High school basketball: Ian Jackson, Darryn Peterson and Bryson Tucker headline impact transfers for 2023-24

By Jordan Divens Aug 31, 2023, 12:00pm

See list that includes over 100 players on the move, including Carter Bryant, Zoom Diallo, Jerry Easter, Jalen Haralson, Jasper Johnson and Tyran Stokes.

Elite high school basketball programs are reloading once again this off-season through the prep version of the transfer portal. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), Southern California Academy (Castaic, Calif.) and Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) are among the teams making the most noise.

Link Academy, Prolific Prep and Huntington Prep and Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.) have made the biggest individual splashes of the off-season. Link Academy added MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Tre Johnson while Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) landed No. 2-ranked Class of 2025 prospect Darryn Peterson and Prolific Prep nabbed top-ranked Class of 2026 prospect A.J. Dybantsa and most recently Our Saviour Lutheran picked up Ian Jackson.

Other top 30 prospects on the move include:

* Zoom Diallo (No. 15, 2024) to Prolific Prep
* Derrion Reid, (No. 23, 2024) to Prolific Prep
* Naas Cunningham (No. 30, 2024) to Southern California Academy
* Jalen Haralson (No. 8, 2025) to La Lumiere
* Jasper Johnson (No. 11, 2025) to Link Academy
* Christopher Nwuli (No. 20, 2025) to Wasatch Academy
* Darius Adams (No. 22, 2025) to La Lumiere
* Jerry Easter (No. 23, 2025) to La Lumiere
* Caleb Gaskins (2026) to Montverde Academy
* Elton James (2026) to Oak Hill Academy



Read on for a look at players known to be on the move. Check back throughout the summer for updates.
Jase Richardson recently announced he would be teaming up with the Boozer brothers at Columbus for his senior year. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
Jase Richardson recently announced he would be teaming up with the Boozer brothers at Columbus for his senior year. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
Darius Acuff, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Five-star prospect earned MaxPreps Michigan Player of the Year honors last season after averaging 21.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest to lead Cass Tech to its first Division I state title.

6-4 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
Previous school: Manasquan (N.J.)
Third team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection averaged 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest to help the Warriors capture the Group 2 state title last year.

6-8 | Wing | 2024 | Arizona
MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 22.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 blocks for the Lightning last year.

6-9 | Forward | 2025 | Undecided
Previous school: Green (Uniontown, Ohio)
One of the biggest stockrisers of the summer circuit went from unranked to a top 25 prospect in the Class of 2025 in the latest rankings update.

David Castillo, Sunrise Christian Academy
6-1 | Guard | 2024 | Kansas State
Previous school: Bartlesville (Okla.)
The high-scoring guard surpassed 1,000 points in just 40 games after putting up big numbers at Bartlesville during his first three seasons.

6-7 | Wing | 2024 | Uncommitted
Previous school: Overtime Elite
Cunningham was previously regarded as the top prospect in the Class of 2024 but after spending a season with Overtime Elite his ranking dropped to No. 30 in the Class of 2024.

Highly regarded Class of 2026 prospect averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds as a freshman. He adds a much needed interior presence for the Spartans.



Previous school: Link Academy
After winning the GEICO Nationals title at Link Academy last season as a sophomore, the four-star guard will step into a more prominent role for a Panthers squad that is looking to replace a number of key pieces.

6-4 | Guard | 2024 | Undecided
MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 20 points, 5.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds to lead the Vikings to their second consecutive Class 4A state championship.

A.J. Dybantsa, Prolific Prep
6-7 | Wing | 2026 | Undecided
Top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026 joins a loaded Prolific Prep squad next season after averaging 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals as a freshman.

6-3 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection helped guide Emmanuel Christian to its first Toledo Area Athletic Conference championship since 1998 after averaging 32.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.1 assists per outing.

Jeremiah Fears, AZ Compass Prep
6-2 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
Quickly rising Class of 2025 prospect averaged 16.3 points per contest last season playing alongside his brother at Joliet West. Fears is one of the top perimeter defenders in high school basketball.

Donnie Freeman, IMG Academy
Earned a spot on the MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention team last season after averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per outing to help St. John's finish the season ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 for the first time in program history.



6-7 | Forward | 2026 | Undecided
Highly-regarded Class of 2026 prospect averaged 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest during his second season of varsity basketball. He will look to find playing time of a loaded Eagles roster next season.

Jeremiah Green, Sunrise Christian Academy
Previous school: Guyer (Denton, Texas)
The four-star guard is expected to be a key piece for a Buffaloes team that lost all major production from last season. Green averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a sophomore.

Previous school: Paul VI
Four-star center transfers to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference rival Gonzaga next season, providing the Eagles with a strong interior presence alongside a talented backcourt.

Davion Hannah, AZ Compass Prep
Previous school: Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)
Top 50 Class of 2025 prospect joins a loaded backcourt for AZ Compass Prep that will look to compete for the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference crown.

Jalen Haralson, La Lumiere
6-6 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
Previous school: Fishers (Ind.)
Third team Maxpreps Junior All-America selection averaged 23.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Tigers, who finished 14-12 in 2022-23.

6-5 | Guard | 2024 | Iowa State
Previous school: St. Rita (Chicago)
The four-star guard had a strong junior campaign last season, averaging 16.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Mustangs.



6-4 | Guard | 2024 | North Carolina
Top 10 Class of 2024 prospect averaged 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists per contest to guide the Cardinals to the CHSAA Class AA title game.

6-2 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection averaged 20.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest to help the Yellowjackets (20-12) reach the Sweet 16 state semifinals.

6-9 | Forward | 2024 | Illinois
Previous school: St. Rita
Top 50 prospect averaged 17.2 points and 12.1 rebounds during his junior campaign for St. Rita to earn first team Chicago Sun-Times all-state honors.

