NCAA Basketball: 8 possible grad transfer candidates to watch for 2023

NCAA Basketball transfer target – Ben Sheppard (Belmont Bruins)

2022-23 season stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 2.9 apg

There’s always a couple of mid-major stars that make sense as hidden transfer candidates and the one currently in the draft process is Sheppard, who led Belmont in scoring this past season. He also made 48% of his shots from the field, including a highly efficient 42% from three-point range on six attempts a game.

The 6’6 wing was in double figures in 29 of 32 games, including a season-high 35 points and nine rebounds on 6/11 shooting from deep at Murray State. Sheppard also went for 33 points on 8/11 on 3PT range versus Middle Tennessee and is an underrated passer as well, with multiple 7-assist outings. Another aspect in his favor is that Sheppard also was named to the all-defensive team in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Going from the Ohio Valley Conference to the MVC is a decent leap in competition but Sheppard proved that he can be a quality player. He led Belmont into contention in its first season and the team could bring back most of its talent to possibly be the favorite in 2024.

But, there will be a ton of interest in a quality shooter if he were to enter the portal. Last year’s MVC stars (Isiaih Mosley and Antonio Reeves) ended up in the SEC and Sheppard could do the same thing if he were to enter the portal.