NCAA Basketball: Top 20 early transfer portal pickups in 2023 offseason

16. Nimari Burnett – Alabama to Michigan

2022-23 stats: 5.6 ppg and 2.0 rpg

The former five-star prospect that originally started at Texas Tech started nine games for Alabama this past season. He had six games of double-figure scoring, including 18 points against Jacksonville State, along with a recent 11 points in an NCAA Tournament victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christie.

Burnett just couldn’t find a large enough role with the Crimson Tide but should at Michigan. They’re very likely losing starting guard Kobe Bufkin to the NBA and there isn’t another shooting guard on the projected roster. There’s still talent there when healthy and the Wolverines are hoping for that next season.

15. Kevin Miller – Central Michigan to Wake Forest

2022-23 stats (4 games): 18.5 ppg and 5.3 apg

He was limited to just a few games this past season but as a freshman, Miller averaged 13.2 ppg and 4.6 apg for CMU. That included five games of at least 20 points, along with a pair of games of 10+ assists. One of those was a 21-point and 12-assist performance in a win over Bowling Green.

Coach Steve Forbes has had massive success with the transfer portal in the past two seasons. One was former ACC Player of the Year Alondes Williams and the other was Tyree Appleby, who led the conference in scoring this year. If Miller, who when healthy, is capable of putting up big numbers, can have a similar impact, the Demon Deacons will be in good shape.