Frain: 10 Transfer Guards You Need to Watch

8.) Javian McCollum – Oklahoma

On a team loaded with former top-100 prospects including Kaden Cooper, Otega Oweh, Milos Uzan, and John Hugley, it’s the former Siena guard and 2022-23 All-MAAC Third Team selection leading a 14-3 record. Averaging a team-leading 14.9 PPG while sitting second in assists at 4.0 APG, McCollum’s presence in the backcourt has been critical since the opening tip off of the Sooners 2023-24 season.

To start the campaign 1-0, it was McCollum leading a win over Central Michigan with a game-high 19 points and just before the end of the month he’d contribute another game-high of 18 points to see out a 72-70 win over USC. While Big 12 play saw the Sooners battle through a tough road stretch for a 2-2 start, the jump from the MAAC to the high-major level hasn’t phased McCollum.

7.) Jaylen Murray – Ole Miss

Another former MAAC guard finding success in making the jump to the high-major ranks, Murray is averaging a career-high 14.6 PPG and 3.8 APG for new Rebels head coach Chris Beard. On a transfer heavy roster, his emergence has been the key factor in leading Ole Miss to two separate national rankings this season, and a 13-0 run to start the season.

At just 5-foot-11, Murray is undersized and coming from a smaller program like Saint Peter’s, wasn’t picked to find much success in the physical SEC. Yet, Murray has almost thrived since arriving in Oxford, securing initial wins over Memphis and Mount Saint Mary’s with back-to-back 20+ point efforts. Come conference play, Murray’s 12 points and eight assists were pivotal in a win over Florida before dropping 23 points in a tight road loss to LSU on Wednesday.