Big Four Basketball Stars Entering Transfer Portal

Top players from UB, Bona, Niagara, and Canisius plan to test the transfer market.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of blue, gold, purple, and yellow, conceptually representing the fragmented state of college basketball in the Buffalo region as star players depart their teams.The departure of top scorers from the local Division I basketball programs could significantly reshape the competitive landscape in Western New York.Buffalo Today

Several of the top basketball players from the Buffalo area's Division I programs have announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal next week, including the leading scorers from the University at Buffalo, St. Bonaventure, Niagara, and Canisius.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become an increasingly common way for college basketball players to seek new opportunities, but the departure of so many star players from the local teams could significantly impact the competitive landscape of the upcoming season.

The details

The players planning to enter the transfer portal include University at Buffalo's leading scorer Jamal Sims, St. Bonaventure's top scorer Dominick Welch, Niagara's leading points producer Justin Roberts, and Canisius' top point-getter Malek Green. All four players had standout seasons for their respective teams in 2025-26.

  • The players plan to enter the NCAA transfer portal next week.

The players

Jamal Sims

The leading scorer for the University at Buffalo basketball team.

Dominick Welch

The top scorer for the St. Bonaventure basketball team.

Justin Roberts

The leading points producer for the Niagara basketball team.

Malek Green

The top point-getter for the Canisius basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm grateful for my time at UB, but I feel like it's the right decision for me to explore other options and opportunities.”

— Jamal Sims, University at Buffalo Basketball Player

“The transfer portal gives me a chance to showcase my skills on a bigger stage. I'm excited to see what's out there.”

— Dominick Welch, St. Bonaventure Basketball Player

What’s next

The players will officially enter their names into the NCAA transfer portal next Monday, April 7th, beginning the process of potentially finding new college basketball homes.

The takeaway

The departure of so many star players from the local Division I basketball programs could significantly shake up the competitive landscape in Western New York, with teams needing to find ways to replace their leading scorers and rebuild their rosters.