NCAA Basketball: 20 biggest transfer decisions of 2021 offseason so far
By Matt Melton
5. G Xavier Johnson – Indiana
2020-21 stats: 14.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.7 APG
The 3-year starter at Pitt lands at Indiana with new head coach Mike Woodson in a pairing that could be intriguing. Johnson is a career 13.7 PPG scorer and displays arguably the purest talent of any transfer of the offseason with strong offensive and defensive abilities. Johnson should step right in as one of the focal points of the Hoosier offense, with the ability to become and of the top players in the Big Ten.
4. C Qudus Wahab – Maryland
2020-21 stats: 12.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Wahab took the next step in his game during his sophomore season at Georgetown and now lands at Maryland where a player of his caliber is needed. The Terrapins had little interior presence last season, and now insert Wahab who can score in the paint, as well as protect the rim. If Wahab continues to improve once again next season, Maryland might’ve just landed one of the best big men in the Big Ten next season.
3. F Timmy Allen – Texas
2020-21 stats: 17.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.9 APG
Chris Beard’s first big move at Texas was landing one of the best transfers available in Utah 3-year starter Timmy Allen. Allen is coming off a First-Team All-Pac-12 season in which he averaged 17 PPG for the second season in a row. Allen has the ability to do it all for the Longhorns next season and has the potential to be one of the top players in the Big 12 next season.
2. G Kellan Grady – Kentucky
2020-21 stats: 17.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
A four-year starter at Davidson who started in 113 of 115 career games, Grady you could make the argument is the top veteran transfer of the offseason. Grady is coming off a First-Team All-A-10 season where he averaged 17.1 PPG, the least of his career. Yes, 17.1 PPG is the least, that’s how good Grady is. Grady should be one of the top players in the SEC next season, and a focal point for the Wildcats offensively.
1. F Walker Kessler – Auburn
2020-21 stats: 4.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Kessler played limited minutes at North Carolina this past season but showed why the former 5-star was rated so highly when he got enough playing time. The 7’1 Kessler will not only be a strong post-presence for the Tigers, but paired with incoming freshman Jabari Smith gives Auburn one of the best front-courts in the SEC. Don’t look much into last season’s stats, Kessler has the talent to become of the best bigs in the SEC.
WTE SEC power rankings for 2021-22 season. dark. Next
While there are surely more high-impact players to enter the portal this offseason, these 20 NCAA Basketball transfers are set up to have success next season and beyond. Keep an eye on the transfer portal still, however. Based on this offseason so far, college basketball’s next or current big star’s name could pop up at any moment.