It’s never too early to start looking ahead!
Check below for our list of 30 impact transfers for the 2022-23 college basketball season.
In no particular order:
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas (Michigan): This 7-2 big man is tailor made for Bill Self’s system. After three productive seasons at Michigan, Dickinson arrives in Lawrence with monumental expectations. He averaged 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds during the past two seasons in Ann Arbor.
Harrison Ingram, North Carolina (Stanford): A former five-star prospect, Ingram never got into a rhythm at Stanford, but hopes to turn a corner in Chapel Hill. The 6-7 forward averaged 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during the first two years of his college career, but only shot 31.6 percent from three-point range during that span.
Jahvon Quinerly, Memphis (Alabama): The Tigers’ ability to land Quinerly out of the transfer portal over the summer completely changed their potential trajectory for the 2023-24 season. The veteran floor general has four years of college experience and averaged 16.8 points during Alabama’s final four games of last season. Quinerly should be an instant hit at FedEx Forum.
Max Abmas, Texas (Oral Roberts): For years, people have wondered how Abmas’ scoring ability would translate to the power conference level. Now we’ll finally find out. The 6-foot guard has averaged 21.9 points or more in each of the past three seasons and should pair nicely with Tyrese Hunter in the Longhorns’ backcourt.
Jordan Dingle, St. John’s (Penn): The nation’s second-leading scoring a year ago, Dingle’s decision to commit to St. John’s last spring completely altered the makeup of the Red Storm’s initial recruiting class under Rick Pitino. While he may not average 23.4 points like he did a year ago at Penn, the 6-3 Dingle should still be a major factor in the Big East.
Chris Ledlum, St. John’s (Harvard): If Ledlum played at a power conference program during the first four years of his college career, he’d have regularly been compared to Grant Williams. Undersized yet incredibly effective, the 6-7 power forward averaged 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, including a 17-point, nine-rebound performance against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. Ledlum was a critical get for St. John’s.
Cam Spencer, UConn (Rutgers): Dan Hurley needed a veteran presence on the perimeter to play in between five-star freshman Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton. He found one in Spencer. The 6-4 grad transfer averaged 13.2 points last season for Rutgers while shooting an impressive 43.4 percent from three-point range. He’ll make a major impact for the Huskies with his ability to space the floor.
LJ Cryer, Houston (Baylor): A walking bucket, the 6-1 Cryer left Baylor after three years to play for the Cougars as they transition to the Big 12. He’ll form a strong perimeter combo with Jamal Shead in Houston’s backcourt. Cryer averaged 15 points last season while making 80 three-point shots and shooting 41.5 percent from long distance.
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga (Creighton): Mark Few was 7-2 in NCAA Tournament games with Andrew Nembhard in his program and he hopes that same type of success will follow his brother. Ryan Nembhard arrives in Spokane to inherit the keys to the car for a Gonzaga team that lost both Drew Timme and Julian Strawther following last season’s run to the Elite Eight.
Arthur Kaluma, Kansas State (Creighton): Kansas State is quickly becoming a landing spot for high level transfers and Kaluma’s commitment is a perfect example. The 6-7 forward was a starter at Creighton last season, but opted to join the Wildcats in hopes of filling the void that Keyontae Johnson left behind. Kaluma averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds during his two seasons with the Bluejays.
Tylor Perry, Kansas State (North Texas): How does Jerome Tang plan to replace Markquis Nowell? This guy. After two high-level years at North Texas, Perry arrives at Kansas State with the ability to be a major factor in the Big 12. Perry shot over 41 percent from three-point range during each of the past two seasons.
Tre Mitchell, Kentucky (West Virginia): The Wildcats will be Mitchell’s third program in the last three years, but his presence is essential for a young team that lacks proven college experience on the interior. Expect the 6-9 forward to log major minutes for Kentucky and provide a different offensive look thanks to his ability to face the basket and stretch the floor.
Caleb Love, Arizona (North Carolina): It’s going to be really interesting to see how Love — who took 88 more shots than anyone else on North Carolina’s roster last season — fits in Tommy Lloyd’s high-octane system. If he embraces it, he’s on track to be one of the best guards in the sport. Remember: Two years ago in 2022, Love’s shot making ability was a primary reason why North Carolina advanced to the national title game before losing to Kansas.
Jaden Bradley, Arizona (Alabama): Bradley was a starter on a team that earned a No. 1 seed in last season’s NCAA Tournament and now heads to Tucson with the hopes of having a bigger role. Like Love, he too should flourish in the Wildcats’ fast paced attack.
Keshad Johnson, Arizona (San Diego State): Johnson had 14 points and four rebounds in the Aztecs’ loss to UConn in the national title game prior to entering the transfer portal. He’ll now look to provide the same type of toughness and intangibles for the Wildcats. The 6-7 Johnson averaged 7.7 points and five rebounds last season for San Diego State.
