NCAA Basketball: Analyzing finalists for Alabama transfer forward Galin Smith
Former Alabama forward Galin Smith will be deciding between three NCAA Basketball programs. Which of them could be the best for the grad transfer?
At this stage in the NCAA Basketball offseason, the top-tier players in the transfer portal have all been scooped up for next season. But there are still plenty of talented athletes who can serve as good depth, especially for those who have missed out on other targets. That’s the case for Galin Smith, who decided to leave the Alabama Crimson Tide after three seasons as mostly a reserve.
In 94 games played (20 starts), Smith averaged 3.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 13 minutes of action. At 6’9 and 240 pounds, he offers a big body and a capable shot-blocker, averaging over two blocks a game per 40 minutes. Smith may not provide high levels of offense but for 10-15 minutes a game, he’ll at least be serviceable and provide experience and defense to one of his three finalists.
Each of these teams could use another frontcourt asset after what has happened to them this offseason. But which of them is the best situation? I take a look at what each of them offers Smith.
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Arizona State Sun Devils
The surprising departure of leading big man Romello White was an issue for Arizona State, amplified by the earlier decisions from forwards Andre Allen, Khalid Thomas and Elias Valtonen to leave the program as well. It’s great that five-star guard Joshua Christopher is coming but this team literally has no center on the roster. Smith not only could get minutes in his lone season at Arizona State but he could potentially start as well. For a projected preseason top-15 team in 2020-21, that’s not a bad spot to land.
Maryland Terrapins
Just like Arizona State, the Terrapins have lost a ton of frontcourt players from their own roster, with Joshua Tomaic just committing to San Diego State. And unless Boston College transfer forward Jairus Hamilton gets a waiver, Maryland will be set to trot out Chol Marial, Donta Scott and a bunch of four-guard lineups for next season. Marial can’t play more than 20 mpg at this time so splitting it with Smith at the center position is the best-case scenario for next season.
VCU Rams
Another unexpected departure this offseason was VCU’s Marcus Santos-Silva, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder and 12.8 ppg and 8.9 rpg. They did land 7’1 defensive juggernaut
Brendan Medley-Bacon from Coppin State but he’ll have to sit out next season. That leaves reserves Corey Douglas and Hason Ward in the frontcourt. Smith could very well start and could produce in the Atlantic 10 next season for a Rams squad that lost so much production. They may not be a clear-cut tournament contender compared to both Arizona State and Maryland but he could more easily showcase his talents in his final year.
Next. Early SEC power rankings for 2020-21. dark
The recruitment for Galin Smith may not be frontline NCAA Basketball news but all three of these programs could absolutely use him or depth purposes. The losers in this battle will have to go back to the drawing board, with fewer options to target.