Earlier this week, I posted a ranking of the top 100 impact transfers for the 2022-23 NCAA Basketball season. With over 1,000 D-I players switching teams this past offseason, there certainly was plenty to pick from. And not only that, there were a bunch of talented players that were left off.
Rather than completely forget about them, I created a list of 25 transfers that are currently flying under the radar heading into the upcoming season that wasn’t mentioned previously. Rather than making a pure ranking of the individuals, I’ll just be going in alphabetical order by the new teams those players have landed, starting with the letter “A”.
Jalen Graham – Arkansas Razorbacks
2021-22 stats (at Arizona State): 9.9 ppg and 4.6 rpg
The 6’9 forward started 43 games in three seasons at Arizona State and developed into the focal point of the frontcourt on offense. Graham had 15 games in double-digit scoring, including his best performance of 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists against UCLA. He joins a team with three other frontcourt players, including Trevon Brazile. There’s a chance that Graham comes off the bench and gives them a scoring boost, as on paper, he’s the best post scorer on the team.
*Editor’s note: This is not a ranking but rather an alphabetical listing of 25 players. The slides that indicate numbers are there to tell the readers how many are left in the article.
Jaxson Robinson – BYU Cougars
2021-22 stats (at Arkansas): 3.4 ppg and 1.3 rpg
The 6’8 guard spend two seasons at two different programs but couldn’t crack the main rotation. Still, Robinson is a 6’8 guard and solid two-way athlete that can shoot from deep. He’s a former top-100 prospect with three years of eligibility and gives BYU a need defender and shot-creator. After recently losing Trevin Knell due to injury, look for Robinson to potentially start.
Ali Ali – Butler Bulldogs
2021-22 stats (at Akron): 13.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg
The 6’8 forward led Akron in scoring last season while also shooting over 41% from three-point range. Ali may not be the best rebounder but is an underrated passer and should give the Bulldogs another capable offensive option. With a healthy Manny Bates at center, having a capable stretch-four such as Ali will have a nice benefit.
Eral Penn – DePaul Blue Demons
2021-22 stats (at LIU Brooklyn): 17.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg
The 6’7 forward was a late transfer pickup this offseason after LIU Brooklyn fired its head coach. Penn becomes the replacement for David Jones in the frontcourt and if his offense somehow translates, would make DePaul potentially competitive in the Big East this season. He had 37 points in a game against Fairleigh Dickinson so there is potential with him as an offensive threat.
Darin Green – Florida State Seminoles
2021-22 stats (at UCF): 13.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg
The 6’3 guard has been the model of consistency with the Knights, scoring in double figures for all three seasons as a start. Green is a career 37% three-point shooter and had four games of at least 20+ points last season, including a career-high 27 on 7/9 from deep in UCF’s upset of Michigan. He joins a Florida State roster that could use some shooting and veteran guard to keep the depth going.
Khalid Moore – Fordham Rams
2021-22 stats (at Georgia Tech): 5.2 ppg and 3.4 rpg
Moore is a 6’7 combo forward that started 63 games in four seasons at Georgia Tech and was a solid defender and overall role player. However, he never averaged more than 5.2 ppg in a single season. The hope is that his games elevate as he goes to the Atlantic 10 level and becomes a leading piece in the frontcourt that lost star forward Chuba Ohams. Returning leading scorer Darius Quisenberry needs someone to help him in the scoring department and Moore could be that guy.
Matthew-Alexander Moncreiffe – Georgia Bulldogs
2021-22 stats (at Oklahoma State): 4.2 ppg and 3.9 rpg
The 6’7 forward looked like a breakout candidate after averaging 9.0 ppg as a freshman. But he regressed this past season and now moves to a rebuilding program in Georgia. Moncreiffe is a very capable offensive player and now has a big role in a frontcourt that has little depth outside of returning center Braelen Bridges and Syracuse transfer Frank Anselem. The power spot is his, let’s see what Moncreiffe does with it.
