Arizona Wildcats Seek Transfer Portal Guard After Departures

Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries set to leave, creating need for backcourt depth

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a college basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold colors overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract visual representation of the sport.The Arizona Wildcats' backcourt will look vastly different next season after the expected departures of key players, creating an opportunity for a transfer portal target to step in and lead the team.Louisville Today

The Arizona basketball team is expected to lose leading scorer Jaden Bradley and guard Brayden Burries to the NBA Draft, leaving a need for guard depth heading into next season. The Wildcats have been floated as a potential landing spot for transfer portal standout Jackson Shelstad, who recently announced he would be leaving his home-state Oregon program.

Why it matters

Arizona's deep tournament run this past season was fueled by its talented backcourt, so replacing the production and experience of Bradley and Burries will be crucial for the Wildcats to maintain their status as a national title contender.

The details

Burries is expected to declare for the NBA Draft, while Bradley, who led Arizona in scoring this past season, will also be moving on. This leaves a void in the Wildcats' backcourt that head coach Tommy Lloyd will need to address through the transfer portal. One name that has been floated as a potential target is Jackson Shelstad, a 21-year-old guard who spent the last three seasons at Oregon.

  • Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries are expected to depart Arizona this offseason.
  • Jackson Shelstad recently announced he will be entering the NCAA transfer portal after three years at Oregon.

The players

Jaden Bradley

The leading scorer for Arizona this past season, Bradley is expected to leave the program and declare for the NBA Draft.

Brayden Burries

The veteran guard for Arizona is also expected to depart, with his sights set on the professional ranks.

Jackson Shelstad

A 21-year-old guard who spent the last three seasons at Oregon, Shelstad recently entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal and has been floated as a potential target for Arizona.

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, Lloyd will need to address the departures of Bradley and Burries by finding a replacement in the transfer portal.

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What they’re saying

“After three years playing for his home state Oregon program, Jackson Shelstad made the decision to transfer. Two schools to watch are Arizona and Louisville, as both programs lose their starting point guards and will be in need of a replacement.”

— On3 Sports

What’s next

Arizona will need to identify and recruit a transfer portal target to fill the void left by the departures of Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, with Jackson Shelstad emerging as a potential option.

The takeaway

The loss of Bradley and Burries leaves Arizona with a significant need for backcourt depth, and the Wildcats will need to be active in the transfer portal to find a replacement who can help the team maintain its status as a national title contender.