15. G Xavier Pinson – Missouri
2020-21 stats: 13.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg
Second on the team in both scoring and passing, Pinson is an all-around shooting guard who can do just about everything. He can shoot, defend, pass, and has the ability to go off, including a career-high 36-point effort against TCU.
Pinson is a starting-caliber guard at the power conference level and programs such as Xavier, Arkansas, Auburn, and Illinois have reportedly been in contact. Few players currently in the portal are as sure a bet as Pinson, who’ll give good offense to whoever lands him.
14. F Jaemyn Brakefield – Duke
2020-21 stats: 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg
The former top-50 prospect was stuck behind both Matthew Hurt and Jalen Johnson at the forward position but when on the court, showed some promise. Breakfield had three double-digit scoring games in the early part of the season and can shoot the ball too.
The 6’8 forward has a high level of potential and is from the state of Mississippi. If either Ole Miss or Mississippi State can make a run for Brakefield, this would be huge for their hopes in the SEC.
13. G Earl Timberlake – Miami
2020-21 stats: 9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg
The former top-30 prospect was limited to just seven games this season due to injuries. But when he was on the court, Timberlake looked every bit of a future star. He scored in double figures in five of the games and had several instances of at least five rebounds and five assists.
Timberlake is going to be targeted by the same programs that were after him just a year ago. He’s from the Washington D.C. area, so don’t be surprised if programs such as Maryland and Georgetown are near the front of the line during the process.
12. G Michael Flowers – South Alabama
2020-21 stats: 21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg
After three years at Western Michigan, Flowers spent a season at South Alabama where he posted up career numbers. He had at least 25 points on 12 different occasions, including a four-game stretch where he had at least 28 in a game. Flowers is a 39% three-point shooter and can pass the ball as well.
There’s a good chance that Flowers will use the extra year at the power conference level, to have a chance to experience the NCAA Tournament. He just entered the portal, so while the process may take a minute before a decision is made, look for some big names to be involved with Flowers.
11. C Walker Kessler – North Carolina
2020-21 stats: 4.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg
The former five-star prospect was stuck behind a logjam of Tar Heel frontcourt players, so he averaged under 10 minutes a game. But when Kessler was able to get onto the court, he showed why he was such a coveted recruit. Against Florida State, Kessler had 20 points and eight rebounds and was two blocks shy of a triple-double in a win over Notre Dame.
Kessler is from the South and his family has ties to Georgia, so look for them, Auburn and Georgia Tech to be involved. But look out for Gonzaga, rumored to be an early favorite for his services. The 7’0 big man has All-American potential if in the right spot and given plenty of minutes.