Part II: 23 Impact College Basketball Transfers for 2023

Titles aren't won in the offseason, but championship-caliber players can be acquired via the transfer portal across these spring and summer months. I've compiled a list of the biggest impact transfers this offseason, with numbers 11-23 listed below. If you missed part one, be sure to check it out.

Note: The grades of players are as they will be listed during the 2023-24 season

11. Jr. F Harrison Ingram (Stanford → TBD)

2022-23 stats: 10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 40.8 FG%

Harrison Ingram was highly-touted as a high school recruit and was considered a huge get for Jerod Haase and Stanford. Ingram played well during his two seasons at Stanford, but he wasn’t quite the savior that could carry the program to great success. Ingram has been generally efficient from the field (40.8 FG%), but hasn’t been excellent from three. He was good for a few buckets each night, but rarely exploded and put on masterclass performances. I think Ingram should benefit greatly from transferring to a team with more talent that won’t rely on him to be a top scorer. He has the profile of a perfect glue guy, someone that can positively impact the game and score without needing to hog the ball. It seems elite programs generally agree with me, as powerhouses like Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina are heavily involved in Ingram’s recruitment. Away from Stanford, I believe Harrison Ingram will find a more comfortable role and blossom as a player.

12. Sr. G Steven Ashworth (Utah State → Creighton)

2022-23 stats: 16.2 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 43.4 3P%, 45.8 FG%

I’ve said that virtually all of these guys are players that any team would love to have. This is true, they’re all great and on this list for a reason! However, Steven Ashworth could instantly gel well with any team in the country, something that often isn’t the case for transfers. Why is this the case for Ashworth? Simply put, he’s an absolute sniper from beyond the arc. He started off with a solid 36.5 3P% his freshman year, bumped that up to 39.2 3P% his sophomore year, then jumped to a 43.4 3P%, good for 6th best in the country. It doesn’t really matter what system or set-up a coach runs, great shooting is great shooting and Ashworth is one of the greatest shooters in college basketball. It’s worth noting that Ashworth lacks a ton of athleticism, but his outside shot is so pure and he’s underrated as a passer (4.5 APG). To me, Ashworth is a blend of Kyle Korver at Creighton (in terms of efficiency) and J.J. Reddick at Duke (in terms of volume). Should he end up at a school like Gonzaga or Creighton, two schools that have shown interest in him, Steven Ashworth could have a 2021-22 North Carolina Brady Manek impact, that being in terms of providing energy, intensity, and efficiency as a new member of a program that is aiming to win a National Championship.

UPDATE: Steven Ashworth has committed to Creighton

13. 5th yr Sr. F Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee → TBD)

2022-23 stats: 10.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 51.3 FG%

Olivier Nkamhoua was barely part of Tennessee’s rotation throughout his first two seasons in Knoxville, but has since emerged as a catalyst for the team’s success. The simple stats won’t blow you away, but Nkamhoua was such a steady and necessary presence, a true glue guy. I think there’s more upside for him to grow as a scorer, though, as he didn’t demand an excess amount of touches at Tennessee. When he took shots in Tennessee’s most important games, he delivered. His 27 point performance in the Round of 32 against Duke was masterful, but you can also look at regular season games against Texas (27 points) and Arizona (16 points) where Nkamhoua elevated his game against great competition. Olivier is a bit of a tweener at 6’9”, but he’s capable of grabbing rebounds and is a respectable athlete. He won’t burn defenses from deep, but he’ll put up threes if he’s left open. Not to mention, Nkamhoua is a stout defender that can be deployed against the opposing team’s top scoring threat. All this is to say that Olivier Nkamhoua can be the engine that keeps his team moving and finding success. Whether or not he takes shots more frequently, he’s the epitome of a glue guy. Michigan has been mentioned frequently as a landing spot, while Arizona could be a nice fit if Azuolas Tubelis departs.

14. So. C Kel’el Ware (Oregon → Indiana)

2022-23 stats: 6.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 45.7 FG%

Most of the players on this list have already established themselves as good to great college basketball players, but that is not the case here. Kel’el Ware was a consensus top ten recruit coming out of high school and many believed that he’d quickly become a pivotal player for Oregon. That didn’t come to fruition, though, as he averaged 15.8 MPG and only started a handful of games, posting a lackluster 6.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG. Playing that number of minutes, it’d be hard to be a consistent double digit scorer, but Ware only eclipsed 10 points a few times as an Oregon Duck. Despite his disappointing freshman campaign, the upside for Ware is still incredibly high and he could become a lottery pick in the coming years. Why is that? At 7’, Ware is a solid presence in the post, but he also has the athleticism, passing ability, and IQ to handle the ball. His 27.3 3P% last season was quite bad, but he was regarded as a strong shooter coming out of high school and I believe that he’ll improve his perimeter presence moving forward. The tools are there for Ware, it’s just a matter of him getting properly acclimated to this level of basketball in terms of intensity and endurance. Indiana fans will certainly miss Trayce Jackson-Davis, but Kel’el Ware is an exciting addition that could help negate the loss of Jackson-Davis.

