28. KeShawn Murphy, Auburn
Last season at Mississippi State, KeShawn Murphy only started in three games. But that didn’t mean he didn’t make an impact.
The 6-foot-10 forward/big averaged 11.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG, shooting 56.6% from the field. In just 24 minutes per game, Murphy was eighth in the SEC in rebounds per game. He had the highest defensive rating on the entire Mississippi State team last season.
Murphy is the definition of a terrorizing two-way player. He’s tough as nails and an efficient finisher inside the paint -- a perfect addition for Bruce Pearl as the Auburn Tigers learn to adjust to life without John Broome in the frontcourt.
27. Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
It’s a big year for Hubert Davis, and seven-footer Henri Veesar will be tasked with playing a significant role for the UNC Tar Heels’ frontcourt in 2025-26.
Veesar, who played at Arizona last season, averaged 9.4 PPG and 5.0 RPG, shooting 59.2% from the field. He’s a stretch-five big man who also shot an impressive 32.7% from three. According to Adam Finkelstein, Veesar finished second in the Big 12 in both two-point field goal percentage (70%) and offensive rating (133.7).
There’s no question that North Carolina faced plenty of frontcourt woes last season. It’s the hope that Veesaar can provide that much-needed rim protection and offensive-rebounding prowess in their new-look frontcourt.
26. Rodney Rice, USC
Rodney Rice had a spectacular breakout season at Maryland last year, averaging 13.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG and 2.1 APG on a Terrapin squad that won 27 games, reaching the Sweet 16.
After the departure of Kevin Willard to Villanova, Rice heads west to USC and looks to, once again, make an immediate impact in the backcourt.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard shot 37.4% from three last season and was one of the top catch-and-shoot shooters in the Big Ten. Rice, who doesn’t turn it over often, stays in control and showed he can be a lethal mid-range threat when playing off screens from the likes of Julian Reese and Derik Queen.
There’s a realistic scenario in which Rice can be USC’s leading sorcerer next season. Expect another big year for the incoming junior.
25. LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech
When LeJuan Watts entered the transfer portal in early April, it was without question that there was going to be a long line of suitors for the former Washington State forward.
Last season with the Cougars, Watts stuffed the stat line, averaging 13.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 4.4 APG, shooting 55% from the field and an impressive 42.2% clip from behind the arc.
What’s even more impressive is that Watts has a career 64% true shooting percentage and boasted a 25.1% assist rate last season. And, despite his size, Watts is extremely versatile, showing he can score at the rim in post-up situations.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Watts’ skillset will translate over to the Big 12 level, making Watts not only the most important transfer for Texas Tech, but among the top transfers in the country altogether.