NCAA Basketball: 50 under-the-radar mid-major transfers for 2021-22 season
G Desi Sills – Arkansas State Redwolves (Sun Belt)
2020-21 stats: 7.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg
The 6’1 scoring guard started out last season with seven of nine games in double figures including 23 points at Auburn. But between Mose Moody becoming a star and Davonte Davis emerging as a freshman, Sills was regulated to the bench. But he’s a solid scorer and capable of putting up big numbers and originally committed to Auburn this offseason before a logjam there ended up benefitting the Redwolves.
Arkansas State has a great opportunity to move up from the middle to the top of the Sun Belt, with leading scorer Marquis Eaton back, along with double-double star big man Norchad Omier. But they’ll need a prime scorer capable of getting them 20 points in a given game if the Redwolves want to be a true contender. Sills has the skills without question and with an improved perimeter shot can help make this a top-tier offense.
G Vince Cole – Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (Sun Belt)
2020-21 stats: 8.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg
After two years of JUCO ball (South Carolina Salkehatchie), the 6’6 guard started 22 games for St. John’s, including five games of at least 15 points this past season. Cole is a good three-point shooter and has the size to play and guard multiple positions.
The Chanticleers were near the top of the conference last season thanks in part to Sun Belt Player of the Year and leading scorer Devante Jones, who transferred to Michigan. Cole is going to need to be a double-digit scorer at the two-spot to help offset the loss but the return of point guard Ebrima Dibba should help facilitate the process.
F Jordan Brown – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (Sun Belt)
2020-21 stats: 9.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg
After very limited minutes at Nevada, the former five-star prospect started 11 games for Arizona last season and was a solid enough frontcourt player. He wasn’t the game-changer many thought he could be out of high school and after a coaching change went to the same school that his father became a legend at.
Brown joins an already quality frontcourt for the Ragin’ Cajuns, featuring Conference Defensive Player of the Year Theo Akwuba, along with 5th year senior forward Dou Gueye. This will be one of the best mid-major frontcourts in the country that can have two quality bigs on the court at all times and even if he’s a 6th man, Brown can still get 20-25 minutes and can play both the power forward and center positions.
G Greg Parham – South Alabama Jaguars (Sun Belt)
2020-21 stats: 18.4 ppg and 4.0 apg
The 6’4 guard had a breakout campaign last season, doubling his scoring production and leading the team in passing. Parham also was efficient from the field, including a career-high 44% from deep on six attempts. He had a real hot streak in the middle of the season, going for 23+ points n seven straight games. And although VMI typically plays at a fast pace, Parham was able to lead the offense to great numbers, getting everyone involved while getting his own numbers.
He joins a transfer-happy South Alabama team that lost its star guard and 21 ppg scorer Michael Flowers to Washington State, while both John Pettway and David Walker each departed this offseason as well. Parham can play point off the ball and if he can continue his elite scoring ways, he’ll be the biggest impact transfer the Jaguars landed.
G Javon Levi – Texas-Arlington Mavericks (Sun Belt)
2020-21 stats: 10.4 ppg and 5.4 apg
A four-year starter at Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Levi has always been a great passer, consistently leading the WAC in assists. But his scoring production increased to make him an even bigger threat, along with being a multi-time All-Defense player in the league as well. He’s been close to getting a triple-double multiple times in his college career as well.
The Mavericks lost both its top-scoring guards (Shahada Wells and Sam Griffin) this offseason, allowing Levi to be the starting point guard. While the scoring production for UT-Arlington likely will take a dip, look for the defense to be great. There are a ton of quality guards in the Sun Belt so Levi will have his hands full on that end, while still having to facilitate the Mavericks offense.