Latvian basketball players Roberts Blūms and Rihards Vāvers have announced their transfers to new NCAA programs for the upcoming season, marking a significant shift in their collegiate careers. Both athletes entered the transfer portal following successful seasons with their previous teams and have committed to new schools that offer increased competition and exposure.
Roberts Blūms, a 20-year-old shooting guard from Riga, Latvia, will join the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference after spending two seasons with the Davidson Wildcats. During his time at Davidson, Blūms averaged 12.4 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range and pulling down 3.4 rebounds per contest. His best performance came in the final game of the season, where he scored 22 points despite Davidson’s loss in the NCAA Tournament first round to Oklahoma State.
Blūms’ decision to transfer comes after registering his name in the NCAA transfer portal at the finish of the season, a move that allows him to explore opportunities with other collegiate programs. His recruitment has drawn attention due to his scoring ability and experience playing internationally for Latvia’s youth national teams, including a gold medal and MVP honors at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B.
Meanwhile, Rihards Vāvers is transferring from Washington State University to the University of Memphis, where he will play under former NBA player Penny Hardaway. Vāvers spent three seasons with the Washington State Cougars, averaging 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game during the 2025-2026 season, which he described as his most statistically productive year in college basketball.
Both transfers highlight the growing trend of international athletes utilizing the NCAA transfer portal to seek better athletic and academic opportunities. The portal deadline for basketball players is set for April 21, giving athletes a limited window to finalize their decisions before the next season begins.
Blūms’ move to Penn State places him in one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences, where he will face stiff competition for playing time and contribute to a program aiming to make deeper NCAA Tournament runs. His ability to shoot from long range and create his own shot could provide valuable depth to the Nittany Lions’ backcourt.
For Vāvers, joining Memphis offers a chance to play in a high-tempo system under Hardaway, who has successfully developed several guards into professional prospects. The Tigers have been active in the transfer portal this offseason, looking to bolster their roster with experienced players who can contribute immediately.
The transfers come at a time when NCAA basketball is seeing increased player mobility, with more athletes than ever exploring new opportunities through the transfer portal. International players like Blūms and Vāvers are becoming increasingly valuable commodities due to their diverse skill sets and experience competing against high-level international competition.
As both players prepare for their new teams, they will need to adapt to different coaching styles, offensive systems, and defensive expectations. Blūms will appear to establish himself in the Big Ten, widely regarded as one of the top conferences in the nation, while Vāvers aims to help Memphis return to national prominence in Conference USA.
The upcoming season will be crucial for both athletes as they seek to elevate their games and potentially improve their professional basketball prospects. Their performances will be closely watched by scouts and fans alike, particularly given their international backgrounds and the growing globalization of college basketball.
For continued updates on Roberts Blūms, Rihards Vāvers, and other transferring athletes, fans can follow official team announcements and NCAA transfer portal reports as the offseason progresses toward the start of the 2026-2027 college basketball season.