Tre Johnson, Link Academy
6-5 | Guard | 2024 | Undecided
MaxPreps National Junior of the Year averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game to lead Lake Highlands (34-3) to the Class 6A state title and a top 10 national ranking.

6-6 | Wing | 2025 | Undecided
After struggling to maintain consistent playing time on an experienced IMG Academy squad last season, the top 30 prospect joins a talented cast at Oak Ridge.

Chuck Love, La Lumiere
Four-star Class of 2025 prospect averaged 17.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season as a sophomore. Love joins a revamped La Lumiere roster.



6-5 | Wing | 2024 | Undecided
One of the top prospects from the Yellowhammer State joins the NIBC for his senior season after averaging 23.7 points and 6.5 rebounds to help the Wildcats advance to the state title game last year.

Helped guide the Saints to the PIAA Class A title with averages of 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest as a sophomore last season.

Four-star North Carolina State commit had a strong junior campaign for the Raiders, averaging 24.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest.

6-0 | Guard | 2024 | Ohio State
Although Bishop Gorman fell shy of expectations last season, Mobley had a strong junior season with averages of 20.1 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals per outing.

6-6 | Guard | 2026 | Undecided
Regarded as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2026, Nwigwe will spend his sophomore season with a St. Benedict's program that has had elite success over the past two decades.

Christopher Nwuli, Wasatch Academy
6-7 | Guard | 2025 | Undecided
Previous school: Bishop Gorman
The elite athlete has high upside, currently regarded as the No. 34 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports. Nwuli joins his former Bishop Gorman teammate John Mobley in transferring to Wasatch Academy.



Regarded as the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025, Peterson earned first team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honors last season after averaging 31 points, nine rebounds and three steals per outing.

Labaron Philon, Link Academy
6-4 | Guard | 2024 | Undecided
Previous school: Baker (Mobile, Ala.)
MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 35.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 steals per outing to help lead the Hornets (25-7) to the Class 7A state quarterfinals.

Derrion Reid, Prolific Prep
Previous school: Grovetown (Ga.)
Top 25 Class of 2024 prospect adds to an embarrassment of riches in the frontcourt for the Crew. Reid averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest during Nike EYBL Peach Jam action.

6-2 | Guard | 2024 | Undecided
Previous school: Bishop Gorman
The son of former NBA slam dunk contest champion Jason Richardson is carving his own path as a top 50 prospect in the Class of 2024. He recently averaged 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per outing at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

Aiden Sherrell, Prolific Prep
6-10 | Center | 2024 | Undecided
Talented post presence averaged 12.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per contest for Vegas Elite in Nike EYBL regular season action.

Previous school: IMG Academy
Five-star Class of 2024 prospect makes Bishop O'Connell a serious contender for a spot in the MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 rankings after spending the first half of his junior season at IMG Academy.

6-7 | Wing | 2025 | Undecided
Previous school: Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)
The son of basketball hall of famer Dominique Wilkins had a breakout sophomore campaign.



6-6 | Wing | 2026 | Undecided
The son of NBA head coach Monty Williams transfers from Arizona to Michigan after his father was hired by the Detroit Pistons. Williams is regarded as a top five prospect in the Class of 2026.

Robert Wright III, Montverde Academy
6-0 | Guard | 2024 | Baylor
MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 23.1 points, 4.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals to guide the Saint to the Class 4A state title game.

Other notable transfers

Class of 2024
* Christian Anderson, Oak Hill Academy from Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.)
* Seven Bahati, Sunrise Christian Academy from Heritage Christian (Northridge, Calif.)
* Melvin Bell, La Lumiere from St. Rita
* Travelle Bryson, Legacy Early College from Mooresville (N.C.)
* James Brown, Link Academy from St. Rita
* Terry Copeland, Legacy Early College from Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
* Daniel Jacobsen, Brewster Academy from Legacy Early College
* Daniel Johnson, Brewster Academy from Whitney Young (Chicago)
* Larry Johnson Jr., Southern California Academy from Huntington Prep
* Del Jones, AZ Compass Prep from Huntington Prep
* Jordyn Kee, Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) from Legacy Early College
* Kyelin King, Legacy Early College from Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.)
* Royce Parham, Western Reserve Academy from North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
* JJ Rembert, Legacy Early College from Nation Ford (Fort Mill, S.C.)
* Jalen Shelley, Link Academy from Prestonwood Christian
* A.J. Swinton, Bishop O'Connell from Sierra Canyon
* Dellquan Warren, Olympus (Carneys Point, N.J.) from Keystone Academy (Erie, Pa.)
* Jaylen Washington, Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas) from Lake Highlands
* Sammie Yeanay, AZ Compass Prep from The Rock

Class of 2025
* Spencer Ahrens, Sunrise Christian Academy from St. Martin Secondary (Canada)
* Dwayne Aristode, Brewster Academy from International
* Adlan Elamin, Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) from Bishop O'Connell
* Winters Grady, Prolific Prep from Lake Oswego (Ore.)
* Kellen Hampton, Southern California Academy from Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.)
* Wyatt Norton, Bishop O'Connell from James Madison (Vienna, Va.)
* Eric Reibe, Bullis (Potomac, Md.) from International
* T.J. Stuttley, Link Academy from Onalaska (Wis.)
* Carlsheon Young, Huntington Prep from Newcastle (Okla.)

Class of 2026
* Kayden Allen, Montverde Academy from Grayson
* Franck Belibi, Sunrise Christian Academy from Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)
* Tim Winkler, Oak Ridge from IMG Academy Blue
* Imahri Wooten, AZ Compass Prep from Redemption Christian Academy (Troy, N.Y.)