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NCAA Basketball: Top 15 impact high-major JUCO transfers for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 17, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Chad Baker-Mazara (20) celebrates during the first half against the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Chad Baker-Mazara (20) celebrates during the first half against the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Curt Lewis – Missouri Tigers

2022-23 season stats (John A. Logan): 14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and 3.8 apg

Lewis averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in two years at Eastern Kentucky so his becoming a star at the JUCO level isn’t a surprise. He ended up winning National JUCO Player of the Year for the team that won a national title as well. In the finals, Lewis went for a team-high 18 points, along with a season-high 27 in the semis against Tallahassee. He joins a completely new Missouri roster that includes transfers, Caleb Grill, Tamar Bates, and John Tonje. But as long as the Tigers use three-guard lineups, Lewis should make his way into the rotation.

2. Daveon Thomas – Cincinnati Bearcats

2022-23 season stats (Kilgore): 19.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 3.1 apg

One of the top two-way players last season, Thomas went for seven games of 25+ points, including 33 against Nothern Oklahoma. The 6’0 ball-handler also averaged nearly two steals a game. Without the top three passers on the team around, Cincinnati will be using both Thomas and four-star freshman Jizzle James to run the offenses this season. There’s a good chance that the experienced playmaker will get the nod to start out.

1. Chad Baker-Mazara – Auburn Tigers

2022-23 season stats (Northwestern Florida State): 15.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg

In two years at Duquesne and San Diego State, the versatile 6’7 wing averaged 7.4 ppg on 41% shooting from deep. That kind of efficiency remained at the JUCO level, making 47% of his three-point attempts and eight games of 20+ points, including 30 against North Florida Prep. Baker-Mazara also had a game-high 21 points in the title game victory over John A. Logan.

Next. Preseason AAC power rankings for 2023-24. dark

Without Allen Flanigan around, Auburn is in need of a small forward this year. And they have options, between Baker-Mazara and D-II transfer, Chaney Johnson. But the spacing potential allows this prospect to not only play at the 3 but also the four alongside center Johni Broome. Baker-Mazara has already proved he can be an effective power conference contributor but with the Tigers, this could be the place for him to break out on a national level.

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