Frain: Ten Underrated Mid-Major Transfers to Watch for

8.) Kolby King – Tulane

With former power-5 transfers Kevin Cross and Jaylen Forbes receiving the brunt of the attention during Tulane’s 10-4 start to the 2023-24 campaign, it’s the offseason’s acquisition of Kolby King that’s flying under-the-radar. After averaging only 1.7 PPG in 26 appearances for St. John’s just a season ago, the 6-foot-2 guard is emerging for the Green Wave averaging career-highs across the board with 15.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 2.1 STLPG.

Only a sophomore, King’s impact on the offense has been evident from the first contest of the season. Notching 22 points in a win over Nicholls State, King built on this initial performance with 18 points against Mississippi State, tying his season-high with 22 points against Southern, and even managing a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists against NAIA Dillard. 

While more recently King scored just five points in a 14-point loss at North Texas, Tulane has all the intangibles to prove competitive in the AAC once again with King leading the backcourt.

7.) Xander Rice – Monmouth

Despite receiving power-5 interest while in the portal this past offseason, Rice transferred from Bucknell to join his father at Monmouth, head coach King Rice. With the Hawks off to a 9-6 start while being selected fourth to last in the CAA’s preseason poll, the father-son combo has been a resounding success early into the 2023-24 campaign.

As Monmouth’s leading scorer, Rice is averaging a career-high 19.5 PPG with a special season potentially brewing in West Long Branch, NJ. In just the Hawks second game of the season, Rice’s 30-point, six-assist performance led a 73-65 upset on the road over West Virginia. 11 days later, 26 points from Rice was enough to push Monmouth to an 88-79 win against Lehigh. With conference play now underway, it’s Rice leading the Hawks to a 2-0 record with 21 points and three assists to defeat Towson, followed by 29 points to defeat Northeastern on Monday night.