Transfers have become a major part of college basketball and next season will be no different.
Check out our list below for five impact transfers heading into 2016-17.
Marcus Foster, G, Creighton: All coaches say that a transfer is their best player when he’s in his redshirt year, but when Greg McDermott did that the past year about Foster it was beyond believable. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged in double-figures in each of his two years at Kansas State and has the chops to be a first-team All-Big East player. Look for Foster and Maurice Watson to potentially form the most explosive backcourt in their conference and bring the Bluejays back to the NCAA Tournament.
Johnathan Williams III, PF, Gonzaga: No Kyle Wiltjer at power forward? No problem. The Bulldogs will miss Wiltjer’s ability to stretch the floor at the four spot, but have another capable transfer ready to take his place in Williams. The 6-9 power forward averaged 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds two years ago at Missouri and will give Mark Few an anchor to lean on inside.
Josh Newkirk, PG, Indiana: Like a cheetah in an open field, Newkirk has blazing quickness for a point guard. A former floor general at Pitt, the Raleigh native will be responsible for replacing Yogi Ferrell at the most important position on the floor. Newkirk should be a menace in the open court and get his teammates high percentage looks thanks to his ability to blow by defenders at will. He averaged 5.9 points and 2.7 assists in 20.8 minutes two years ago for the Panthers.
Semi Ojeleye, PF, SMU: How will the Mustangs replace both Markus Kennedy and Jordan Tolbert up front? It starts and ends with Ojeleye. After a year and a half at Duke, the 6-8 power forward will bring size and skill to Larry Brown’s front court. Ojeleye can beat people inside and out thanks to his ability to stretch the defense. This will be a major producer for SMU in 2016-17.
Austin Nichols, PF, Virginia: Nichols was an all-conference player at Memphis and he’ll be the same thing at Virginia. The 6-9 power forward averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 rebounds two years ago for the Tigers and should form a potent inside-outside duo with London Perrantes. Nichols will be one of the best post players in the ACC next season.
