Between the nation’s top ranked team in No. 1 Purdue and… Nebraska? The Big Ten has a pair of undefeated powerhouses leading the charges followed by several of the nation’s top programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and more.Â
With the Big Ten primed for yet another successful season on the basketball court, let’s take a look at the top 10 transfer portal pickups from within the conference this past offseason.
1.) Kel’el Ware – Indiana
2.) Olivier Nkamhoua – Michigan
The Helsinki, Finland native and Tennessee transfer is having a career-year since arriving in Ann Arbor, averaging 17.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 3.1 APG as the Wolverines second-leading scorer.
3.) Ben Krikke – Iowa
The Hawkeyes leading scorer arrived from Valparaiso this past offseason and has picked up in the Big Ten right where he left off in the MVC, averaging 18.7 PPG and 4.6 RPG.
4.) Rienk Mast – Nebraska
The former Bradley Brave is averaging a career-best double-double of 14.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 2.9 APG, and recently managed a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double against Oregon State.
5.) Qudus Wahab – Penn State
The two-time transfer is averaging 10 PPG and 9.6 RPG, already contributing a trio of double-double performances including 11 points and 18 rebounds in a win over Lehigh.
6.) Ace Baldwin, Jr. – Penn State
Alongside head coach Mike Rhoades, Baldwin was bested by his former program VCU last week despite a contribution of 27 points from the 2022-23 A-10 Player of the Year. Baldwin is currently averaging 14 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.3 APG as the Nittany Lions second best scoring option.
7.) Brice Williams – Nebraska
A 2022-23 All-Conference USA selection at Charlotte, Williams is now averaging 14.6 PPG, 4.3 PPG, 2.4 APG for the Cornhuskers while shooting 42% from three-point range.
8.) Noah Fernandes – Rutgers
A former Wichita State and UMass transfer, Fernandes is averaging 9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.5 APG as a Scarlet Knight, adding a season-high 19 points in Monday’s win over Saint Peter’s.
9.) Elijah Hawkins – Minnesota
The Howard transfer has proven a physical addition to the Golden Gophers guard rotation, averaging 8.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 1.3 STLPG.
10.) Jamison Battle – Ohio State
An inter-conference transfer who spent time at George Washington and Minnesota, Battle is averaging 12.4 PPG and 4.4 RPG while recently managing a season-high 21 points to help defeat Santa Clara.
