Although the men’s NCAA basketball transfer portal does not officially open until April 7, Cal basketball has already been dealt a one-two punch. Both sophomore guard Justin Pippen and junior guard Dai Dai Ames announced their intention to enter the portal, their representatives told On3. With the likely departure of Pippen and Ames, Cal stands to lose its entire starting five to both the portal and eligibility. Ames led all Cal scorers this season with 16.9 points per game, with Pippen just behind him at 14.2 points per game as well as leading the team with 4.6 assists per game. After the Bears’ 2025-26 season ended with a 19-point blown lead in the second round of the NIT, head coach Mark Madsen made clear one of the program’s biggest focuses in the offseason: retention. Read more through the link in bio. ✍️: Nick Fletcher 📸: Kai Bloom . . . #ucberkeley #dailycal #berkeley #basketball #cal