3 transfer portal centers Utah basketball should target

It was no secret that throughout the 2025-26 campaign, Utah lacked a true post-scoring, rim-running center with the ability to make plays on both ends of the floor.

Partly by design and partly out of need, the Runnin' Utes were very guard-dominant, with Terrence Brown and Don McHenry running the show, and struggled to protect the paint due to their lack of size in the frontcourt. In fact, Utah ranked No. 318 nationally in 2-point field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot 54.6% from inside the arc, and were No. 166 in blocks per game (3.4).

If those figures are to change for the better in 2026-27, it'll be because Utah general manager Wes Wilcox acquired the height and paint presence the team needs to be more competitive in the Big 12 via the transfer portal. Even though 6-foot-9 center Babacar Faye is set to return after missing last season due to injury, the Utes need more size on the interior if they're to hang with their conference counterparts.

We've identified three big men the Utes should target in the portal, with an emphasis on their ability to score in the paint, rebound and defend the rim. And as an added bonus, all three are international players, continuing the trend of having foreign flavor on the roster.

Anton Bonke (Charlotte)

Charlotte 49ers center Anton Bonke (49). | Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Anton Bonke is likely going to draw attention from several high-major programs on the open market (if he hasn't already). The 7-foot-2, 260 pound center from Vanuatu is ranked as the No. 7 player at his position on 247Sports' transfer portal rankings after putting up 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for the 49ers this past season.

Not only is Bonke coming off a productive season, but an efficient one too. He finished No. 2 in the American in 2-point field goal percentage (61.8%) and No. 3 in the league with a 22.8 player efficiency rating. The former junior college standout and Providence transfer also grabbed the fourth-most rebounds (281), rejected the fourth-most shots in the American (51) and flashed his 3-point shooting stroke every now and then, as he went 13-of-38 (34.2%) from long range.

Utah, which converted 51.5% of its attempts from inside the arc as a team this past season, could use a big man with the touch and footwork Bonke possesses around the low block. Acquiring someone of his caliber would likely cost a pretty penny, though if the Utes are willing to loosen the purse strings for any center, it should be Bonke.

Ben Defty (Boston College)

Boston University Terriers forward Ben Defty (14). | James Lang-Imagn Images

Ben Defty might not be the most athletic big featured on this list, but his effectiveness around the rim is undeniable. The 7-footer from Germany tallied the second-best 2-point field goal percentage of any Patriot League player (69.4%) as he totaled 197 made shots from inside the arc, third-most in the conference.

Defty, who was a sophomore in 2025-26, took major steps forward in a lot of areas of his game, including his scoring touch, from his freshman season. An increase in playing time allowed him to up his free throw rate (1.7 to 4.7 attempts per game), rip down more rebounds (2.6 to 6.8 per game) and develop his passing abilities (0.5 to 1.9 assists per game), as well as pave the way for more touches on the low block.

After putting up 4.9 points per contest as a freshman, Defty recorded 15.1 per game while starting 33 games for the Terriers. His all-around efforts helped earn him All-Patriot League second team honors.

Simply put: If the Utes want a big man to throw the ball to on the low block and let him operate, Defty would be a worthy candidate to fill that role.

Chol Machot (College of Charleston)

This one might seem a little out in left field compared to Bonke and Defty, but make no mistake: Chol Machot would be a major difference maker for the Utes at the "5" spot.

Machot's style of play is much different than the previous ones discussed on this list, making his potential fit with Utah that much more intriguing. Unlike Bonke and Defty, the 7-footer from Australia is very capable of moving in space and putting the ball on the deck from the perimeter, opening up the floor for his teammates and creating favorable matchups when less-athletic big men are guarding him. He hasn't shown to be a knockdown 3-point shooter (27.3% on 22 total attempts), but it's an area of his game that could improve with time and reps.

Either way, Utah could benefit from having a center with the versatility and athleticism Machot brings to the table. The reigning Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year is coming off averaging 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and a conference-best 2.5 blocks while shooting 63.6% from 2-point range for the Cougars.

As the No. 6-ranked center on 247Sports' transfer rankings, Machot is likely to garner interest from multiple top-end programs (if he hasn't already). But that shouldn't deter Utah from joining the mix, considering what Machot can do on both ends of the floor.