Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball: 10 biggest impact transfers midway through 2021-22

By Harry Schroeder

Bradley's Terry Roberts (0) moves the ball past Maine's Maks Klanjscek in the first half Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Carver Arena. The Braves defeated the Black Bears 71-39.
Bradley's Terry Roberts (0) moves the ball past Maine's Maks Klanjscek in the first half Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Carver Arena. The Braves defeated the Black Bears 71-39. /
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Illinois State forward and Appalachian State Mountaineer Kendall LewisRandy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Illinois State forward and Appalachian State Mountaineer Kendall LewisRandy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10 – Kendall Lewis – Illinois State

According to coach Dan Muller, Lewis is an elite defender and he’s averaging over nine points and nearly six rebounds per game. His 14 blocked shots and 13 steals give an indication of his defensive prowess. His reliable defense is one of the reasons Lewis is one of the Valley’s top ten transfers.

Lewis has started all 13 games for the greatly improved Redbirds (8-5) and is the team’s fifth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. Muller’s squad was picked tenth in the Valley’s preseason poll. They’ve won four straight games and six of their last seven.

Lewis is converting over 52% of his field-goal attempts and the 6’8 forward is connecting on 40% of his three-point shots.

Guard Mark Freeman is another D1 transfer helping in the ISU renaissance.

No. 9 – Malevy Leons – Bradley

Leons is the reigning NJCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year (Mineral Area College) and has brought immediate impact to Bradley’s team. His numbers (10.8 ppg – 5.1 rpg) are good and his defense and three-point shooting have been solid. The Netherlands native is converting .405 from deep and leads the Braves with 17 blocked shots.

As he has earned coach Brian Wardle’s trust, his minutes have increased. During Bradley’s (6-6) recent run of success, Leons is averaging over 30 minutes per game and the team has won five of its last six games.

Leons is one of Bradley’s three impact transfers. Mikey Howell and Terry Roberts are the others playing major roles on this year’s team.