams like Drake, Toledo, and Vermont are watching closely as GCU writes the book on how to win in the transfer portal without power conference resources.
National Implications
GCU climbing so high in the transfer rankings might signal a shift in college basketball's balance of power. While NIL money and TV deals still favor the big conferences, smart recruiting can help close that gap.
The Antelopes prove that mid-majors can put together rosters that can hang nationally by targeting specific types: high-major guys who want bigger roles, established mid-major standouts looking for better tournament chances, and small-conference stars ready to step up.
This approach takes spot-on player evaluation and relationship building that goes beyond typical star ratings. GCU wins by figuring out how players fit into their system instead of just chasing the biggest names available.
The Antelopes set the bar for mid-major programs looking to create enduring success in the transfer portal era with these elite transfers who brought scoring power, defensive versatility, and seasoned leadership. As May gets closer, basketball fans should keep an eye on Grand Canyon as a potential bracket-buster with the talent to knock off the big boys when it matters most.
Fan and Media Buzz
The buzz around Phoenix basketball grows louder with each new transfer announcement. Local fans pack the arena for home games, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in mid-major basketball. National media outlets that typically ignore non-power programs now mention GCU alongside traditional powers when discussing this year's contenders.
Social media metrics show GCU basketball content engagement spiking 215% year-over-year, with fans across the country adopting the Antelopes as their second favorite team. The program sells merchandise to all 50 states now, a testament to their growing national brand that began with smart transfer portal management and exciting on-court play.