Many programs around the country have adopted the strategy of bringing in multiyear or single year transfers to help them win and fill immediate needs.
No longer is it just for the mid-major programs to load up on potential impact help via the transfer market, but other major programs have joined in on the fun. Programs like Oregon have become like transfer hubs, evidenced by the Ducks’ 2014-2015 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Joseph Young. Young transferred to Oregon from Houston.
This offseason has had the highest number of transfer in history, with the number of players seeking greener pastures exceeding 650. But which schools landed this offseason’s top transfers? Find out below.
Louisville Cardinals: Damoin Lee graduate transfer (Drexel), Trey Lewis graduate transfer (Cleveland State)
Pulling in the best transfer on the market, Damion Lee (21.4 points per game), was a huge coup for Rick Pitino and his staff as they’ll be needing to replace almost their entire offensive attack from an Elite Eight squad. Lee can score in a variety of ways, and made huge improvements to his outside shot during his junior season. Lewis is a dynamic shooter from long range, which means that sophomore point guard Quentin Snider should have plenty of support on the outside.
UConn Huskies: Sterling Gibbs graduate transfer (Seton Hall), Shonn Miller graduate transfer (Cornell)
Kevin Ollie locked down Ryan Boatright’s replacement with Sterling Gibbs, one of the most dynamic scorers returning to college basketball next season. Gibbs should have plenty of freedom in the Huskies’ system that is as reliant on perimeter playmakers as any system in the country. With Miller in the fold, UConn will also have an offensive presence at the forward spot that they haven’t had in recent years.
Maryland Terrapins: Rasheed Sulaimon graduate transfer (Duke)
Bringing in Sulaimon will give Mark Turgeon one of, if not the, most talented starting five in the country. Sulaimon gives UMD a menacing defender on the perimeter unlike they have on the roster, and a player more than capable of stepping outside to knock down shots. If Sulaimon can buy into his role early on, this looks like a perfect fit.
