Former Rutgers Transfers Debut With New Teams
Several players who left Rutgers made their first appearances for new programs on opening night Monday.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Former Rutgers basketball transfers made their debuts with new teams on opening night Monday, including Dylan Grant, who started for Charlotte in a 78-70 win over Indiana State. Derek Simpson's petition for a temporary restraining order against the NCAA was rejected.
Why it matters
The debuts mark the first on-court look at how Rutgers' departing players are performing elsewhere as the 2026-27 season begins. The rejected petition leaves Simpson's bid to play a fifth season of eligibility with Providence unresolved.
Antonio Chol scored 13 points for UC Santa Barbara in an 85-55 win over Division II San Francisco State, while Antwone Woolfolk scored 8 for Miami of Ohio in an 86-77 win over James Madison. Bryce Dortch played five minutes in Notre Dame's 74-70 win over Villanova in Italy.
The players
Derek Simpson
Simpson is a former Rutgers player who sought a fifth season of eligibility with Providence and filed a petition against the NCAA for a temporary restraining order, which was rejected.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the governing body for college sports in the United States, and it was the target of Simpson's rejected restraining order petition.
The details
Baye Fall scored 5 points for Fresno State in an 88-79 win over Division II Fresno Pacific, and Denis Badalau did not make his debut in Towson's 89-70 loss to Santa Clara. Chris Nwuli will not play with Seton Hall this winter as he works through personal issues back home.
Timeline
Monday: Former Rutgers transfers made their debuts with new teams on opening night.
Friday: Rutgers opens its 2026-27 season.
Season Trajectory
The wave of former Rutgers transfers reflects the continuing movement of players through the NCAA transfer portal, and Simpson's rejected petition tests whether eligibility rules will allow additional seasons for players who have moved programs. Early opening-night results give the first measure of how these transfers are fitting into new rotations across Division I.
Fantasy and roster watchers can track how former Rutgers players are used in their new rotations, beginning with the minutes and scoring totals reported from opening night. Simpson's rejected restraining order means his eligibility remains unsettled for anyone following his situation.
The takeaway
Opening-night numbers for transfers are an early signal, and a few games will show whether these players settle into larger roles. Tracking minutes and scoring over the next week gives a clearer picture than any single debut.
What happens next
Rutgers opens its 2026-27 season on Friday.
Further reading
For more on the college game, explore Basketball coverage across the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
