The NCAA tournament provides two benefits for players. Those from smaller programs earn the privilege to play on a national stage. For players with no eligibility remaining, the games serve as a proper sendoff and the culmination of their careers.
Meanwhile, players like Christian Hammond with eligibility left attempt to use the attention to find a better situation.
Santa Clara Guard Christian Hammond Enters the Transfer Portal
Despite scoring just 9 points against the University of Kentucky in an overtime loss, Hammond decided to take a new path. According to a tweet from The Field of 68, Hammond has left the Broncos.
Santa Clara’s Christian Hammond will enter the transfer portal, he told @TheFieldOf68.
The 6-4 sophomore guard started every game and led the Broncos in scoring (15.6 ppg). He added 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg while shooting 39.3% 3FG. pic.twitter.com/etuwxvK3SA
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 25, 2026
Hammond recorded at least 20 points in 9 of his 34 games this season. For the first time since 1996, Santa Clara advanced to the NCAA tournament. Averaging 15.6 points per game, the Denver native was the team’s leading scorer.
Hammond moved from being a rotational player to becoming the main offensive threat. Last season, he started just 2 games and averaged 12.4 minutes per game.
Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman extolled Hammond’s virtues as an addition that could help multiple programs. “Huge portal entry here,” Goodman wrote on X.
Huge portal entry here. https://t.co/mNWnxTpalG
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 25, 2026
As a combo guard, Hammond combines the ability to create his own shot with an effective driving game. Shooting 48.4% from the field helped Santa Clara rank No. 37 in Division I. His 39.3% accuracy from 3-point range also spreads the defense, enabling ball movement.
Hammond’s impact is clear; as an All-West Coast Conference selection, he can defend both backcourt positions and small forward, as shown by his 1.2 steals per game. His style of play could see him function as the main scoring threat or the catch-and-shoot option on the wing.
One of the hallmarks of most teams still playing in this year’s tournament is their ability to space the floor. This helps with various offenses, from positionless basketball to the half-court sets that dominate the game. Yet Hammond may need to decide whether he wants to start at a high-major school or a larger mid-major, as the competition looks steep.
According to 247 Sports, the men’s college basketball transfer portal is deep with talented guards. For example, players like Davion Hill (Ball State) have skills similar to Hammond’s. Hill, also a combo guard, can rebound and defend multiple positions.
While he did spend three years as a Bronco, Hammond enters the transfer portal with two full seasons of eligibility remaining.
