Big Ten Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

Olivier Nkamhoua – 6’9 Forward – Michigan Wolverines

Finland native Olivier Nkamhoua joins the Michigan Wolverines rotation as one of three additions out of the transfer portal to keep an eye on after a decorated career in the SEC with the Tennessee Volunteers. Nkamhoua is a versatile stretch-forward with an opportunity to lead the Wolverines back to Big Ten prominence following an 18-16 campaign in 2022-23.

He’s turned into quite the frontcourt presence over the last four seasons with 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg on 51.8 percent shooting from the field across 112 appearances. He waited his turn his freshman and sophomore seasons and in turn, he’s become highly-sought after as a graduate transfer as an addition to the Michigan Wolverines rotation heading into 2023-24.

The 6-foot-9 big man produced 10.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 2.0 apg on 51.3 percent shooting from 3-point range in 2022-23 with the Volunteers. He’s not shy about getting others involved given the attention he draws in the paint. He knocked down a career-high 18 3-pointers on 33.3 percent shooting from 3-point range.

He’s also got three years of NCAA Tournament experience under his belt, though he played sparingly in 2021. He tied his career-high with 27 points back on March 18 against the Duke Blue Devils in a victory that sent them to the Sweet 16. The versatile forward knocked down 3-of-4 3-pointers and went 10-for-13 from the field along with five rebounds to surge his squad forward to victory.

Nkamhoua has shown he can impose his will on opponents despite not having huge block output. The potential is certainly there though for him to fill the void left by Hunter Dickinson’s departure. He finished ranked seventh this past season in the SEC in defensive rating (91.5).