The Top Ten Most Impactful Transfers in the SEC for 2023-24

It is SEC week here at On3, and we keep the content rolling with the 2023-24 basketball season previews. Over 1,800 players entered the men’s college basketball transfer portal this off-season. The SEC had all 14 of their teams bring in players from the portal.

Florida, Georgia, and LSU led the way with five players each out of the transfer portal. LSU brought in a sixth, but Jalen Cook is still awaiting eligibility from the NCAA. Ole Miss has two players, Brandon Muarray and Moussa Cisse, in the same boat as Cook. In all SEC teams added 49 transfers this offseason. There are a lot of variables that take place when transitioning schools, systems, and leagues. But, many times, a transfer is brought in for a specific need, and everyone is on the same page when the commitment is made.

Here, I take a look at the transfers in the SEC this season. This list is not of the best player or the highest upside player; it is based on the potential impact of the player. A big factor I looked at is how big of an impact the player will have on his program’s season. Could the player be an x-factor in a program finishing in the bottom third or top third? Will this player playing up to expectations make the difference in a program finishing with a winning record? A player’s impact on the league, on their team, their talent, and more were taken into account.

Let’s take a look at the ten impact freshmen in the SEC for the upcoming season.

SEC Basketball Preseason Power Rankings
Top Ten Impact Freshmen in the SEC

1. Sr. Grant Nelson, Alabama

From: North Dakota State
Height/Weight: 6-11/230
2022-23 Stats: 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks

The Buzz: Alabama made a run to last season’s SEC regular season and tournament championships. The Crimson Tide returned only one starter from that team and lost all three frontcourt starters. Grant Nelson comes to Tuscaloosa with a lot of expectations after going viral last season and putting up big numbers in the Summit. Nelson tested the NBA Draft waters and decided it best to come back to college. Sports Reference says that Alabama averaged 81.8 points per game last season, seventh in Division 1. Nelson should have ample opportunity to produce numbers.

2. GR Tre Mitchell, Kentucky

From: West Virginia (Texas, UMass)
Height/Weight: 6-9/231
2022-23 Stats: 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 36.4% 3P

The Buzz: Kentucky added eight new players in the off-season, Tre Mitchell being the lone transfer and the final one of the group. It turns out that the addition of Mitchell was big. Because of injuries Kentucky will start the season with two 7-footers, Ugonna Onyenso and Aaron Bradshaw, unavailable to play. The Wildcats are also waiting on an NCAA eligibility ruling with 7-foot-2 freshman Zvonimir Ivisic. As Kentucky goes through warmups Mitchell could be the only player on the bench listed at 6-foot-9 or above. He is a skilled player, able to step out and comfortably knock down threes with his feet set (107 career made threes) or finish over his left shoulder on the block. He is a good area rebounder and a sneaky processor with the ball in the half-court. Mitchell brings a veteran presence at a position of need for Kentucky.

3. GR Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

From: Northern Colorado
Height/Weight: 6-6/213
2022-23 Stats: 20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 38.1% 3P

The Buzz: Tennessee had no problems getting stops last season. Where they struggled was consistently finding offense. Sports Reference says Tennessee averaged 70.8 points per game, which was 196th in Division 1. In the seven games they played after point guard Zakai Zeigler was injured, that number dipped to 66.3 points per game, including a 59.3 mark in three NCAA Tournament games. Enter Dalton Knecht, the leading scorer in the Big Sky conference last season. Knecht is capable of creating scoring opportunities for himself or playing off others to knock down open looks. Tennessee has lofty expectations this season as they return a lot of their firepower. Getting Zeigler back healthy will be huge for the Volunteers, but so will the scoring capabilities of Knecht.

4. GR El Ellis, Arkansas

From: Louisville
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
2022-23 Stats: 17.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals

The Buzz: Arkansas lost three players to the NBA Draft and a fourth who signed as an unsigned free agent. Only two players return who started a game last season. El Ellis came to Arkansas after starting 41 games at Louisville over the past two seasons. Ellis is an aggressive lead guard, able to touch the paint and put pressure on the defense. Ellis’ 17.7 points were third in the ACC last season and his 4.4 assists were eighth. Arkansas starts the season ranked No. 14 in the A.P. Poll. There will be immediate opportunity in the backcourt for Arkansas and Ellis comes in with experience and production.

