Under-recruited wing used the transfer portal to level up — the right way
A JUCO wing averaging 18 and 6 who entered the portal with 850 other guards. We built him a positioning package, targeted the right level of programs, and got him committed to a mid-major D1 before spring signing closed.
- Athlete
- Jalen C. · JUCO transfer · Class of 2025
- Position
- Wing · 6'6"
- Home
- Texas
- Aid value
- Full ride athletic scholarship
18.2 / 6.1
JUCO PPG / RPG
31 programs
Portal contacts
9
Serious conversations
3 D1, 4 D2
Written offers
Where they started
The situation
- Entered the portal with zero prior D1 interest
- Highlight tape was JUCO game film, not a coach-friendly cut
- No agent, no NIL rep, no plan — just hope
- Only 4 weeks until spring signing period ended
The plan we ran
What we actually did
Step 1
Built a coach-ready portal package
One-page profile: measurables, film, three references, academic status, remaining eligibility. Sent as a PDF — not a link — so coaches could open it on their phone in 20 seconds.
Step 2
Targeted programs with actual need
Researched which mid-majors lost wings to the portal or graduation. He contacted 31 programs where he could realistically play — not 200 he'd never hear from.
Step 3
Coached him through visits
Three official visits in three weeks. Prepped questions about role, minutes, NIL structure, academic support, and the exact position he'd play.
Step 4
Negotiated the offer
Kept two offers alive during his top-choice's decision window. When the offer came, it included a summer housing allowance he hadn't asked for.
The turning point
On his second visit, the head coach ran a full film session showing exactly where Jalen fit in next year's offense. That's when he knew.
The result
Where they ended up
- Committed 8 days before the portal window closed
- Full D1 scholarship at a program that runs an offense built for his game
- Two years of eligibility with a real path to postseason play
- Family paying zero out-of-pocket for the remaining degree
"The portal is chaos. Coach Kito brought order. Four months later my son is a D1 basketball player at a program that actually wants him."
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