NCAA Basketball: 50 under-the-radar mid-major transfers for 2021-22 season
F KJ Buffen – UAB Blazers (Conference USA)
2020-21 stats: 8.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg
The 6’7 combo forward is an impressive athlete and defender, while also capable of being a double-digit efficient contributor. There was a stretch in the non-conference where Buffen was averaging 15 ppg but took a big step back in league play.
Buffen is one of several incoming transfers for UAB, coming off a 22-win season, and returns star guard Michael Ertel II. Of all the newcomers, Buffen’s defense and versatility will be the most important, with his offense just being an added bonus.
F John Meeks – College of Charleston Cougars (Colonial Athletic Association)
2020-21 stats: 25.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg
The giant numbers for Meeks are misleading, as he only played six total games last season for Bucknell. Still, he still put up three games of at least 30 points against D-I competition and as third-team All-Patriot League in the year prior so the 6’6 forward is a genuinely good player.
Considering that all three double-digit scorers for the Cougars last season transferred out, there’s a major void of scoring production that needs to be addressed. If Meeks can just give them around 12-13 ppg, he’ll be an impact transfer in the frontcourt. Anything around 20 and now we’re talking CAA Player of the Year range.
G/F Joe Pridgen – Northeastern Huskies (Colonial Athletic Association)
2020-21 stats: 12.1 ppg and 8.2 rpg
The 6’5 versatile scorer put up some big numbers at both Holy Cross and UNC Wilmington. He stays in the CAA with the Huskies, who won the regular-season title last season but lost star guard Tyson Walker to Michigan State this offseason. They do have double-digit scorers Shaquille Walters and Jahmyl Telfort back but could use Pridgen as the go-to guy if they’re to repeat as league champs.
Pridgen has the ability, shooting 56% from the field and can score in a variety of ways from inside the arc. If he can get better from three-point range, that will make him a near unguardable player in the CAA.
F DJ Harvey – Detroit Mercy Titans (Horizon League)
2020-21 stats: 6.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg
After three seasons at both Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, the former top-50 recruit out of high school will be playing alongside one of the best scorers in the country in Antonie Davis, coming off a season of averaging 24.0 ppg and 4.8 apg. The team’s second-leading scorer was 6’7 forward Bul Koul (15.6 ppg) but he went pro this offseason.
Harvey is one of several transfers joining the Titans but his defensive potential is the more important. Detroit Mercy has always been able to score but has consistently been one of the worst team defenses in the Horizon. If Harvey can simply have a positive impact on that end, it could finally turn this team into a legit contender in the conference in Davis’ final season.
G Damian Chong-Qui – Purdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons (Horizon League)
2020-21 stats: 15.1 ppg and 5.3 apg
Despite being just 5’8 and 155 pounds overall, Chong-Qui is one of the toughest players in college basketball and quality players. If he was 6’0, he’d be a starter on a power conference program. Instead, the Mastodons get a three-year starter from Mount St. Mary’s coming off a career year.
He has a high usage rate that affects his efficiency numbers but will be surrounded by arguably a better supporting cast, thanks to the team’s top three scorers all returning, including 6’5 guard Jarred Godfrey, who’ll take pressure off of Chong-Qui. The frontcourt remains a question for this team but at least the backcourt is in good shape.