NCAA Basketball: Top 50 impact transfers for 2021-22 season
15. G Storm Murphy – Virginia Tech Hokies
2020-21 stats: 17.8 ppg and 4.3 apg at Wofford
The 6’0 guard had a breakout senior season offensively and after four years as a starter is moving up to the ACC level and reuniting with his former head coach Mike Young. He had 10 games of at least 20+ points last season and also had 10 games of 4 or more three-pointers made.
Murphy is an elite shooter and good ball-handler who provides something the Hokies haven’t had in a couple of years at the point guard position. After losing Tyrece Radford late in the offseason, more pressure is on Murphy to score to provide balance for the Hokies on offense with Keve Aluma.
14. F Kevin Obanor – Texas Tech Red Raiders
2020-21 stats: 18.7 ppg and 9.6 rpg at Oral Roberts
The only player in the country that had a shooting split of 50-46-88, Obanor was an elite offensive player that is perfect for the pick-n-pop offenses. He was tremendous in the NCAA Tournament as well, averaging nearly 25 ppg in the Sweet 16 run. The 6’8 forward can shoot from deep as well as inside and if he can be a better defender, Obanor has all-conference potential in the Big 12.
What helps Texas Tech with Obanor’s arrival is that his spacing is perfect with the other two key bigs on the roster in Bryson Williams and Marcus Santos-Silva, both of whom prefer to operate close to the basket. Obanor can play with either or them on the court and the guards will benefit from him being a major threat from deep as well.
13. G James Akinjo – Baylor Bears
2020-21 stats: 15.6 ppg and 5.4 apg at Arizona
The 6’1 guard has always been a great scorer, dating back to his first two seasons at Georgetown. But Akinjo proved not only he can be a “lead guard” at Arizona, he also was a very good defender and passer as well. He’s also a career 40% shooter from three-point range too while capable of going for 20+ in a given night.
After losing three star guards (MaCio Teague, Jared Butler, and Davion Mitchell), Baylor will be relying on Akinjo to step in and be an instant impact perimeter player. They’ll need him to put up the same numbers he has in the past but this system may be the perfect spot for Akinjo to shy and finally make the Big Dance.
12. G Matt Bradley – San Diego State Aztecs
2020-21 stats: 18.0 ppg and 4.6 rpg at California
Despite playing on a bad team, Bradley has always been able to produce not only at a high level, but also in an efficient matter. 10 of the 22 games for the 6’4 guard ended in double figure scoring, including 29 points versus Colorado. He’s also a dynamic defender and can play and defend multiple positions on the court.
Bradley is the perfect replacement for last season’s Mountain West Player of the Year Matt Mitchell for the Aztecs and will be depended on to lead them this time around. The former Bear is more than capable and after being All-Pac 12 in the past, Bradley should thrive in the Mountain West and put up major numbers in 2021-22.
11. G Kadary Richmond – Seton Hall Pirates
2020-21 stats: 6.3 ppg and 3.1 apg at Syracuse
His production was limited due to playing behind Joe Girard and Buddy Boeheim in the backcourt but Richmond showed real potential of being a real point guard of an offense, even if he is a 6’5 “forward”. But that versatility is what makes Pirate fans happy they landed him as the replacement for Shavar Reynolds at the position.
Richmond won’t have to do it all for Seton Hall, as guards Jamir Harris and Jared Rhoden are capable offensive threats in their own right. But the Orange transfer can not only lead the offense but his defensive strengths can transform the Pirates into one of the better team defenses in the country, propelling them back to the Big Dance.