First UD player enters transfer portal

Dayton guard Bryce Heard announces plans to leave the team.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:34am

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Dayton guard Bryce Heard, a 6-foot-5 player from Chicago, has announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Heard played in 36 games for the Flyers this past season, including six starts, and averaged over 6 points per game while shooting 36.6% from 3-point range.

Why it matters

Heard's decision to transfer is the first departure from Dayton's 2025-26 roster, which went 25-12 overall and 12-6 in the Atlantic 10 conference before bowing out in the third round of the NIT.

The details

Heard, who played his freshman season at NC State before transferring to Dayton, scored a season-high 16 points against nationally ranked BYU in November. He also scored in double figures in all three of the Flyers' NIT games this past postseason.

  • The NCAA transfer portal officially opens on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • Heard announced his plans to enter the portal on his social media account on April 2, 2026.

The players

Bryce Heard

A 6-foot-5 guard from Chicago who played his freshman season at NC State before transferring to the University of Dayton, where he averaged over 6 points per game as a sophomore in the 2025-26 season.

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What’s next

Heard's departure will leave an opening in Dayton's backcourt rotation, and the Flyers coaching staff will likely look to the transfer portal and recruiting to fill that void ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Heard's decision to enter the transfer portal is the first significant roster move for Dayton following a 25-win season, and it highlights the increased player mobility in college basketball as athletes seek new opportunities.