Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) dunks against Toledo forward AJ Edu (15) during the second half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) dunks against Toledo forward AJ Edu (15) during the second half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. /
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Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Javon Small – 6’3 Guard – Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have a lot to replace in 2023-24 as they return just three players from last season’s 20-16 squad. Javon Small is one new addition that will look to turn those odds around as he joins the Cowboys after spending the past two seasons in the American Athletic Conference with the East Carolina Pirates.

Small grew into quite the contributor with the Pirates from 2021-23 as evidenced by his production when inserted into the starting rotation in 2022-23. He appeared in 16 contests across 2021-22 as a member of the Pirates, contributing just 2.0 ppg and 1.1 apg but his status grew in 2022-23.

He blossomed in the starting rotation this past season, starting in 17 of his 18 appearances while producing 15.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.8 rpg and 1.2 spg on 33.3 percent shooting from deep and 39.7 percent shooting from the floor. He was well on his well to a successful season before his season was cut short following a road loss against Cincinnati this past January.

He set his career-high scoring mark at 27 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 shooting from deep back on November 21 against Indiana State.

He’s not the most efficient scorer given just being two years into the college basketball scene but even on his toughest shooting night, he’s filling up the stat sheet in the backcourt. Small finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a victory over High Point back on Dec. 21 that saw him shoot just 4-of-17 from the field and 2-of-8 from behind the arc.

After breaking out in the AAC in 2022-23, Small will look to turn the tide with another breakout performance entering the high major ranks in the Big 12. He’s shown he can knock down shots at volume all over the floor when given opportunities in the starting rotation this past year. Now, he’ll look to really show off his guard skills with the Cowboys as they look to bounce back from a seventh place finish in the conference this past season.

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