NCAA Basketball: Top 50 impact transfers for 2021-22 season
50. G Tyrece Radford – Texas A&M Aggies
2020-21 stats: 12.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg at Virginia Tech
Despite being just 6’2, Radford is one of the best rebounding guards in the country. Although he doesn’t shoot well from the field, he’s a solid slasher to the basket and is a physical presence inside on both ends.
Texas A&M has a completely revamped backcourt, including another incoming transfer in Wyoming scorer Marcus Williams. Radford will be needed for multiple roles to help provide both scoring and rebounding. There may be spacing issues but the 6’2 guard showed that it can work at Virginia Tech.
49. F Theo John – Duke Blue Devils
2020-21 stats: 8.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg at Marquette
The 6’9 forward was a three-year starter with the Eagles and was known for his interior defense. John is a capable shot-blocker and one-on-one defender with plenty of size and quickness to be effective against many frontcourt players.
John will be needed depth for Duke off the bench, providing backup to Mark Williams and Paolo Banchero in the frontcourt. He may end up playing around 15-20 minutes at most but he’s a big upgrade for Duke off the bench compared to last season’s frontcourt reserves.
48. F Filip Rebraca – Iowa Hawkeyes
2020-21 stats: 16.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg at North Dakota
The 6’9 forward was an All-Summit League performer last season, scoring in double figures in all but one game. That included eight games of at least 20 points and several double-doubles. Rebraca even expanded his game as well, making 37% of his 41 three-point attempts.
It’s going to be impossible to replace the massive production of National Player of the Year Luka Garza for the Hawkeyes but the combination of Rebraca and Keegan Murray should be a solid combination for them this season, especially if the North Dakota transfer can be a double-digit contributor.
47. Noah Gurley – Alabama Crimson Tide
2020-21 stats: 15.4 ppg and 5.8 rpg at Furman
The 6’8 power forward is a solid two-way frontcourt piece, who became the leading scorer with the Paladins last season. Gurley really became an offensive force down the stretch, scoring a combined 59 points in the final two games.
Alabama’s depth has been tested already this offseason, with injuries coming to Texas Tech transfer guard Nimari Burnett and forward James Rosas, who is out for the season due to an ACL tear. Gurley likely will be the starting power forward and depending on how five-star big Charles Bediako looks, may end up being the go-to option in the frontcourt.
46. G Pelle Larsson – Arizona Wildcats
2020-21 stats: 8.2 ppg and 2.8 apg at Utah
The 6’5 guard was very good as a freshman last season, even while being a 4th or 5th option at times. Larsson shot 46% from three-point range and is a capable ball-handler as well. He can play three different positions on the perimeter and even point guard if needed.
Arizona does have a point guard in Kerr Kriisa but he’s unproven in major minutes as the lead guard. If he struggles, Larsson is capable of filling in and running the offense. But most importantly, his shooting ability off the ball with help maximize the spacing for the Wildcats.