NCAA Basketball: 8 teams that should target Alabama transfer Jaden Shackelford

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes wouldn’t have been an option a week ago until the news that all-conference guard Duane Washington Jr. decided to stay in the NBA Draft, leaving a potential hole at the shooting guard position. They do have a top-30 incoming freshman in Malaki Branham that’s capable of filling in but assuming that EJ Liddell does return, this is a team that’s ready to win big next season and could use a proven option in the backcourt.

Washington and Shackelford are fairly similar in how they play, although the former Buckeye is a better shooter overall. Still, with Penn State transfer and defensive standout Jamari Wheeler set to start at point, Ohio State needs a legit scorer to play alongside him. Shackelford is the best free agent that can do that and if they land him, can effectively say that they replaced Washington.

Stanford Cardinal

The Cardinal is one of two power-five conference programs that didn’t land a single transfer this offseason (Purdue). Maybe academics play a big role but this is a team that could use some more production, after losing five-star freshman Ziaire Williams, senior guard Daejon Davis and leading scorer and rebounder Oscar Da Silva.

Stanford has another five-star coming in wing Harrison Ingram, along with top-50 point guard Isa Silva. He’s a pass-first ball-handler so he and Shackelford would work well in the backcourt. This is a team and head coach in Jarod Haase that needs to win this upcoming season and right now, I’m not sure this roster as constructed can do it. But adding the transfer from Alabama would change my mind.