Javon Franklin – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2021-22 stats (at South Alabama): 12.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg
The 6’7 transfer has gone from little playing time at Auburn to being a solid starter at the Sun Belt level with the Jaguars. Franklin shot 66% from the field and was effective on the boards but whether it’ll translate to the ACC level is the question. He’s the replacement for Jordan Usher, who also was undersized but effective frontcourt player. If Franklin isn’t a starter that plays at a high level, the Yellow Jackets won’t get any production inside.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu – Memphis Tigers
2021-22 stats (at UT-Arlington): 4.7 ppg and 2.6 bpg
The 6’8 forward is one of the most athletic players in all of NCAA Basketball. Akobundu-Ehiogu has incredible reach and bounce and is highly effective as an interior defender. He won’t give you much offensively outside of lobs or putbacks but Memphis could use another frontcourt athlete to defend whenever Deandre Williams isn’t on the court.
Ta’Lon Cooper – Minnesota Gophers
2021-22 stats (at Morehead State): 9.1 ppg and 5.9 apg
While Johni Broome got all of the attention at Morehead State, the starting point guard Cooper was a very effective perimeter player at the OVC level. He’s now set to start at Minnesota, as the Big Ten program lost about all of their perimeter players from last season. Cooper is a pass-first guard and while he’s not the kind of scorer that Payton Willis was but assuming that Jamison Battle and UNC transfer Dawson Garcia provide most of the scoring in the frontcourt, he’ll be a fine player for the Gophers.
Tre Gomillion – Missouri Tigers
2021-22 stats (at Cleveland State): 10.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates got the job in part due to his ability to completely rebuild Cleveland State into one of the best teams in the Horizon League. The coach brought a couple of players with him, including the 6’4 guard Gomillion. He was a double-digit scorer in each of the past couple of years but also is a former Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year as well. If 20 ppg scorer Isiaih Mosley is the key offensive transfer for the program this offseason, Gomillion is the top defensive newcomer for the Tigers.
Jarkel Joiner – NC State Wolfpack
2021-22 stats (at Ole Miss): 13.2 ppg and 2.3 apg
The 6’4 senior averaged double figures in all four years at Cal State Bakersfield and Ole Miss, proving that he’s a power conference contributor. Joiner joins an NC State that returns star freshman scorer, Terquavion Smith but while he isn’t as good as Dareon Seabron, still is a solid secondary option and a willing one at that. Plus, he’s an upgrade defensive and gives the team a veteran leader as well.
John-Michael Wright – Oklahoma State Cowboys
2021-22 stats (at High Point): 18.4 ppg and 3.4 apg
The 6’1 guard was one of the top players in the Big South, especially as a pure scorer and even averaged over 20 ppg in the year prior. Wright is also consistent as well, having not scored fewer than eight points in the last two seasons total. He joins a Cowboys team that didn’t have anyone average over 12.1 ppg and also lost top passer Isaac Likekele to the transfer portal. OK State will be depending on Wright to step in and have a big impact as a lead guard.
Cam Wynter – Penn State Nittany Lions
2021-22 stats (at Drexel): 15.8 ppg and 4.6 apg
The 6’3 guard has been a star at the CAA level at Drexel for the past few years, including a number of 20+ point games. He shot under 30% this past season but over 40% in the year prior so Wynter will need to be more efficient in that aspect as he moves to the Big Ten. He joins another former mid-major star in Jalen Pickett, who was very good in his first year with the Nittany Lions, leading them in both scoring and passing. If Wynter can be a double-digit contributor, the team will be able to be competitive in the Big Ten.
Blake Hinson – Pittsburgh Panthers
2019-20 stats (at Ole Miss): 10.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg
The 6’7 combo forward was an effective starter in two seasons at Ole Miss. However, due to covid and injuries, Hinson hasn’t played in two years. He’s been cleared to play at Pitt this season and likely will start at the four-spot. Hinson can create his own offense and score in a variety of ways and will be a nice complementary piece to star center John Hugley. His rebounding isn’t as good as last year’s starting forward (Mo Gueye) but he’s a better scoring option.
Micah Parrish – San Diego State Aztecs
2021-22 stats (at Oakland): 12.1 ppg and 6.0 rpg
The 6’6 combo forward made an All-Horizon League team at Oakland and was a double-digit scorer in the past two years. Parrish has plenty of length and athleticism and will be impactful on the wings for the Aztecs. If he can give them something offensively and consistently make a three-pointer, he’ll be a key piece on what should be a top-25 team.
