NCAA Basketball: 20 biggest transfer decisions of 2021 offseason so far
By Matt Melton
15. G Tyson Walker – Michigan State
2020-21 stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.4 SPG
A 2-year starter at Northeastern, Walker took his game to the next level during his sophomore season averaging 18.8 PPG. Walker should slide in the Michigan State backcourt next season, and could help at point guard to replace the transferring Rocket Watts. The Big Ten is certainly a big step-up from the CAA, but Walker should be a nice piece for the Spartans next season.
14. G Marreon Jackson – Arizona State
2020-21 stats: 18.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.9 APG
Jackson, a senior, comes from Toledo where he started in all but two of his 127 career games. The 2020-21 MAC Player of the Year should play a prominent role for the Sun Devils next season, and rightfully so as he is a career 14.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 4.5 APG player. While the Pac-12 is a step up, Jackson should be one of the better players in the conference as he should get plenty of opportunities at Arizona State.
13. G Nimari Burnett – Alabama
2020-21 stats: 5.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 88.9% FT
The former McDonald’s All-American only appeared in 12 games for Texas Tech during this freshman season but has plenty of talent to make an instant impact with the Crimson Tide. Burnett is an excellent playmaker for himself and others that you can add to an already loaded Alabama backcourt. If you were to pick one offseason transfer with arguably the most upside, Burnett in Tuscaloosa would be a popular answer.
12. G Stanley Umude – Arkansas
2020-21 stats: 21.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG
Arguably the top pure scoring transfer of the offseason so far, Umude is a massive pickup for the Razorbacks. Umude, a senior, has started every game the previous two seasons at South Dakota where he averaged 16.7 PPG during his junior season, and 21.5 PPG last season, 9th in the country. A bigger guard at 6’6, Umude could play multiple positions for Arkansas and has the talent to be one of the top scorers in the SEC.
11. G Xavier Pinson – LSU
2020-21 stats: 13.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.9 APG
After starting every game of his junior season, the veteran point guard now lands in Baton Rouge with a different Tigers’ team. Pinson has shown flashes offensively of how good he can be while at Missouri, but can be inconsistent at times with his production. Now potentially “the guy” at LSU, Pinson should shine especially offensively with his ability to get to the rim and free-throw line.