NCAA Basketball: Ryan Nembhard, El Ellis among top 50 transfer pickups of the week
It’s been the biggest week this offseason when it comes to the NCAA Basketball transfer portal and many decisions that came out of it. We’ve finally reached the point where more players are leaving instead of entering, with a number of power conference caliber starters and contributors landing at new homes.
There were so many transfers that had a high-enough profile this past week that I’ve once again had to extend the list. This time, it’s a whopping 50 players. Here’s who committed and their impact on their respective new teams.
Honorable Mention: Quinn Slazinski – Iona to St. John’s
The 6’8 forward was limited to seven games this past season, averaging 11.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Slazinski previously played at Louisville as well and is back to the power conference level, following Coach Rick Pitino to the Red Storm. They’ll need him to be able to stretch the floor to fit well with Joel Sorinano in the frontcourt.
HM Rivaldo Soares – Oregon to Oklahoma
The former JUCO All-American started 33 games for the Ducks this season, averaging 7.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. It wasn’t on efficient numbers, shooting just 38% from the field and 35% from deep. He did have 21 points and 10 rebounds against UC-Irvine in the NIT Tournament and Oklahoma is hoping he can be part of a more athletic backcourt next year.
HM RJ Melendez – Illinois to Georgia
The former top-60 prospect started 18 games this past season for Illinois but injuries limited his overall production. The 6’7 wing shot just 38% from the field but did have a few good scoring games, including 17 points against Lindenwood and a double-double versus Minnesota. He joins a brand new roster at Georgia with a chance to carve out a high-level role.
HM Jason Nelson – Richmond to VCU
The 5’10 freshman guard started 26 games at Richmond, averaging 8.0 ppg and 2.0 apg on 36% shooting from the field. Nelson had a few big scoring games, including 21 points against Northern Iowa. He joins new head coach Ryan Odom a few miles away at conference rival VCU, with a completely new roster.
HM Yohan Traore – Auburn to UC Santa Barabara
The former five-star prospect barely played as a freshman at Auburn and transferred down to the Big West. But Traore could prove to be one of the biggest impactful players at a new stop next season, replacing former power conference and all-league bigs, Andre Kelly and Niles Norris.
HM MJ Rice – Kansas to NC State
Due to injuries and playing on a crowded wing position, Rice was limited to just 2.3 ppg with few minutes. He returns home to an NC State squad with a completely revamped roster, hoping that the former five-star prospect can have a bounce-back year.