SEC Basketball: Top 30 impact transfers heading into 2021-22 season

2. C Walker Kessler – Auburn Tigers

Previous School: North Carolina

A former consensus five-star prospect, Kessler spent his freshman season a year ago at North Carolina where he appeared in 29 games averaging 4.4 PPG and 3.2 RPG in limited action. Regardless of the limited sample size, Kessler is an easy choice for a breakout candidate in the SEC this season with the Tigers.

The 7’1 center should combine with freshman Jabari Smith to be one of the best frontcourt duos in the entire country, while also arguably the top center in the SEC. Kessler should be a candidate to lead the Tigers in both points and rebounds, while also one of the top shot-blockers in the entire country.

1. G Sahvir Wheeler – Kentucky Wildcats

Previous School: Georgia

When looking at every SEC transfer from the offseason, you will arguably find none that will be more impactful than Wheeler joining the Wildcats. Transferring to Kentucky from Georgia, Wheeler averaged 14 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 7.4 APG with the Bulldogs a year ago en route to a Second-Team All-SEC appearance.

While Wheeler isn’t the biggest threat to shoot from deep, he is capable of doing it, as well as being an excellent facilitator with the ball for both himself and others. Wheeler should slot into a deep Kentucky backcourt as one of the best passing point guards in the entire country and should be a candidate to lead the Wildcats in scoring, while also a lock to top the team in assists.

There is no denying that SEC Basketball was a massive winner of the offseason due to the transfer portal alone. Will the top names of Wheeler, Kessler, Grady, and Brooks provide the biggest impact, or are we in for more surprises in the conference as the season goes on?