NCAA Basketball: Top 50 impact transfers for 2021-22 season
30. F Jayden Gardner – Virginia Cavaliers
2020-21 stats: 18.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg at East Carolina
The 6’7 forward has been one of the best frontcourt scorers in NCAA Basketball over the past three years, going for essentially the same numbers each year. Gardner isn’t going to space the floor much but he can still create offense inside the three-point line and still produce, despite not having much of a supporting cast.
With both Sam Hauser and Jay Huff gone for UVA, Gardner will need to put up similar numbers on the offensive end, while also being top-notch defensively as well. Offense is a major question right now for Virginia so if the former Pirate star can be an All-ACC contributor out the gate, there could be problems for Coach Tony Bennett’s squad.
29. G Te’Jon Lucas – BYU Cougars
2020-21 stats: 14.9 ppg and 5.8 apg at Milwaukee
Lucas put up some big stats with the Panthers the last couple of years, including 31 points and 10 rebounds versus Cleveland State and a career-high 13 assists and 21 points in a win versus Oakland. The 6’2 guard can play on and off the ball, although his three-point inconsistencies have been an issue.
The good news for Lucas is that he fits well with star BYU guard Alex Barcello, one of the best shooters in the country. He’s also an upgrade over Brandon Averette and is another pure distributor that takes pressure off of Barcello as well. His usage rate won’t be as high with the Cougars but his versatility and underrated defense will be a big asset this season.
28. G Michael Flowers – Washington State Cougars
2020-21 stats: 21.0 ppg and 4.6 rpg at South Alabama
It wasn’t a surprise that Flowers was the best scorer in the Sun Belt since he showed this kind of potential at Western Michigan before. But the Pac-12 is a different story. Yet the 6’1 guard is an elite three-point shooter and is a quick playmaker on the court as well. He has the potential to go for 30 points on a given night and can fit into any offensive system.
The Cougars have NCAA Tournament aspirations and the guard duo of Flowers and Noah Williams will be one of the best in the Pac-12. How they share the shots will be interesting but the potential of this group is why so many are high on Washington State.
27. G Xavier Johnson – Indiana Hoosiers
2020-21 stats: 14.2 ppg and 5.7 apg at Pittsburgh
Ever since he stepped onto the court as a freshman, Johnson has been one of the best passers and offensive threats in the ACC. He’s been a double-digit scorer each season, although has struggled to be efficient from the field. But evident by his 32-point and 7-assist game off the bench in the upset win over Virginia Tech, Johnson’s ceiling is one of the higher ones among the veteran guards.
With a better supporting cast at Indiana, Johnson has the chance to flourish this season, although he’ll have to get used to not having the ball as well. He may even be playing off the ball whenever Rob Phinisee, a better overall defender, is on the court. But Johnson is the better passer and overall scorer and to help get the Hoosiers back to the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need the former Panthers’ skillset.
26. F Joel Soriano – St. John’s Red Storm
2020-21 stats: 10.4 ppg and 9.2 rpg at Fordham
The 6’11 and 250-pound big man was impressive in the Rams’ 14 games, averaging nearly a double-double and notching eight games of at least 10 points and 10 rebounds. He’s a solid interior defender as well and provides a big body for the Big East.
Soriano doesn’t need to provide much offense with the Red Storm thanks to Julian Champagnie and other key transfers joining but the frontcourt depth has been a major weakness of the past. The true center is one of many new pieces to the roster but may end up being the most important.