NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 4 contending teams for Kansas State transfer Arthur Kaluma

Memphis Tigers

Pros

If you’re Kaluma, you’re going to want to know what your specific role will be on your new team. One of the options has a clear role in Memphis, who lost its star wing David Jones to the NBA Draft. He was one of the top impact transfers from a year ago, going from St. John’s to a 20 ppg scorer at the AAC level. Had the Tigers not been a disaster in league play, he probably would’ve been Conference Player of the Year this past season.

Kaluma, who is very capable of playing both forward positions, can easily slide in and be the possible go-to option on offense. The backcourt duo of Tulsa transfer PJ Haggerty and former Texas guard Tyrese Hunter will get plenty of shots but Kaluma himself could be the guy. And going from the Big 12 to the AAC could allow him to be the next 20 ppg scorer.

Cons

Despite how well Jones played individually, the team still underachieved overall and missed the NCAA Tournament, And on paper, the roster doesn’t look to be as good, giving them less of a chance to make the Big Dance compared to the power conference options. Plus, Coach Penny Hardaway seems to be a little embattled after the recent disappointments so the overall environment may not be in the greatest of shape.

Going from the Big 12 to the AAC could allow Kaluma to put up more points but will it help his NBA Draft stock? There are pros and cons to moving down a level in its own right and he has just one year of eligibility left so this decision he makes will be his last in NCAA Basketball.