On Thursday, April 17, Breck alum Daniel Freitag shocked the collegiate basketball world by announcing his transfer to the University at Buffalo. Having played his freshman year at Wisconsin, Freitag’s decision reflects the broader trend of student-athletes entering the transfer portal.
Last April, facing significant pressure due to recent court rulings on name, image, and likeness (NIL) money, the NCAA changed their rules surrounding post-transfer eligibility. Suddenly, student-athletes could change schools without worrying about losing a year of eligibility, removing a significant barrier that had prevented many transfers in the past. With the added incentive of NIL money, the 2024-25 school year has seen a shocking increase in athletic transfers. This has completely transformed the NCAA, as players chase NIL deals and coaches are left scrambling to build a roster year after year. To give an idea of the frequency and scale of the transfers, the Indiana Men’s Basketball team, a team that competes in the Big Ten conference, does not have any returning players for the 2025-26 season. Teams across the country face similar challenges as coaches shift their attention towards buying the best players rather than team-building.
Whether it be play time, NIL money, or a better relationship with the coaching staff and players, all potential explanations for Freitag’s transfer remain speculation at this time. We wish him good luck in his future endeavors, and can’t wait to see him succeed!
