NCAA Basketball: 50 under-the-radar mid-major transfers for 2021-22 season
G Zach Harvey – UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (Big West)
2020-21 stats: 6.4 ppg and 1.2 rpg
Harvey is a former top-50 prospect who had to play behind Keith Williams at Cincy the past two years. But when he was given an opportunity and extended minutes to have an impact, he did, including 19 points in 26 minutes at Wichita State.
The 6’5 guard can be a lethal scorer in the Big West and will be the hopeful replacement for Jaquori McLaughlin, last season’s leading scorer and passer and Conference Player of the Year. Harvey isn’t going to provide the assist numbers but the Gauchos do have senior guard Deveral Ramsey back after averaging 3.0 apg last season.
G Austin Butler – Charlotte 49ers (Conference USA)
2020-21 stats: 16.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg
Former Clemson guard Clyde Trapp is the best known of the five incoming transfers for the 49ers but the guy with the gaudiest numbers is Butler, a 6’6 guard/forward from Holy Cross that was second in the Patriot League in rebounding last season. Butler’s offensive numbers took a major leap as well, including a career-high 30 points in the season finale game.
With 18.0 ppg scoring guard Jahmir Young back, Butler isn’t going to be needed to be the top offensive option. However, his versatility at the small forward position allows Charlotte to use a number of lineups, and his three-point shooting ability makes him a great option at the four-spot. Conference USA usually has some quality offensive units and thanks to Butler, the 49ers have one of their own on paper.
G Keaston Willis – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Conference USA)
2020-21 stats: 19.0 ppg and 2.1 apg
The 6’3 shooting guard had a breakout campaign for Incarnate Word last season and was a top player in the Southland. And even though a few games against non-D I opponents boost the numbers, Willis only had one game total where he scored fewer than 13 points. He’s also a career 36% three-point shooter on 6.7 attempts a game.
At Louisiana Tech, sophomore forward and U19 Team USA performer Kenneth Lofton will be the main guy to watch. But for them to win Conference USA, they’ll need some quality backcourt play. Willis will replace outgoing double-digit scorer Kalob Ledoux in the lineup and if he can be around 15 ppg, the Bulldogs will be difficult to beat in league play.
F Hameir Wright – North Texas Mean Green (Conference USA)
2020-21 stats: 6.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg
Wright is a 6’9 true power forward that started for three years at Washington. He never was a double-digit performer and shooter (34% career from the field) but is a good defender and capable rebounder that should benefit from moving down a level.
The Mean Green lost star guard Javion Hamlet but also had an underrated departure in starting big man Zachary Simmons. Wright isn’t going to be Hamlet’s replacement but can be for Simmons in the frontcourt. North Texas doesn’t have a ton of size overall so Wright and returning forward Thomas Bell will need to be steady next season.
G CJ Keyser – Old Dominion Monarchs (Conference USA)
2020-21 stats: 16.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg
Keyser was a key player and NC Central in the past two years after struggling at Wichita State. He’ll be in the middle of those two programs at Old Dominion in Conference USA. The 6’3 shooting guard was a double-digit scorer in every game last season, including a career-high 33 points and against Southern at 19 against North Carolina.
Keyser will be needed to help offset the production lost when leading scorer and passer Malik Curry transferred to West Virginia. He may even be relied upon to have the ball more in his hands to help facilitate the offense since the Monarchs don’t have a proven point guard on the roster.