ACC Basketball: Top 20 impact transfers for 2021-22 season

1. Theo John | 6’9 Forward/Center | Duke Blue Devils

Theo John enters ACC basketball as the top transfer name to know with the Duke Blue Devils. Much like his teammate, Dawson Garcia, John chose to transfer with eligibility left and his coach departing his post with the Marquette Golden Eagles.

John put together quite the resume in his four seasons with the Golden Eagles. He’s gradually developed as an interior guy in the Marquette frontcourt, averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game across 124 appearances (88 starts) from 2017-21.

As a sophomore, he averaged a career-high 2.1 blocks per contest and over the years, he’s emerged as a two-way rim protector on the interior. He led the Big East in blocks in 2018-19 with 70. This past season, he produced a career-high 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest.

John is set to give the Blue Devils quite the formidable frontcourt potential if all goes well. He’s a 6-foot-9 big man that can play the forward or center spot alongside 7-footer Mark Williams. Add Williams 1.4 blocks per contest along with John’s 1.5 blocks per game, things could get real interesting in the paint for Duke’s opponents in 2021-22.

Duke will have John, Williams, Paolo Banchero and Bates Jones (Davidson) to work with in the frontcourt heading into a new season. Coach K should have some fun with his frontcourt pairings with the arrival of John.