NCAA Basketball: 50 under-the-radar mid-major transfers for 2021-22 season
C Amari McCray – Grambling State Tigers (SWAC)
2020-21 stats: 10.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg
A true center at 6’9 and 265 pounds, McCray is limited in how long he can be on the court but he’s a wildly efficient scorer when he is. He was a solid big man for both Pacific and Portland State, shooting 56% from the field in both seasons.
Grambling finished in the top half of the SWAC and returns several seniors for another year. Two key departures though was guard Trevell Cunningham and starting forward Sarion McGee. McCray can slide into the starting lineup and he and 6’8 forward Terreon Randolph will form one of the top frontcourts in the league.
G Gabe Watson – Jackson State Tigers (SWAC)
2020-21 stats: 7.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg
Consistency was the major issue for Watson at Tulane last season, after originally coming over from Southern Miss. The splits for the 6’2 combo guard were either going for 13+ points or 4 or fewer this past season. Watson isn’t a great shooter overall but is a good defender and has had big nights against good opponents.
Jackson State went unbeaten in league play last season thanks to SWAC Player of the Year Tristan Jarrett, who averaged over 21 ppg to lead the team. I can’t say that Watson will do anything close but he’s shown the ability at times, and Jarrett is the same guy who couldn’t get minutes at Kennesaw State before becoming the star of the SWAC. Star forward Jayveous McKinnis is back so the Tigers just need a good guard to balance things out and keep near at the top of the league.
G AJ Lawson – Texas Southern Tigers (SWAC)
2020-21 stats: 11.8 ppg and 5.5 apg
The 6’5 guard has 102 career starts during his time at both North Texas and McNeese State. But it was his past two seasons with the Cowboys where Lawson became a quality passer and lead guard. He’s a double-digit scorer and an improved threat from the three-point line.
The Tigers have been a mainstay at the top of the SWAC thanks mainly due to successful transfer pickups. But they lost their leading scorer and passer Michael Weathers to SMU this offseason. That gives the starting gig to Lawson, whose experience and overall skills should help make this a smooth transition.
F Antonio Gordon – Southeastern Louisiana Lions (Southland)
2020-21 stats: 5.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg
The 6’9 forward was a solid supporting piece for Kansas State, whose entire roster was filled with such players. But there were a couple of moments that showed Gordon’s promise, including 23 points against the eventual national champion Baylor Bears, along with 15 points and 14 rebounds versus Oklahoma State.
Maybe moving down a level, or in this case, several, to the Southland with the Lions will unlock Gordon as a consistent leading contributor. Although this team was near the bottom of the standings, several top teams in the conference moved onto the WAC, giving Southeastern Louisiana a real shot at moving up the ladder. They return leading scorer Keon Clergeot and have forward Gus Okafor back but a breakout campaign from Gordon could be the push needed for the program to be a contender.
G Isaac McBride – Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (Summit League)
2020-21 stats: 4.7 ppg and 1.1 rpg
The 6’1 guard had to play behind several other guards at Vanderbilt, including star point guard and 22 ppg scorer Scotty Pippen Jr. Still when McBride got minutes in SEC play, he had several double-digit scoring outings and has real promise as a shooting and scoring threat.
Of course, I have to mention that he’ll be joining an even better scoring guard in Max Abmas, the co-star of Oral Roberts Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 that averaged nearly 25 ppg. But with Kevin Obanor gone to Texas Tech, an opportunity will come for McBride to be a key player in the rotation. The Golden Eagles can run a three-guard offense with McBride in the mix and will be important to have them as a contender in the Summit once again.