4. F Garrison Brooks – Mississippi State Bulldogs
Previous School: North Carolina
A four-year player at North Carolina, Brooks started in 108 of 133 games the past four seasons where he has averaged a combined 9.6 PPG and 6 RPG. Looking back at the last two seasons in particular, however, Brooks has averaged at least 10/6 in each, including a career-high 16.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG in 2019-20 that included a Second-Team All-ACC selection.
Named to the preseason and midseason Wooden Award watch list a year ago, Brooks should instantly slot in as one of the most experienced big men in the SEC. Mississippi State could be a sleeper team in the SEC this season, and with the addition of Brooks, gives the Bulldogs one of the top true low-post players in the conference-leading the way.
3. G Kellan Grady – Kentucky Wildcats
Previous School: Davidson
Grady comes to Kentucky as a four-year starter at Davidson where he scored over 2,000 points during that span averaging 17.4 PPG for his career. A career 36.6% three-point shooter, Grady has also received numerous accolades over the past three seasons including a three-time All-A-10 selection, as well as being named to the Preseason Wooden Award watch list in all three.
Obviously, the level of talent surrounding Grady this season at Kentucky will be different than Davidson, but that does not necessarily mean that the experienced guard will not put up similar numbers. No, he likely won’t average 17 PPG, but Grady should be one of the top-scoring guards in the SEC as one of the leaders in a deep Kentucky backcourt.