NCAA Basketball: Top 40 sit-out transfers elegible for 2018-19
18. Quincy McKnight G Jr, Seton Hall
16-17 Stats: 18.9ppg 4.9rpg 3.0apg 4.6topg 32%3pt at Sacred Heart
This is a turning point in the rankings because all of the remaining transfers look like definite starters, many of them for really strong teams. McKnight is a combo guard who will likely start at PG for Seton Hall. He was required to create a majority of the offense for Sacred Heart which resulted in his inefficient play and his high turnover numbers. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a smaller role alongside multiple talented scorers.
17. AJ Turner Wing Jr, Northwestern
16-17 Stats: 8.4ppg 3.3rpg 3.0apg 37%3pt at Boston College
Turner will likely start for Northwestern in a versatile lineup that could feature three or even four wings. Vic Law and Ryan Taylor will pair with Turner to create long athletic lineups that are filled with shooters. The Wildcats have a huge role at PG, but Turner could help run the offense as a secondary creator. Northwestern looks like an NIT team now, but could climb the Big Ten standings with quality PG play.
16. Michael Weathers G So, Oklahoma State
16-17 Stats: 16.7ppg 4.2rpg 4.8apg 1.9spg 22%3pt 4.8topg at Miami Ohio
Like McKnight, Weathers was a big scorer and stat-sheet stuffer on a mid major team. However, Weathers might still be the go-to option on Oklahoma State as last season’s top three scorers have all left the program (Carroll, Smith, Shine). The cupboard is not completely bare, Lindy Waters and Cam McGriff have breakout potential, but they are probably a bottom two team in the conference. Weathers will need to cut the turnovers and improve his shooting to be a high-level starter in the Big 12.
15. Vance Jackson Wing So, New Mexico
16-17 Stats: 8.1ppg 3.8rpg 40%3pt at UConn
Jackson is a sharp shooting wing who will likely play as a small ball PF for a much improved New Mexico squad. His decision to leave UConn was somewhat surprising since he was a consistent starter as a freshman. UConn’s loss is New Mexico’s gain as Jackson could double his scoring average in his first season with the Lobos.
14. Taurean Thompson PF So, Seton Hall
16-17 Stats: 9.2ppg 3.8rpg 55%fg at Syracuse
Seton Hall is losing their senior class that helped revitalize the program by making three straight NCAA Tournaments. Thompson should step in and replace some of Angel Delgado’s offensive production despite having vastly different styles of play. He is more of a jump shooting big man who struggles defensively and on the glass. Thompson is a very effective offensive player and should be the second leading scorer behind Myles Powell. If Thompson can refine his floor game he will be even more dangerous.
13. Zylan Cheatham PF/C Sr, Arizona State
16-17 Stats: 9.1ppg 6.3rpg 52%fg at San Diego State
Cheatham is an energy big man who will make a major impact in his first, and only, season with Arizona State. He can play next to Romello White in a bigger lineup or play the five in a smaller and quicker lineup. The Sun Devils struggled with rebounding and defense last season and Cheatham will help address both of those areas of concern.