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

No.7 Jamari Wheeler – Ohio State

This might seem a little high on the list for a player who averaged a career-high in 2020-21 after four seasons at Penn State, especially when that career-high average is under seven points per game. It might also be surprising for Jamari Wheeler to be the No.7 transfer when this article just three entries prior stated that Jaheam Cornwall will make the loss of Wheeler easier.

The bottom line is, the Buckeyes’ system will fit Wheeler a lot better as he will be surrounded by EJ Liddell and Justice Sueing on the starting line-up. Wheeler – like most players- is a lot better at hitting open shots, in particular the straight-away three. Having attempted fewer than four per game last season, he connected on almost 36 percent of them and more open looks should only be expected to come.

Basketball is also a two-way sport and Wheeler has made the Big Ten All-Defensive Team his last two seasons. With the Buckeyes providing support behind him, he can afford to be more aggressive by picking up the defensive intensity. When one takes into consideration that Wheeler’s 104.6 defensive rating eclipses Duane Washington’s 109.5, it is put into perspective how Wheeler is going to contribute and impact this Buckeyes team.

Take into account that Wheeler has played four years in the Big Ten and knows exactly what to expect, it pushes him to No. 7 on this list of transfers.