Pac-12 Basketball: Ranking the top transfers in the conference

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks looks on prior to the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 24: Derryck Thornton (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. PG Derryck Thornton, USC

Derryck Thornton receives the title as the best incoming transfer in the conference. Thornton and McIntosh were in a very close race for the number one spot. McIntosh is almost guaranteed to play a substantial role and make a major impact for Oregon, but Thornton’s upside was too much to pass up.

Thornton was a very highly ranked recruit who played significant minutes for Duke as a freshman and averaged 7.1ppg. The 6’2″ guard decided to transfer to USC because of a log jam in the Duke backcourt. Duke returned Grayson Allen and added Frank Jackson which left Thornton without a major role.

Ironically, Thornton will probably come off the bench for USC since the Trojans return all five starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. Thornton will still play major minutes but will have to share the backcourt with seniors Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart as well as sophomore De’Anthony Melton.

Coach Andy Enfield is extremely fortunate to have so many great guards and it will be interesting to see how he divides up the minutes. USC has one of the deepest rosters in the country because they can bring starting caliber players like Thornton off the bench. The former Duke guard should still see more than 20 minutes per game with the Trojans and could average 9-10ppg. This would make him one of the best sixth men in the country and a key cog for a top-ten USC team.

Next: Breaking down the stars in the ACC

Overall, this is an incredibly good group of transfers coming into the Pac-12. They will all play their part in making their team better and therefore make the competition in the conference even better. Watch out for each of these players as the Pac-12 season gets underway.

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