Big Ten Basketball: Top 20 impact transfers heading into 2021-22 season

No.12 E.J Stephens – Minnesota

Four transfers that will be headed to the Golden Gophers have been discussed already, all of who will be starting when the season tips off. The 6-3 Stephens will be joining the four aforementioned, but he will not be doing so as a starter. Instead, the Golden Gophers’ best transfer will be coming off the bench to play a number of positions while providing consistent scoring.

After four seasons at Lafayette, Stephens was selected to the All-Patriot Second Team after finishing with an average of 16.4 points, 2,5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, stats that must be mentioned as all being in the top ten in the Patriot Conference. That array stat-stuffing will translate more so in Minnesota, despite the tougher conference opponents.

A slasher by nature with over eight of his twelve shot attempts coming from two-point territory, Stephens can also get to the basket off the dribble in order to get to the free-throw line. His average of five three-throw attempts is even more impressive when his 90 percent success rate is taken into account.

The free-throw line is not the only line he likes to take advantage of. Whether it be in transition or off a cut, Stephens loves to set up in the corner as he would attempt almost four three-pointers per game while hitting 33 percent.

Although he is best suited for the shooting guard position, Stephens is a solid ball-handler and will provide a secondary ball-handling option. He also has the potential to be the Golden Gophers’ highest scorer on any given game due to being such a streaky shooter. With two 30 point performances in 20-21, Stephens can carry an offense coming off the bench while maintaining his 25 Usage Rate percentage, something that might not be the case as a starter.