The ways of college recruiting have certainly changed over the past couple of years.

There was a time when recruiters were actually inside the gyms looking for the next high school player, which could possibly change their program's landscape.

Two years ago, the country was hit with one of the most devastating viruses known as COVID-19. This hiccup would be the dawn of a new era where college recruiting heavily relied on what we know as the Transfer Portal.

The Transfer Portal was launched by the NCAA back in 2018, and its primary use was for players from all divisions to have the opportunity to transfer to another college. 

Greg Johnson with NCAA's Champion Magazine stated that the portal was a tool created to manage the transfer process and empower student-athletes to make known their desire to consider other programs.

Before COVID, athletes that entered the portal were required to sit out a year, but due to the battle with the virus, the NCAA decided to expand the one-time transfer exception to all sports in 2021, allowing athletes to switch schools and be eligible immediately.

Having the freedom to transfer to any school without sitting out a year would cause the numbers for basketball players to surge. 

According to data from Verbal Commits, nearly 1,800 men's basketball players entered the transfer portal during the off-season, compared to the previous season of 942 transfers.

Paul Biancardi, National Recruiting Director for ESPN and College Basketball & NBA draft analyst, shared his thought on how the Transfer Portal was operated.

"I am okay with players transferring and playing right away, but it has caused a little bit of chaos in roster management for programs," he said. 

Biancardi believes that things will settle down soon with the portal.

"There will be transfers that don't work out, and I think that will show others to think long and hard before they look to leaving; as long as a player has a plan and a real purpose, things should work out."

As a college athlete, the Transfer Portal looks like the place to be, and as a college coach, it is a dream to recruit players already familiar with the game and life at the college level. 

But on the outside looking in, the Transfer Portal does have its confusing moments, and the typical parent or average person may struggle with the entire concept as far as recruiting goes.

William Payne, an athletic director for WESC in Virginia, has prestige knowledge in recruiting as a former college coach and player. 

Payne stated that the transfer portal is one of the most misunderstood aspects of college athletics today.

"I fully support the ability for players to be able to transfer, and I think it's a positive overall," he said. "The biggest misconception about the portal is that it is simply a bunch of players that are quitters, looking for an easy way out, but the reality is that there are many instances of players being "highly encouraged" to leave it being blatantly told they are not going to be welcomed back."

Entering the Transfer Portal does have its upside, but it is still a risk.

Pros and Cons of the Transfer Portal

Like anything new and innovative, there are always some ups and downs. We reached out to Lewis Shine, a well-respected consultant for basketball coaches who have experience playing, coaching, and even owning a pro team, for more clear and concise information.

Coach Shine stated that sometimes players get caught in a bad situation, and the portal gives them another chance to have a fresh start. 

"I have personally helped a player that had to go into the portal to find a school for their grad year because their school did not have a grad program. So, I do believe that the portal can be positive and useful for both players and coaches," he said.

Coach Shine also says that he is now seeing how opportunities once available for high school players are currently limited because of the portal. This hurts them but can be a great thing because it causes them to work harder and take initial offers and interests with high consideration.

Through the Eyes of a College Coach

One of the best aspects of the portal is the simple life of recruiting. The game has moved into an era where the work of social media has become a top tool for recruiting and some would say because of the portal, being inside the gym has slowly become an afterthought.

To get a more in-depth answer on how current college coaches feel about the portal, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Pensacola State College Sagar Kapoor gave a great perspective on the matter.

"I think the landscape of college basketball has changed. In the past, it was about getting a player that you can develop over time, and hopefully, by his junior year, he's a starter. Now I think people want older and more experienced guys on the court as well as experienced guys who have experience in doing college life," Coach Kapoor says.

He also believes that there is an adjustment for high school kids that go to college because it's their first time away from home, freedom away from parents, learning time management and organizational skills, etc. 

"They are expected to be adults (and they may not be ready yet) and compete at a high level on the basketball court too," he says. "Coaches at the college level have the pressure of winning and winning now, so if a more experienced player is what they believe will help them win, then that's what they will go with."

Effecting the Average High School Player?

All eyes have been locked on the Transfer Portal; whether college football or basketball, it has definitely become the mecca of recruiting. 

But how does this affect the average high school player that is hoping for that chance to play ball at the next level?

"Do I think it hurts high school players? Primarily in the sense of it pushing the average high school recruits further down the pecking order of the recruiting landscape," Coach Payne says.

"I think spots are limited in college, so it definitely hurts high school opportunities in that regard," Coach Kapoor said. But he can also look at it from a different perspective.

"A high school player can use the transfer portal as motivation to work harder and truly earn a scholarship in which a college coach can't say no to the player's skillset and character."

Biancardi stated that the portal definitely hurts the high school player along with Covid, giving players another year of eligibility. 

"There are just a few scholarships to go around, and coaches are always going to look for a transfer now because it's a proven and experienced player that can help right away," he explained.

"High school players have to be patient in the recruiting process and not take it for granted,"