College Basketball: Week 5 Transfer Portal Power Rankings

We are already into December of the college basketball season. We plan for this to be an ongoing piece, updated every other week or so by Jamie Shaw who is on the Naismith Men’s College Basketball Board of Selectors. This list looks at the transfers who are having the biggest effect on the sport through their in-season play.

Let’s discuss the top ten transfers in college basketball, so far in the 2023-24 season.

1. C Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

The Buzz: Hunter Dickinson is averaging 19.4 points and 12.6 rebounds on the season. The transfer from Michigan is the focal point of a Kansas team ranked second in the A.P. Top 25. Over his last five games, since the loss to Marquette at the Maui Invitational, Dickinson has four double-doubles with two games having 15 or more rebounds. He is shooting 63.7 percent from the field on the season, and 57.9 percent from three. No. 2 ranked Kansas will play Indiana next on Dec. 16.

2. F Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

The Buzz: Despite a three-game skid, Tennessee has gotten back on track winning their last two. Even with an offense that gained the reputation as stagnant last season, Dalton Knecht has been able to show 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 has had six or more rebounds in three of his last five games and finished with multiple assists in five of his last six. The Volunteers will play winless Georgia Southern next, followed by NC State on Dec. 16 in the Hall of Fame Series.

3. G LJ Cryer, Houston

The Buzz: LJ Cryer led the Big 12 in three-point shooting last season, and the 6-foot-1 guard has jumped out to shoot 39.8 percent from three on 8.8 attempts per game with Houston. The Cougars currently sit at No. 4 in the A.P. Poll carrying a perfect 10-0 record to this point in the season. Cryer is averaging 17.8 points per contest, amping that number up to 20.2 over his last five. An in-state battle is up next for Houst as they face Texas A&M on Dec. 16.

4. G Cam Spencer, UConn

The Buzz: Defending national champions UConn sits firm at No. 5 in the current A.P. Poll, and a lot of that has to do with what Cam Spencer has brought to the table. Spencer, who came to the Huskies after shooting 43.4 percent from three at Rutgers last year, has upped that to 45.6 percent on 6.8 attempts per contest. He noticeably injured his ankle in UConn’s lone loss of the season to Kansas, but bounced right back to finish with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists 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. G Javian McCollum, Oklahoma

The Buzz: Oklahoma currently sits at 9-0 and has shot all the way up to No. 11 in the A.P. Poll. In the Sooners’ last five games, they have played Providence, Arkansas, USC, and Iowa. In those five games, Javian McCollum has averaged 17.2 points and 3.8 assists per game while the 6-foot-2 guard has shot 39.4 percent from three. Next on the schedule for Oklahoma before a matchup with UNC on Dec. 20.

6. G Caleb Love, Arizona 

The Buzz: Over the past four years Caleb Love has become one of the more recognizable names in college basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard had a change of scenery this season and he now starts for the No. 1 ranked Arizona team. While Love’s shot selection might never be anything to write home about, he is taking better care of the ball and is bringing a fire to the Wildcats when he steps on the floor. Over Love’s last five games played, he has averaged 16.2 points while dishing out 4.8 assists and only coughing up 1.4 turnovers per contest. The Wildcats will play No. 3 Purdue on Dec. 16.

7. F David Jones, Memphis

The Buzz: College basketball has become accustomed to David Jones getting buckets. In only his third full season, he has already passed the 1,000-point threshold for his career. This year, at Memphis, the 6-foot-6 small forward is averaging 20.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while adding on 2.4 steals per contest. Memphis is currently 7-2, and Jones has gone for 20 or more points in four of their last five games (Texas A&M, VCU, Ole Miss, Villanova, and Arkansas). Memphis will next play No. 13 ranked Clemson on Dec. 16.

8. F Harrison Ingram, UNC

The Buzz: What a difference a change in role can make for a player. Harrison Ingram has been asked to be a featured player for Stanford over the past two seasons. This year, he transferred to UNC, in a role where he is a connecting piece alongside RJ Davis and Armando Bacot. In that supporting role, Ingram has shined. He is averaging 15.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while the 6-foot-7 and 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 put up 20 points, four rebounds, and five assists, In the win against Tennessee, he had 20 points and six rebounds while shooting 4-8 from three. UNC’s next two games are on Dec. 16 against No. 14 ranked Kentucky and Dec. 20 against No. 11 ranked Oklahoma.

9. G RayJ Dennis, Baylor

The Buzz: RayJ Dennis’ play at point for Baylor has been a major reason why the Bears sit a 9-0 and No. 6 is the current A.P. Poll. Over their last four games, Dennis has averaged 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 next on Dec. 16.

10. G Joe Girard, Clemson

The Buzz: Clemson came into the season with expectations. They returned a strong core from last year’s team that includes early ACC Player of the Year candidate PJ Hall. However, Syracuse transfer Joe Girard has played a major 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 is also shooting 51.7 percent from three on 7.3 attempts during that stretch. Clemson will next play a 7-2 Memphis team on Dec. 16.