15. Sr. G TJ Bamba (Washington State → Villanova)

2022-23 stats: 15.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 37.2 3P%, 42.6 FG%

TJ Bamba was a fine role player to begin his career, but exploded as a junior at Washington State. What led to his breakout? Well, it was largely due to an increased workload. Bamba shot the ball well during his first two seasons, but he didn’t shoot as frequently as he should have. This past year, he averaged 4.8 3PA per game and made 37.2% of them, quite solid marks. As a whole, Bamba doubled his field goal attempts from previous seasons and wound up making his shots at an even better rate. Bamba got the opportunity to create looks for himself and he greatly succeeded. Bamba was allegedly down to Villanova and Georgia Tech, while also entering his name into the NBA Draft, but he has now verbally committed to Villanova. Assuming he returns to school, Villanova is a fantastic fit for TJ Bamba, as he will have opportunities to take shots, but also get paired with a great talent in G Justin Moore.

16. So. G JJ Starling (Notre Dame → Syracuse)

2022-23 stats: 11.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 42.1 FG%

Like Kel’el Ware, JJ Starling was a five star recruit in the 2022 class. After a year at Notre Dame, Starling has chosen to return to his home state of New York and attend Syracuse. At Notre Dame, he was often a strong scorer towards the bucket, but never truly found his stroke from deep. Starling had an encouraging year overall and it’s hard to imagine he’ll shoot worse than 29.5% from beyond the arc like he did this past season. He’s capable of facilitating and setting up others, but he didn’t consistently display that last season. With Syracuse losing basically all of their top contributors (pending Judah Mintz’s NBA decision), Starling should immediately be the face of the program and have endless opportunities to show off his skills. In his current form, Starling is a solid player that is solid near the rim. If Starling can bump up his efficiency from three and create plays for his teammates more consistently, he’ll certainly be a first round pick and an all-ACC player.

17. F Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado → TBD)

2022-23 stats: 20.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 38.1 3P%, 47.9 FG%

I’d be lying if I said I was a frequent follower of the Northern Colorado Bears basketball last season. With that being said, Dalton Knecht’s resume and highlight reel speak volumes to the kind of player he is and the kind of impact he can make at a higher level of college basketball. Knecht spent two years at junior college before landing at Northern Colorado. He was solid in his first year there, but wasn’t a focal point in the offense. This past season, Knecht took over the program, averaging 20.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG with a 47.9 FG%. At mid-majors, you often see players score many points by taking many shots, but that often doesn’t come with efficiency and wise shot selection. That isn’t the case for Knecht, which is why he should transition well to his new team. Knecht’s recruitment seems to be all over the place, with west coast Oregon, midwest Indiana, and southern North Carolina and Tennessee all in the mix for the 6’6” small forward.

18. G Aaron Estrada (Hofstra → TBD)

2022-23 stats: 20.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 47.8 FG%

College of Charleston dominated the headlines in the Colonial Athletic Association this year, deservedly so, but the Hofstra Pride quietly had a great year. The pride of Hostra? Aaron Estrada, the CAA Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons. Estrada spent his first two years at Saint Peter’s and Oregon, respectively, before breaking out at Hofstra the past two seasons. His 20.2 PPG ranked in the top 25 for scoring in the country and he did it with consistency and precision. In 31 games, Estrada scored in double digit figures 30 times. Impressive. He likely won’t repeat that remarkable feat, but he’s a player that can single-handedly take over games, regardless of the competition he’s facing. Aaron Estrada will be picking from the following four schools: Alabama, Cincinnati, Florida State, and Kansas State.

19. RS Jr. C John Hugley IV (Pittsburgh → TBD)

2021-22 stats:14.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 47.1 FG%

John Hugley spent three years at Pittsburgh, but only played one complete season. He was suspended for the majority of his freshman year due to a criminal investigation, played a full sophomore season, but then injured his knee and ultimately opted out of the 2022-23 season and took a REDSHIRT year after just eight games. There seems to be some baggage and uncertainty with Hugley, no doubt. However, he’s worth the trouble if he’s healthy and on the court. Pitt wasn’t good across the 2021-22 season, but Hugley was a big bright spot, averaging 14.8 PPG and 7.9 RPG in 32 games. Hugley stands at 6’9”, which is on the smaller side for your typical big man, but he clearly can handle his own inside the paint. He’s not much of a perimeter threat, but he’s competent at the free throw line and is efficient with his shots. Hugley’s recruitment appears to be very open, with Nebraska, Oklahoma, and West Virginia being a few programs supposedly involved. Wherever John Hugley IV lands, I’ll be tuning in to see if he can return to form and help contribute on a winning team.