Aaron Estrada, Alabama (Hofstra): After one season at Oregon during the middle of his college career, Estrada returns to the power conference level following two productive seasons at Hofstra where he averaged 19.4 points. He’ll need to provide offensive pop for a perimeter that lost Brandon Miller to the NBA Draft.
Grant Nelson, Alabama (South Dakota State): Super skilled and cerebral, the 6-11 Nelson should flourish in Nate Oats’ “NBA style” of an offense. The 6-11 big man averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds last season at North Dakota State prior to transferring. He should be one of top newcomers in the SEC during the 2023-24 season.
Ke’lel Ware, Indiana (Oregon): A year ago, Ware was pegged as a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Today, he’s trying to recalibrate his game after averaging just 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds as a freshman at Oregon. He’ll be expected to fill a major void for Indiana up front after the Hoosiers lost Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Tyler Burton, Villanova (Richmond): The 6-7 Burton would have been one of the leading candidates for Atlantic 10 Player of the Year if he stayed at Richmond. Instead, he’ll be a major part of Villanova’s resurgence in the Big East. Strong, skilled, and cerebral, Burton should be a perfect fit for the Wildcats’ traditional “four-out” attack. He averaged 19 points and 7.4 rebounds last season for the Spiders.
Hakim Hart, Villanova (Maryland): Like Burton, Hart is a proven player that boasts tangible college experience. A Philadelphia native, the 6-8 Hart averaged 11.4 points and 4.1 rebounds as a starter for a Maryland team that won a game in the NCAA Tournament last season. He should feel right at home on the Main Line.
TJ Bamba, Villanova (Washington State): If you’ve stayed up late on the East Coast and watched Pac-12 games, you know just how good Bamba is. Armed with tremendous size at 6-5 and 215 pounds, Bamba brings physicality and toughness to the wing position. He also brings scoring. Bamba averaged 15.8 points and shot 37.2 percent from three-point range last season at Washington State.
Matthew Cleveland, Miami (Florida State): If you’re a talented guard, Miami is on the short list of schools that you’d want to play for. Cleveland should be a perfect fit in Coral Gables as the 6-7 wing should blend in seamlessly as a small ball power forward after Jordan Miller’s departure.
Kerr Kriisa, West Virginia (Arizona): Kriisa initially transferred to Morgantown to play for Bob Huggins, but opted to remain and play for interim head coach Josh Eilert following Huggins’ resignation over the summer. His confidence, shotmaking ability, and swagger should be a perfect fit for West Virginia.
Jesse Edwards, West Virginia (Syracuse): The presence of Edwards is the main reason why the Mountaineers should have a chance to remain in the middle of the Big 12 during the upcoming season. A 6-11 center, Edwards is an elite rim protector and averaged 2.8 blocks over the past two seasons. He also averaged a double-double — 14.5 points and 10.3 rebounds — last season for Syracuse.
Reese Dixon-Waters, San Diego State (USC): Last season’s Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year, Dixon-Waters should add major scoring punch pop on the perimeter for a San Diego State team that lost Matt Bradley. He averaged 13 points and 4.5 rebounds in two postseason games last spring.
Khalif Battle, Arkansas (Temple): Eric Musselman has worked magic with transfers in the past and Battle figures to be next in line. A high-level scorer during the past few seasons at Temple, Battle now comes to Fayetteville with the hopes of finally playing in the NCAA Tournament. He’s averaged 15 points or more in each of the past three seasons.
Tramon Mark, Arkansas (Houston): Mark was a starter on a Houston team that earned a No. 1 seed in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Now at Arkansas, the talented lefty should instantly be a key piece for the Razorbacks during the upcoming season at Bud Walton Arena.
Skyy Clark, Louisville (Illinois): Kenny Payne said over the summer on the College Hoops Today Podcast that he expects Clark to be one of the top point guards in the country in 2023-24. If the Cards want to make a jump in the ACC, he’ll have to be.
Dayvion McKnight, Xavier (Western Kentucky): It’s not fair to ask McKnight to be Souley Boum, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not capable of being one of the top guards in the Big East during the upcoming year. The 6-1 point guard is built like a fullback and was a power conference recruit out of high school. McKnight averaged 16.5 points, five rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season at Western Kentucky. He’s capable of putting up comparable numbers in the Big East.
RayJ Dennis, Baylor (Toledo): There’s a major void in Baylor’s backcourt following the departures of Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer, and Keyonte George. Scott Drew certainly hopes that Dennis can fill it. The 6-2 guard has four years of college basketball under his belt and averaged 19.5 points and 5.8 assists last season in the MAC. If he averages half of that this season in the Big 12, Baylor will be in business.
Leftovers
- Florida, Minnesota, Wake Forest to headline early season tournament in Orlando, fourth team is TBD
- Weekend Brunch: Why the SEC’s depth may be unprecedented in 2024-25
- Arizona State, Grand Canyon to meet next season at Footprint Center
- St. John’s, New Mexico to meet on Nov. 17th at MSG
- Episode 446 — Kentucky’s Mark Pope