SEC Basketball: 5 most underrated transfers heading into 2022-23 season

MADISON, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 29: Antonio Reeves #12 of the Illinois State Redbirds dribbles the basketball up court during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on December 29, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Badgers defeated the Redbirds 89-85. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

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Murray State’s Tevin Brown Ds3422ovcmbksemi002 /

3. G Eric Reed Jr., Mississippi State

Eric Reed Jr. is making a big jump to join Chris Jans’ first Mississippi State squad, moving up from Southeast Missouri State. Once Reed acclimates to the higher level, he should make a big impact on the Bulldogs.

Reed is no stranger to making leaps. He started his career at Howard College before moving up to SEMO in 2020-21. He quickly emerged as a lightning scorer for the Redhawks, averaging 11 points per game in his first season, the program’s second-leading scorer.

Reed took another step forward last year, earning a spot on the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team. He averaged 16.1 points per game and finished in the top ten in the league in scoring, free throw percentage (81.5 percent), and three-point percentage (36.2 percent).

Whether he can score at that rate while facing SEC defenses remains to be seen, as this is yet another step up on the proverbial ladder of competition for Reed. But he adjusted fairly quickly in the OVC, so he might be able to do so again.

Jans brought in a few guards from the transfer portal for his first season with Mississippi State. Jamel Horton and Dashawn Davis will also be competing for minutes.

But Reed feels as if he might have the highest ceiling among the trio. It will be fun to see if he quickly becomes a flash scorer for the Bulldogs.

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