NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top 25 impact Junior College transfers for 2019-20
21. Charles Manning – LSU
JUCO school: Florida SouthWestern State
After averaging nearly 17 ppg last season, Manning was an early commit for the Tigers who are pretty stacked on the perimeter. Guard Skylar Mays, Ja’Vonte Smart and Marlon Taylor are all set to return and should have major roles for the upcoming campaign. However, the 6’6 wing may be forcing himself into the rotation.
Head coach Will Wade has raved about his two-way ability and could be LSU’s “3 and D” star next season. If Manning can provide consistency on offense (an issue at the JUCO level), then he’ll play a big role for the defending SEC Regular Season champs. He played very well in the team’s recent preseason foreign tour and will be an asset in 2020.
20. Alphonso Anderson – Utah State
JUCO school: North Idaho College
A former player at Montana, Anderson became one of the better western JUCO forwards this past season. He averaged 15.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg and showed the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability. A bit undersized as a 6’6 power forward, Anderson has the physicality and toughness to succeed in the Mountain West.
He’s an ideal experienced newcomer for an Aggies team set to win now. Reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Sam Merrill is back for his senior season while big man Neemias Queta is probably going pro next season. Anderson will be tasked with replacing the production of forwards Quinn Taylor and Dwayne Brown Jr., who combined to averaged 14.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg. It would be nice for Utah State fans if he could do that on his own.
19. Alonzo Verge – Arizona State
JUCO school: Moberly Area Community College
One of a few JUCO stars joining the Sun Devils, Verge is a 6’3 combo guard who can facilitate the offense while also playing off the ball as well. He averaged nearly 21 ppg on 56% from the field and six assists a game. But he’s primarily a scorer – and a good one at that. This past year, Verge broke Moberly’s school-record for points in a game with 55. Named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American, Verge was an excellent pickup to help offset the absence of Luguentz Dort.
But the Sun Devils still have plenty of perimeter talent on the roster, including point guard Remy Martin, who averaged 12.9 ppg and 5.0 apg. Senior guard Rob Edwards is also coming back, along with the arrival of four-star guard Jaelen House. Verge will probably have to play off the ball more to allow Martin to operate but will still have a place in Arizona State’s rotation.