WCC Basketball: Top 10 impact transfers for 2021-22 season
By Tuck Clarry
6. Gabe Stefanini, F, San Francisco Dons
13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists with Columbia (2018-2019)
Gabe Stefanini had quite the journey to the Hilltop of the University of San Francisco. The former Ivy Leaguer at Columbia sat out the 2019-2020 season due to a foot injury and stayed out of college hoops last year, working on his game instead of in his homeland of Italy.
Stefanini joins a revamped Dons team that finished eighth in the WCC but adds a bevy of other transfers including former Columbia teammate Tapé. Stefanini averaged 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists his sophomore year with the Lions and finished on the Second-Team All-Ivy League squad.
Stefanini offers marksmanship that’s become highly coveted in the modern game. He shot 42% from three in his last season of Division I basketball and should slot in alongside Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz to form a top-tier scoring backcourt.
5. Seneca Knight, F, BYU Cougars
9.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2 assists with San Jose State
Seneca Knight’s upside may be the deciding factor of not only how BYU fares in WCC play but in the national conversation as well. Knight is a journeyman when it comes to the portal, as BYU is the third team he’s signed onto in his collegiate career.
Knight started first with the San Jose State Spartans, earning Third-Team All-MWC in the 2019-2020 season. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.7 rebounds that sophomore campaign, which also was his last complete season. He withdrew from the team after 4 games last year due to COVID concerns.
In January Knight transferred to LSU, a school close to his hometown of New Orleans. But five months later, he re-entered the portal and chose the Cougars in Provo over offers from Idaho and Georgia Southern. That additional maneuvering may complicate Knight’s eligibility, as he needs clearance from the NCAA due to technically transferring an additional time (Knight and the Cougars are confident that this will not be an issue).
Knight is a major get for the Cougars, as his size, athleticism, and shot creation covers up many weaknesses found on the roster and evident in their previous season. Knight is a potential three-level scorer, who will benefit from Pope’s system that opens up great looks from outside. His ability to get looks off was evident in his sophomore season and has only had time to develop.
He’s a bit of an underrated passer, averaging over 2 assists per game his sophomore and shortened junior year. If Knight continues to improve his defensive and rebounding skills, he will elevate the Cougars into a dangerous team this year and a more well-rounded group than last year’s team that earned a 6 seed.