As we gear up for the next College Basketball season, let’s break down ten high-profile transfers moving from the mid-major ranks to power-6 pastures this offseason, and what they can provide with their new programs:
10.) Jameer Nelson, Jr. – TCU
The 2022-23 All-CAA First Team selection averaged career-highs across the board last season with Delaware, managing 20.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 2.4 STLPG.
Additionally, he comes paired with NCAA Tournament experience having helped the Fightin’ Blue Hens to the 2022 rendition after earning the CAA Championship title.
9.) Zyon Pullin – Florida
The athletic, do-it-all guard arrives in Gainesville by way of UC-Riverside where Pullin averaged 18.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, all while shooting 49% on FG, 39% from three, and 77% on FT’s.
Building on the success of leading the Highlanders to their best winning percentage in D1 program history, Pullin looks ready for the jump to the next level of College Basketball.
8.) Jordan Minor – Virginia
The 2022-23 Co-NEC Player of the Year and NEC Defensive Player of the Year had been a consistent feature for the past four seasons, helping Merrimack to earn 2020 and 2023 NEC Regular-Season Championships.
Having put together a career-best in 2022/23, Minor averaged 17.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 STLPG, and 2.6 BKPG as the Warriors were prevented from NCAA Tournament contention due to reclassification.
7.) Andrew Taylor – Mississippi State
Another do-it-all type guard, the Marshall transfer and 2022/23 All-Sun Belt First Team selection averaged 20.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 2.1 STLPG this past season.
Taylor fits in well at Mississippi State and with Head Coach Chris Jans’ scheme, his size, crafty scoring, and passing ability could be critical to any SEC success the Bulldogs find this season.
6.) Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
Averaging 20.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG, while shooting 48% from the field and 38% from deep, Knecht has emerged as one of the country’s most elite offensive players since his arrival at Northern Colorado.
However, Tennessee is known as a defensive program. So in order to secure playing time and work his electric offensive game, Knecht will have to develop on the defensive end first.
5.) Aaron Estrada – Alabama
The Crimson Tide and Head Coach Nate Oats dominated the portal this offseason, and nobody better accentuates that then two-time CAA Player of the Year Aaron Estrada joining from Hofstra.
Averaging 20.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 1.5 STLPG this past season, Estrada is an athletic and fast paced guard that’ll have an instant impact on the makeup of Alabama’s backcourt.
4.) RayJ Dennis – Baylor
With the departure of LJ Cryer for Houston this offseason, Dennis’ arrival from Toledo means he’ll likely be thrust into a starting role within this Baylor backcourt for next season.
However, after a season spent averaging 19.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 5.8 APG as the 2022/23 MAC Player of the Year, Dennis is ready for the jump and the leadership role that comes with it.
3.) Grant Nelson – Alabama
Alabama really did dominate the portal this offseason and in Nelson, they’ll get an essentially NBA ready prospect who managed 17.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.7 BKPG last season at North Dakota State.
Nelson can play anywhere on the floor 1-5 and do almost anything offensively, which will undoubtedly make the 6-10 forward one of the more interesting players to watch jump to the SEC this season.
2.) Jordan Dingle – St. John’s
After finishing second in the nation last season with 23.4 PPG as Ivy League Player of the year at Penn, the Long Island, NY native returns home to join St. John’s and Head Coach Rick Pitino.
Dingle is possibly the best scorer in all of College Basketball. He’lll need to continue that scoring prowess alongside Iona transfer and future backcourt mate Daniss Jenkins, for the Johnnies to prove competitive atop the Big East this upcoming season.
1.) Max Abmas – Texas
By now, almost everybody knows about Abmas; the Oral Roberts transfer who’s averaged 20+ PPG for the past three seasons and led the Golden Eagles to the 2021 Sweet Sixteen.
The grad-transfer arrives in Austin, TX after consecutive Summit League Player of the Year awards and now between Abmas and Tyrese Hunter, the Longhorns just might possess the Big 12’s best backcourt.