Tyrell Roberts – San Francisco Dons
2021-22 stats (at Washington State): 11.4 ppg and 2.6 rpg
Roberts was a double-digit scorer in his first D-I year and Wazzu but like the rest of his perimeter teammates last season, shot under 36% from the field. He did show at times that he can be a high-volume scorer, including a trio of games of at least 23 points. He goes down to the WCC level with the Dons, essentially replacing star guard Jamaree Bouyea in the backcourt. Roberts has the talent to be an All-WCC player and if that happens, San Fran may not take much of a step back.
Moses Flowers – St. Bonaventure Bonnies
2021-22 stats (at Hartford): 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg
The Bonnies lost all five starters from last season, which was good for 99% of their production. The team added six transfers this offseason, any of whom could be the breakout star and focal point of the offense. The guy most likely is Flowers, who was a double-digit scorer in three years at Hartford and is a capable shooter. The 6’4 scorer had seven games of at least 20 points, as well as five double-doubles. On a team that needs a ton of production to come from the set of newcomers, Flowers is the one most capable of doing a little bit of everything.
Al-Amir Dawes – Seton Hall Pirates
2021-22 stats (at Clemson): 11.3 ppg and 2.3 apg
The 6’3 guard has 66 career starts in three years at Clemson and at times was a big-time scorer. But Dawes was inconsistent, going for 15+ one game to 6 or fewer in the next. What makes Dawes an impact player that Seton Hall will like is that he’s a career 38% shooter from three-point range. That’s an area where the Pirates struggle in the backcourt and Dawes is comfortable playing off the ball, making it a solid fit for the team.
Julius Marble – Texas A&M Aggies
2021-22 stats (at Michigan State): 6.4 ppg and 3.3 rpg
The 6’7 forward has mostly been a bench player for the Spartans but did finally make the rotation last season. Marble is an imposing physical player that’s good defensively and while he’s not much of a scorer, can give Texas A&M more frontcourt depth. He also fits their scheme and style of play and next to Henry Coleman, should be a factor on the roster and a solid body in SEC play.
Kerwin Walton – Texas Tech Red Raiders
2021-22 stats (at North Carolina): 3.4 ppg and 1.2 rpg
The 6’5 wing was a 40% shooter in the past two seasons at North Carolina but the emergence of Leaky Black as an elite defender pushed him out of the rotation. Walton goes to Texas Tech, which loves “3 and D” players. The former Tar Heel definitely has the “3” part and isn’t a bad defender but will have to improve in order to fit Texas Tech’s system. Walton is looking for a bigger role on a contending team and this could be a nice fit for both sides.
Elijah Harkless – UNLV Rebels
2021-22 stats (at Oklahoma): 10.0 ppg and 4.1 rpg
Harkless has been an effective player in all four years of NCAA Basketball and heads back out west to a UNLV program that has a bunch of new pieces once again. Of the group, Harkless has the best chance to break out. He’s a quality defender and capable scorer who should look good in the Mountain West this season.
Franck Kepnang – Washington Huskies
2021-22 stats (at Oregon): 4.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg
The former five-star recruit had to share the frontcourt with N’Faly Dante, with both splitting the minutes. Kepnang was the one that left but did stay in the Pac-12, now with Washington. They didn’t have any frontcourt production last year but Kepnang, along with Kentucky transfer Keion Brooks, should make a formidable duo of bigs this season.
Max Klesmit – Wisconsin Badgers
2021-22 stats (at Wofford): 14.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg
The loss of Big Ten Player of the Year winner Johnny Davis, combined with veteran shooting threat Brad Davison, makes Wisconsin’s backcourt a question mark coming into this season. Even if sophomore guard Chucky Hepburn does indeed break out, they’ll need another guard to be a double-digit scorer. The most likely is Klesmit, who was an effective shooter in the SoCon and is capable of going off for a big night. If he can knock down some threes consistently at the Big Ten level, the Badgers should be okay on the perimeter.
Cam Hayes – LSU Tigers
2021-22 stats (at NC State): 7.3 ppg and 2.1 apg
The former top-100 prospect started 27 of 55 games in two years at NC State and had his fair share of ups and downs. Other Wolfpack guards also breaking out also limited Haye’s role in the backcourt. He joins an LSU squad that has completely turned over its roster under head coach Matt McMahon, including four other transfer guards.
On paper, Hayes is best set to play point guard for the Tigers and allow Illinois transfer Adam Miller to play more off-ball. The team has star forward KJ Williams to lead the way but needs the guards to do their part. If Hayes is the guy that plays well on the perimeter, LSU can be a dark horse threat in the SEC.