The transfer portal was created to give athletes more freedom and control over their careers, but for many players, it has become a revolving door of uncertainty rather than opportunity. If you’re leaving a school where you were a starter, had a solid role, and were developing, yet you have no real reason to leave—no significant improvement in opportunity, situation, or exposure—then you’re not necessarily upgrading your career. In fact, you may be hurting it.

For the top 1%—the elite prospects—the transfer portal can be a tool for moving up to a bigger stage. But for the majority of players, it’s a gamble. The reality is that thousands enter the portal each year, but not everyone finds a better landing spot. Many players get lost in the shuffle, end up with fewer opportunities, or even go unsigned.

The key is making informed decisions. Are you transferring because you’re genuinely moving into a better situation? Or are you chasing something that may not exist? Loyalty isn’t the issue—it’s about making a strategic move versus an emotional one.

Players and parents need to understand: the grass isn’t always greener. Stay where you are growing, being developed, and playing. Because at the end of the day, playing time and stability will always be more valuable than hype and uncertainty.