With Ace Glass officially in the NCAA transfer portal, the star freshman is going to be one of the top targets in the portal. The dynamic offensive threat leaves Washington State after averaging 16.4 points this season.
WSU men’s basketball has had a plethora of talent just over the last four years. The catch is, WSU doesn’t have the NIL money to keep these athletes in the Crimson and Gray. The school that lands Glass will join the list of schools like Florida, Indiana, Maryland, St. Johns, Purdue, Texas Tech and many others that have poached talent from WSU in recent years.
I think there are six teams that make the most sense as landing spots for Glass, broken up into three categories. With three years of eligibility remaining, and experience in a competitive conference, Glass will be at the top of many teams’ target lists.
Front runners:
I think there are two main front runners here, Alabama and Arizona. Both of these teams have become powerhouses, and I think both could offer compelling pitches to Glass. Both these teams are year-over-year contenders, and can back up a Brinks truck to Glass’s front door.
Alabama:
Since head coach Nate Oats took over in 2019, Alabama has become a powerhouse in the SEC. In Oats tenure, Alabama has won two conference tournaments, has two regular season conference titles and has made six straight NCAA Tournaments. The success is evident, but the fit with Alabama has more to do with play style. Alabama loves to score, averaging over 90 points per game in each of the last three seasons. Who else loves to score? Glass does. He would fit right in their system as an offensively gifted guard. He could seamlessly replace Labaron Philon, who will almost certainly be entering the NBA draft.
Arizona:
Arizona just extended head coach Tommy Lloyd, making him one of the five highest paid coaches in college basketball. In five seasons at Arizona, Lloyd has coached the Wildcats to a 148-35 record. They just made their first Final Four appearance since 2021. With Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso graduating, and Brayden Burries most likely declaring for the NBA draft, Arizona is going to need a new ball handler to lead the offense next year. That is where Glass comes in. I think Arizona might have a leg up on Alabama because they are closer to Glass’s hometown and because of Lloyd’s experience at Gonzaga. Glass chose WSU because he felt the coaching staff was the most genuine, and I think Lloyd could use his time spent in eastern Washington as a way to connect with Glass.
Close to home:
The next two schools I could see Glass choosing are USC and Arizona State. Both are predominantly here because they have the advantage of being close to home for Glass. Both schools have missed the NCAA Tournament the last few years and are hungry to get back.
USC:
In what could be a make-or-break year for head coach Eric Musselman next season, I predict that USC is going to try and leave their mark on the transfer portal. USC has the proximity advantage because it is just an hour drive from Glass’s hometown. USC has brought in big names in Musselman’s two years there, such as Alijah Arenas and Chad Baker-Mazara last season. With both players expected to be gone next year, USC needs to go get a new star. Glass could be their guy, returning close to home to be the star for the Trojans.
Arizona State:
After firing Bobby Hurley, Arizona State went out and snagged Randy Bennett from Saint Mary’s to be their new head coach. While it is yet to be seen who Bennett will bring with him to Tempe, ASU could pursue Glass to be their guy. Just a one-hour flight from Glass’s hometown, they have that going for them. With Moe Odum and Anthony Johnson graduating, there is a fresh slate in the Sun Devil backcourt. Bennett played against Glass twice this season in the WCC, and could use that connection to sway him. If they can land Glass and keep freshman center Mossamba Diop, ASU will have an exciting young duo to build around.
Dark Horses:
This next category is two teams that I would be surprised if Glass chose, but certainly have a few things going for them. These teams are Oregon and Maryland. Just your usual pair of conference teams that are on opposite sides of the country… Welcome to college athletics in 2026.
Oregon:
This season was a rare failure for head coach Dana Altman and Oregon. The Ducks finished under .500 for the first time in Altman’s 16-year tenure. People are wondering if he’s lost it, and if retirement is sooner rather than later. I say no. You’re the Oregon Ducks, where NIL money grows on trees. Oregon is due for a major roster shakeup, with every player averaging double-digit scoring leaving. Nathan Bittle and TK Simpkins are graduating, while juniors Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans have entered the transfer portal. Oregon can pitch Glass on staying on the West Coast, with Eugene only a two-hour flight from Glass’s hometown.
They can build the team around Glass, bringing in players that complement him. The main way this would happen is if Oregon writes Glass a Nike shaped check that outbids every other offer. Seems farfetched, but it’s Phil Knight, so who knows.
Maryland:
Maryland has dipped its hands into the WSU roster before, landing Isaiah Watts and Myles Rice last offseason, though Rice was a year removed from playing at WSU. Anyways, the draw here is Glass was originally committed to Maryland head coach Buzz Williams before he left Texas A&M. While Glass decided not to follow him to Maryland, I think there is a slight chance he could reconsider. Maryland is far from Glass’s home, which probably contributed to the reason he did not follow Williams there. However, I think the fans are hungry for more success after tasting the Sweet 16 in 2025, and Maryland may have more NIL to work with. With four seniors graduating who combined to average just under 50 points per game, the Terrapins could use some more scoring. Williams already recruited Glass away from the West Coast once, who says he can’t do it again?
