NCAA Basketball: Top 25 impact transfers midway through 2022-23 season

8. Keyontae Johnson – Kansas State Wildcats

2022-23 stats: 17.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg

After not playing for nearly two whole years due to a heart condition suffered at Florida, who knew what to expect when he arrived at Kansas State. He’s been as good as he was before, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. Johnson has had at least 13 points in every game, including a season-high 28 points and nine rebounds against Nevada.

His two double-doubles have come against Nebraska and Butler, along with 16 in the team’s best win over LSU. Before Johnson committed, the Wildcats had a roster with not much talent. But with him playing at an All-Big 12 level, Kansas State should be much more competitive than expected, entering league play with an 11-1 record.

7. Blake Hinson – Pittsburgh Panthers

2022-23 stats: 17.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.8 apg

Due to covid and injuries, Hinson also hasn’t played in two years, last playing at Ole Miss. He’s looked like a completely different player with the Panthers, leading them in points and rebounds and becoming the top frontcourt option while last year’s leading scorer, John Hugley, has been out with a knee injury.

Hinson has been in double figures in all but one game, coming off a 25-point and 13-rebound performance in a road victory over Syracuse. Pittsburgh has done well in the transfer portal this offseason, with guards Nelly Cummings and Greg Elliott playing well also. But the big reason why the team is 2-0 in ACC play and with postseason aspirations has clearly been Hinson.