20. So. G Keyon Menifield (Washington → Arkansas)

2022-23 stats: 10.0 PPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 41.0 FG%

After one season at Washington, Keyon Menifield is south bound to play for Eric Musselman and the Razorbacks. Menifield is just a tick above 6’ tall, but he can impact the game in many different ways. As a scorer, Menifield is explosive when he gets down hill and is a better three-point shooter than his 33.0 3P% indicates. Playing as a true point guard, he has impeccable vision and makes crafty plays to benefit his teammates. The rebounding numbers won’t pop off the page for Menifield, but he’s a scrappy player that isn’t afraid to crank up the intensity and get physical. When guarded by Menifield, be aware that he’s skilled at stealing the ball and can subsequently take the ball coast-to-coast. There’s no doubt that Menifield has room to improve as a shooter. Knocking down threes at a more efficient clip and making more free throws (69.8 FT%) would go a long way in Menifield’s development. Arkansas has produced some great players as of late and Musselman has done well in getting his (many) transfers quickly acclimated to the program. I love this fit for Keyon Menifield and think he will flourish in Fayetteville.

21. Jr. G/F Brandon Murray (Georgetown → Ole Miss)

2022-23 stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 39.7 FG%

Brandon Murray, a former top 100 prospect in the class of 2021, will be playing for his third school in three years. He began his career at LSU, transferred to Georgetown after Will Wade was fired, and now will play for new Ole Miss coach Chris Beard. He was a solid contributor at both schools, averaging 11.7 PPG on 41% shooting. Murray has the profile of a great player, as he blends his athleticism and scoring ability with quality length and physicality. By watching Murray play for just a few minutes, you can tell that he’s a certified bucket getter. He’s not afraid to pull up from beyond the arc, but his 31.6 3P% leaves something to be desired, especially considering he shoots nearly four threes per game. Murray is explosive, but when he isn’t able to finish, he has struggled at the charity stripe (career 66.0 FT%). Ole Miss hasn’t been very good the last few seasons, but with Chris Beard taking over in Oxford, the Rebels could be in for a quick turnaround. If Brandon Murray continues to progress, he can lead the charge in an Ole Miss resurgence.

22. 5th yr Sr. G Sahvir Wheeler (Kentucky → TBD)

2022-23 stats: 7.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 36.6 3P%, 41.7 FG%

With Sahvir Wheeler, you know what you’re gonna get. He started his career at Georgia, then played the last two seasons at Kentucky, although he battled injuries to conclude his Kentucky career. Wheeler’s statistics from his first three seasons appear to be more impressive than his numbers last year, but there is some context that must be added. At Georgia, Wheeler was a bit of a one-man wrecking crew, which meant he scored frequently, but not as efficiently. As Kentucky was constructed during the 2021-22 season, his scoring presence was needed a bit more. However, Wheeler has drastically cut down on turning the ball over, a crucial development for one of the most prolific facilitators in college basketball. He can pick apart defenses with his passing, as shown by his career mark of 6.1 APG. He isn’t an elite shooter, but he doesn’t huck threes recklessly and is capable of knocking down some jumpers. Wheeler is also a pest on defense, not afraid to press the ball handler and exert maximum intensity. He’s not a star at the high power five level, but traditional point guards like him aren’t easy to come by these days. A return to Georgia is surprisingly a legitimate possibility, but I’d like him to wind up at Kansas State and take over for Markquis Nowell in Manhattan. Sahvir Wheeler is small at 5’9”, but can make a big impact on the court when he’s healthy.

23. 5th yr Sr. F Jamison Battle (Minnesota → Ohio State)

2022-23 stats: 12.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 37.1 FG%

After spending two years at George Washington, then two years at Minnesota, Jamison Battle will head to Ohio State for his fifth year of eligibility. Each year, Battle has been able to score at a high rate, as indicated by his career 14.4 PPG. He was spectacular during the 2021-2022 season, averaging 17.5 PPG on 36.6 3P% and 45.0 FG%, but took a step back with his 12.4 PPG on 31.1 3P% and 37.1 FG% this past season. Battle has been on a losing team that lacks talent each year in college, but Ohio State could/should be able to surround him with more playmakers. I think he’s probably hit his ceiling in terms of volume scoring, but with a better team around him and less of a need to force shots, Jamison Battle should be a useful contributor for the Buckeyes.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Who do you think is the best player in the portal? Who do you want your team to land? Let me know in the comments below!

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