We are already into December of the college basketball season. We plan for this to be an ongoing piece, updated every two weeks or so by Jimmy Shaw who is on the Naismith Men’s College Basketball Board of Selectmen. This list addresses the transfers that have the greatest impact on the sport through their play during the season.
Let’s discuss the ten best transfers in college basketball, so far in the 2023-24 season.
1. C. Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Buzz: Hunter Dickinson He is averaging 19.4 points and 12.6 rebounds this season. The transfer from Michigan is the focal point for a Kansas team that ranks No. 2 in the AP Top 25. Over his last five games, since the loss to Marquette in the Maui Invitational, Dickinson has four double-doubles with two games containing 15 or more rebounds. . He’s shooting 63.7 percent from the field on the season, and 57.9 percent from three. No. 2 seed Kansas will play Indiana on Dec. 16.
2. F. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Buzz: Despite a three-game skid, Tennessee got back on track by winning its last two games. Even with stagnant crime, Dalton Knecht He was able to show off his scoring chops. The 6-foot-6 small forward is averaging 19.2 points on 49.2 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from three. Knecht had six or more rebounds in three of his last five games and finished with assists in five of his last six games. The Volunteers will play winless Georgia Southern next, followed by NC State on Dec. 16 in the Hall of Fame Series.
3. J. L. J. Cryer, Houston
Buzz: LJ Cryer Leading the Big 12 in three-point shooting last season, the 6-foot-1 guard shot 39.8 percent from three on 8.8 attempts per game for Houston. The Cougars are currently ranked fourth in the AP Poll and hold a perfect 10-0 record to this point in the season. Cryer is averaging 17.8 points per contest, bringing that number to 20.2 over his last five. The next battle will be in-state for Houst as they face Texas A&M on December 16.
4. J. Cam Spencer, University of California
Buzz: Defending national champions UConn is ranked fifth in the current AP poll, and a lot of that has to do with what Cam Spencer Brought to the table. Spencer, who came to the Huskies after shooting 43.4 percent from three at Rutgers last year, upped that to 45.6 percent on 6.8 attempts per contest. He notably injured his ankle in UConn’s only loss of the season to Kansas, but bounced back to finish with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the following game against UNC. Spencer is averaging 15.8 points and 3.8 assists this season. UConn plays Gonzaga next in the Continental Tire Seattle Tip-Off on Dec. 15.
5. J. Javian McCollum, Oklahoma
Buzz: Oklahoma currently sits at 9-0 and has reached No. 11 in the AP Poll. In the Sooners’ last five games, they have played Providence, Arkansas, USC and Iowa. In those five matches, Javian McCollum He averaged 17.2 points and 3.8 assists per game while the 6-foot-2 guard shot 39.4 percent from three. Next on Oklahoma’s schedule before a matchup with UNC on Dec. 20.
6. J. Caleb Love, Arizona
Buzz: During the past four years Caleb love He became one of the most recognizable names in college basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard has changed the scene this season and now starts for No. 1 seed Arizona. While Love’s shot selection may not be anything to write home about, he takes better care of the ball and torches the Wildcats when Stepping on the ground. Over Love’s last five games, he’s averaging 16.2 points while dishing out 4.8 assists and committing just 1.4 turnovers per contest. The Wildcats will play No. 3 Purdue on Dec. 16.
7. F. David Jones, Memphis
Buzz: College basketball has become accustomed to David Jones Get buckets. In only his third full season, he has already crossed the 1,000-point mark for his career. This year, in Memphis, the 6-foot-6 small forward is averaging 20.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while adding 2.4 steals per contest. Memphis is currently 7-2, and Jones has had 20 or more points in four of his last five games (Texas A&M, VCU, Ole Miss, Villanova, and Arkansas). Memphis will next play No. 13 seed Clemson on Dec. 16.
8. F. Harrison Ingram, United Nations Command
Buzz: What difference a change in role can make for a player. Harrison Ingram He has been asked to be a standout player for Stanford over the past two seasons. This year, he transferred to UNC, in a role where he will serve as a connection piece alongside him RJ Davis And Armando Bacot. In this supporting role, Ingram shines. He’s averaging 15.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while the 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward is also shooting 46.3 percent from three on 4.6 attempts per game. In the Tar Heels’ last game against UConn, Ingram had 20 points, four rebounds and five assists, and in the win over Tennessee, he had 20 points and six rebounds while shooting 4-8 from three. UNC’s next two games will be Dec. 16 against No. 14 seed Kentucky and Dec. 20 against No. 11 seed Oklahoma.
9. J. Ray Dennis, Baylor
Buzz: Ray J. Dennis Playing at Baylor’s point was a major reason the Bears sit at 9-0 and No. 6 in the current AP poll. Over the last four games, Dennis is averaging 7.8 assists per game. On the season, Dennis is putting up 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 44.0 percent from three. He leads the Bears in steals and assists and is second in points. Baylor will play Michigan State on December 16.
10. J. Joe Girard, Clemson
Buzz: Clemson entered the season with expectations. They return a strong core from last year’s team that includes an early ACC Player of the Year candidate PJ Hall. However, Syracuse transferred Joe Girard He played a key role in Clemson’s 9-0 start and current No. 13 ranking. Over the Tigers’ last four games, TCU, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Alabama, Girard has averaged 18.5 points and 3.3 assists per game. He’s also shooting 51.7 percent from three on 7.3 attempts during this stretch. Clemson will next play 7-2 Memphis on December 16.
As the college basketball season enters its fifth week, the transfer portal continues to play a significant role in shaping the landscape of the sport. With numerous high-profile players transferring to new programs, the competition is heating up and teams are looking to strengthen their rosters. The transfer portal power rankings provide a glimpse into which teams have made the biggest moves and are poised to make a splash in the upcoming weeks. As the dust settles on the transfer market, the college basketball world eagerly anticipates how these new additions will impact the rest of the season.