College Basketball Transfer Portal: 5 sleepers Houston should target

The Houston Cougars have most of their roster returning except Jamal Shead, who declared for the 2024 NBA draft. Starters like LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and J'Wan Roberts are expected to reprise their positions next season as well.

Houston and coach Kelvin Sampson are exploring the transfer portal for point guard additions, and here are a few of our picks.

5 sleepers Houston should target in the transfer portal

#1 A.J. Hoggard

After four seasons at Michigan State, Hoggard entered the portal on Friday. In his senior season, the guard averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists. A.J. Hoggard also has his eyes on the pro league but has chosen to stay in college for now.

“I think he would like to get into pro ball,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said about Hoggard. “Whether that be Europe, whether that be the G League. But nowadays, everybody will look at college, too, depending on offers from different places.”

Hoggard fits the bill for the Cougars program, which needs an experienced scorer who can immediately join and impact its starting line-up.

#2 Javon Small

Oklahoma State's Jovan Small averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in the 2023 season. His presence on the roster helped the Cowboys take on one of the toughest conferences.

Following the firing of former OSU coach Mike Boynton, Small entered the transfer portal. The guard's jump in performance each year has been impressive, and he would be an asset on offense for Houston.

#3 Wooga Poplar

The junior season was Poplar's best, as he averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.6%. At the start of the season, the former Miami Hurricanes guard had a lot of buzz going around him, and he lived up to the expectations until his injury in December.

Since then, the guard has tried to maintain a good average. He is a reliable shooter who can score in double digits on most occasions.

#4 DJ Wagner

The former five-star recruit was expected to deliver for Kentucky in his freshman season. However, Wagner was inconsistent and averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists.

His poor outing affected his draft stock, and unlike his fellow freshmen, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, DJ Wagner did not declare for the draft. The combo guard has not revealed his new team yet, and some expect him to join his former coach, John Calipari, at Arkansas. However, that has been refuted.

#5 Pop Isaacs

The Texas Tech Red Raiders point guard averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his sophomore season. His playmaking and scoring skills will make him an important asset to Houston.

Pop Isaacs had nine 20-point or more games this season and can be coach Sampson's most reliable scorer as Houston tries to navigate the Jamal Shead-less era.

Who are your picks to join the Cougars? Let us know in the comment section.