NCAA Basketball: Top 100 impact transfers for 2022-23 season
25. Matthew Mayer – Illinois Fighting Illini
2021-22 stats (at Baylor): 9.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg
Mayer was part of the 2021 national title sqaud and is known as one of the better stretch forwards in NCAA Basketball. He had a down year at Baylor last season but now joins an Illinois team where he’ll certainly have a larger role. The 6’9 forward is a good defender and shooter and could easily flourish under head coach Brad Underwood.
24. Michael Jones – Stanford Cardinal
2021-22 stats (at Davidson): 11.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg
Due to their lofty academic standards, Stanford has never gotten an incoming transfer. That changed with former Davidson guard Michael Jones, who was one of the best pure shooters from the transfer portal this offseason Jones shot 42% from deep last season, including an 8/9 shooting performance in his 29-point effort against Richmond. The Cardinal weren’t strong in that area last season so Jones is a welcomed addition, especially considering how hard it is to get someone to the school.
23. Norchad Omier – Miami Hurricanes
2021-22 stats (at Arkansas State): 17.9 ppg and 12.2 rpg
Omier is the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year and was one of the top rebounders in NCAA Basketball last season, including a program-record 26 boards in one game. He also had a few 30+ point games as well so is a capable scorer inside as well. The 6’7 forward now is the focal point of the Hurricanes’ frontcourt and his lack of size may be an issue as he moves up to the ACC level. But as long as Omier keeps his energy and physicality, he’s sure to still be an impactful player for them.
22. Jaelin Llewellyn – Michigan Wolverines
2021-22 stats (at Princeton): 15.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg
It’s another Ivy League transfer for the Wolverines that’ll be running their offense and this time it’s a quality scorer in the 6’2 Llewellyn. He had eight games of at least 20 points last season, including 29 versus Harvard. The senior playmaker also shot 39% from deep and is comfortable creating his own shot. Llewellyn isn’t much of a passer though so him being the point guard will be a transition for him to make but next to star center Hunter Dickinson, the Princeton transfer will likely be the No. 2 option on offense.
21. Jacob Grandison – Duke Blue Devils
2021-22 stats (at Illinois): 9.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg
The 6’6 guard is in his 6th year after spending time at both Holy Cross and Illinois and became a quality three-point shooter in the last two years, making over 41%. Grandison isn’t coming to Duke to be a star but rather as an effective role player that can play and guard multiple positions. His shooting ability addresses a need on the roster and with Dariq Whitehead potentially out to start the season, Grandison could very well start for the Blue Devils as well. His presence may not look like much at times on paper but he could play a pivotal role in them making another Final Four run.