With the transfer portal still remaining as active as ever receiving new commitments almost daily, the Big 12 has made quite a splash thus far with several big-name signees opting to join a reloading conference. While multiple prospects are still being recruited by and are expected to commit to Big 12 programs and coaches, let’s break down some of the top incoming transfers set to arrive in the conference ahead of next season.
1. Fardaws Aimaq – Texas Tech
One of the most coveted players in this offseason’s portal, Aimaq will be a huge transfer addition to a stellar recruitment class being put together by Texas Tech head coach Mark Adams, should the Vancouver native return to college basketball. A 6-foot-11 forward, Aimaq played one season at Mercer before transferring to Utah Valley where as a redshirt junior he would average 18.9 PPG and 13.6 RPG earning a second consecutive WAC Defensive Player of the Year award.
2. Osun Osunniyi – Iowa State
Osun Osunniyi joins the Cyclones from St. Bonaventure and brings a plethora of experience and accolades including three-time All-Atlantic-10 selection, two-time A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, 2021 A-10 Tournament MVP, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. A 6-foot-9 forward, Osunniyi averaged 11.3 PPG and 7.5 RPG last season with the Bonnies and led the conference in BKPG with 2.9 and 94 total blocks on the season.
3. Kevin McCullar – Kansas
Transfering in-conference, Kevin McCullars announced just yesterday that he would be teaming up with head coach Bill Self and the National Champions of Kansas ahead of the 2022-23 season but will focus on testing the NBA Draft waters for now. McCullar joins the Jayhawks with Big 12 experience having started the past two seasons at Texas Tech where he averaged 10.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 5.2 APG while helping the Red Raiders to two NCAA Tournaments across those two years.
4. Jaren Holmes – Iowa State
The second St. Bonaventure standout to transfer to Iowa State this offseason, Jaren Holmes marks a big pickup for the Cyclones and head coach TJ Otzelberger who have now acquired an experienced, veteran ball-handler that can lead the offense. Holmes averaged 13.5 PPG, 5 RPG, and 3.6 APG as a senior starting all 33 games for the Bonnies and earning a spot on the top-20 scorers and top-10 assisters in the A-10 conference.
5. Emmitt Matthews Jr. – West Virginia
Making his return to the Big 12 and subsequently West Virginia, Matthews spent last season in the Pac-12 with Washington where he averaged 11.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG seeing an improvement in production from his first three seasons under Bob Huggins. With one year of eligibility remaining the 6-foot-7 forward brings the Mountaineers an athletic defender, rebounder, and scorer who managed 43% from the field and 34% from three last season.
6. John-Michael Wright – Oklahoma State
John-Michael Wright arrives at Stillwater via the Big South Conference having earned 2020 Big South All-Freshman honors and being selected as a two-time All-Big South honoree for High Point where he averaged 18.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 3.4 APG last season. After averaging 20.7 PPG as a sophomore, Wright led the Big South in scoring as a junior and was top-10 in assists, having produced more than 5+ career double-doubles for the Panthers.
7. De’Vion Harmon – Texas Tech
A former top-50 prospect with the Class of 2019, De’Vion Harmon will be transferring for the third time in his career and returning to the Big 12 with Texas Tech as another important pickup from the transfer portal for Mark Adams. Harmon spent two seasons with Oklahoma before moving to the Pac-12 to play for Oregon where he averaged 10.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG in 34 starts and 35 appearances for the Ducks.
Honorable Mentions:
Tre Mitchell – West Virginia (8.7 PPG / 4 RPG / 1.3 APG)
After two seasons at UMass and one at Texas, the 2019-20 A-10 ROY transfers in-conference.
Caleb Asberry – Oklahoma State (13.6 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.1 APG)
Two-time All-Sun Belt selection joins from Texas State with two years of eligibility remaining.
Russell Harrison – Oklahoma State (13.1 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 1.3 APG)
6-foot-7 guard and former JUCO star leaves Louisiana-Monroe for his graduate season.
