Transfer Portal Leads To Influx of Talent in SEC
While the academic year comes to a close at most campuses across the country, rosters for college basketball teams and their head coaches are far from set. Let’s take a look at the Top Ten players entering the SEC via the transfer portal.
Went through tape on Minnesota’s transfer commit Liam Robbins. As impressive as any transfer prospect in the country. Impressed with his touch, hands and post work. Effective over either shoulder. Late bloomer that didn’t have a scholarship offer coming out of high school. pic.twitter.com/0r2AnRLqTc
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 9, 2020
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10) Liam Robbins (Vanderbilt via Minnesota)
Jerry Stackhouse lost a talented big man in Dylan Disu but acquired a solid replacement in Robbins. He was hampered by an injury last year at Minnesota, but, if healthy, will be an impact player for the Commodores and will serve as a nice inside option opposite Scottie Pippin, Jr. (should he return and not stay in the NBA Draft). He averaged 11.7 points, 6.6 boards, and 2.7 blocks as a Golden Gopher.
9) Nimari Burnett (Alabama via Texas Tech)
Burnett never found his groove as a Red Raider. When Chris Beard left, so did Burnett. He should flourish at either guard spot in Nate Oats’ fast-paced style. He is a stellar defender as well and a former five-star recruit. A change of scenery may be just what he needs.
8) Stanley Umude (Arkansas via South Dakota)
Eric Musselman knows talent. You might not have heard of Umude now, but college hoops junkies will know his name by Christmas. He has already scored over 1,500 college points. Sure, it was South Dakota, but his talent will be used well by Musselman.
ICYMI | What to expect from South Dakota transfer Stanley Umude, one of the best scorers and most-utilized players in college basketball in recent years: https://t.co/rYD39M4SxD
— WholeHogSports.com (@wholehogsports) April 11, 2021
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7) Kellan Grady (Kentucky via Davidson)
Kentucky lacked a lot last season, shooting being at the top of the list. Coach Cal realized that and secured a commitment early in the transfer portal process from the former Davidson star. In addition to shooting, he brings experience as the four-year starter has scored over 2,000 career points already.
6) Marcus Williams (Texas A&M via Wyoming)
He played in relative obscurity at Wyoming, but Williams earned Freshman of the Year honors after his debut season saw him average 14.8 points and 4.3 assists. Buzz Williams will hand the team to Williams and let him run the show.
John Tonje (@johntonje1) gets the layup following Marcus Williams’ clutch 3 pointer to take the lead for Colorado State over Wyoming and get them the win pic.twitter.com/bRF9GG5D3M
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) February 5, 2021
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5) Chris Lykes (Arkansas via Miami)
Lykes led Miami in scoring as a sophomore and junior but played only two games due to injury last year for the Canes. He brings over 90 games of experience and plays bigger than his 5-7 frame, mainly because he made over 38% of his three-point attempts as a junior.
Oscar Tshiebwe practicing with the team 👀pic.twitter.com/aMjr8C8C32
— Cats Coverage 😼 (@CatsCoverage_) February 16, 2021
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4) Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky via West Virginia)
Big O almost chose Kentucky coming out of high school, but stuck with his home state school and played for Bob Huggins at West Virginia. He almost averaged a double-double as a freshman (11.3 points, 9.2 rebounds) and will be a boon to the Wildcats frontcourt that loses Olivier Saar and likely Isaiah Jackson.
𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 ✍️
Welcome to the boot, Adam Miller!
🔗 https://t.co/FGzbZW1z04 | @AceWolf44 pic.twitter.com/bQg97U16wY
— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) May 7, 2021
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3) Adam Miller (LSU via Illinois)
Miller started every game on an Illinois team that was a top seed and playing as well as anyone entering the NCAA Tournament. Playing alongside Ayo Dosunmu, Miller thrived and averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. A top-30 talent in the Class of 2020, Miller will take over at the point for Will Wade.
2) Garrison Brooks (Texas A&M via UNC)
The first of two Tar Heels who left Chapel Hill for SEC country. Brooks is joining an Aggie squad where his father is an assistant coach. That should help him rebound from a subpar senior season at UNG, where he was the ACC PreSeason Player of the Year. he did average almost 17 points and nine rebounds as a junior two seasons ago.
1) Walker Kessler (Auburn via UNC)
Bruce Pearl got one of the most coveted transfers this season when Kessler selected Auburn. Kessler blossomed late in the year in Chapel Hill. That should worry SEC fans and excite Auburn fans. He almost recorded a triple-double against Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament and scored 20 points against a talented Florida State team in late February. If that rise continues, he will be a HANDFUL for SEC coaches to prepare for.
Walker Kessler—a former five-star, McDonald’s All-American—just committed to Auburn over Gonzaga and UNC. pic.twitter.com/74Fvy2FfhH
— AU Hoops News (@TheBruceBlog) April 12, 2021
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To show you the talent that has chosen to play in the SEC next year, this did not include CJ Frederick (Kentucky via Iowa), DJ Jeffries (Miss State via Memphis), Penn State’s leading scorer Myreon Jones (Florida via the Nittany Lions), a pair of Duke transfers in Henry Coleman (Texas A&M) and Jaemyn Braefield (Mississippi), as well as two in-league transfers – Justin Powell from Auburn to Tennessee and Xavier Pinson from Missouri to LSU. Let’s not forget the name of the transfer portal, Phlandrous Fleming, who will play at Florida via Charleston Southern.
Kentucky also added a pair of well-respected assistant coaches in Orlando Antigua and Ronald Coleman, both from Illinois!
This ranking will likely change when classes start in the Fall with the likes of Marcus Carr, Marcus Bagley, Sahvir Wheeler, Quincy Guerrier, Bryce Hamilton, and Rocket Watts all hearing from a variety of SEC schools.