Big East Basketball: Top transfer addition for each team for 2022-23 season

Big East basketball made a ton of improvements in their ranks as another season of NCAA basketball approaches. Here’s a look at each team’s impact transfer looking to make a name for themselves in the conference in 2022-23.

Villanova is the lone team from the conference that didn’t add a player from the transfer portal.

Manny Bates, 6’11 Forward/Center, Butler Bulldogs

Manny Bates is the first key addition out of the transfer portal from the ACC’s NC State Wolfpack for the Butler Bulldogs. He joins the Butler rotation looking to turn around a program that’s gone 24-34 across the past two seasons under LaVall Jordan. As they look to return to prominence, adding Bates has certainly pointed them in the right direction.

He produced 7.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 2.7 bpg across his time with the Wolfpack, appearing in 54 contests (50 starts). While not highly decorated, just yet, his best days of basketball are certainly ahead of him. He earned All-Defensive honors in 2020-21, finishing second in the ACC in blocks (64), and 15th among all NCAA players.

A right shoulder injury cut his 2021-22 season short one game into things this past season. With a fresh start on the horizon and the Big East at his disposal, look for Bates to make waves with his two-way presence.

He’s a lengthy big man that shoots at an efficient rate around the rim. He shot 64.7 percent from the field during his tenure with the Wolfpack. Look for his production to rise with Butler as a feature name in the frontcourt.