5. Jr. Denver Jones, Auburn

From: Florida International
Height/Weight: 6-4/205
2022-23 Stats: 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 37.1% 3P

The Buzz: Denver Jones earned first-team All-Conference USA honors last season after finishing second in the conference in scoring. He comes to Auburn where they lost their starting one, two, and three positions off last year’s 21-win team. Jones knocked down 108 threes in his two seasons at FIU while averaging 16.2 points and 2.2 assists. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has shooting touch with range and proven decision making ability. While the backcourt could consist of three newcomers, Jones would be the elder statesman. Auburn returns all-leage candidate Johni Broome on the interior, there should be opportunity available for Jones to space the floor and create some offense.

6. Jr. Jace Carter, Texas A&M

From: Illinois-Chicago
Height/Weight: 6-6/220
2022-23 Stats: 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals, 45.6% FG

The Buzz: Texas A&M finished 25-10 last season and the Aggies return four of five starters. Jace Carter comes to College Station after averaging 16.6 points, and knocking down 1.8 threes last season at Illinois-Chicago. Carter earned second-team All-MVC honors last year after leading the conference in steals and finishing top ten in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. The defensive aspect of his game will get him on the court for Buzz Williams, but his scoring presence could be the most important piece he brings, taking pressure off the returning backcourt Wade Taylor and Tyrese Radford.

7. Jr. Walter Clayton, Florida

From: Iona
Height/Weight: 6-2/195
2022-23 Stats: 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 43.1% 3P

The Buzz: Florida boasts one of the top backcourts in the SEC this season, and at the head of the snake you have Walter Clayton. Clayton earned MAAC Player of the Year honors last season after leading Iona to a 27-8 record and an NCAA Tournament birth. Instead of following Rick Pitino to St. John’s, Clayton, who is originally from Lake Wales, Florida, decided to come back home. Clayton is a former football recruit. He is a tough-minded guard who is able to create offense off the bounce or finish plays with his scoring ability. Year two of Florida’s Todd Golden era is on deck, and Clayton is a central piece to a re-tooled roster that is building some buzz around Gainsville.

8. GR Aaron Estrada, Alabama

From: Hofstra (Oregon, St. Peter’s)
Height/Weight: 6-3/190
2022-23 Stats: 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 36.8% 3P

The Buzz: Aaron Estrada was a highly sought after player in the transfer portal after earning back-to-back CAA Player of the Year honors. He comes to an Alabama roster where Mark Sears is the only returning starter. He is able to create offensive opportunities off a live dribble, while also playing off others. Estrada also has natural anticipation on the defensive end, both in positioning and in the passing lanes. Alabama starts the year No. 24 in the A.P. Poll, a key figure in their lineup looks to be Estrada.

9. GR John Tonje, Missouri

From: Colorado State
Height/Weight: 6-6/215
2022-23 Stats: 14.6 points. 4.7 rebounds, 38.9% 3P

The Buzz: Kobe Brown and D’Moi Hodge started each game they played last season for Missouri. They are both now on NBA contracts. John Tonje started every game last season at Colorado State, and looks to vill the void left by the two pros. Much like Brown did, Tonje has a guard’s skill set in a forward’s body. He is a passing threat from multiple levels of the court. He can also create scoring opportunities from different areas of the floor, depending on how you are running your offense. Tonje brings positional versatility into a system that likes to attack a defense from multiple positions. Missouri added nine new players to the roster, six via college transfer. This team will have depth, but Tonje will have the opportunity to stay on the floor.

10. GR Andrew Taylor, Mississippi State

From: Marshall
Height/Weight:
2022-23 Stats: 20.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.1 steals, 36.4% 3P

The Buzz: Mississippi State retuns all five starters off a team that finished 21-13 last season. The Bulldogs got a crushing blow last month when they found out all-league hopeful Tolu Smith would be out until -at least – mid-December. Sports Referece says that Mississippi State averaged 65.7 points per contest last year, 323rd in Division 1. Their 5.2 threes made per game ranked 346th. Even with Smith, Andrew Taylor was going to be a big addition. Now, with Smith sidelined, Taylor’s presence is almost necessary. Taylor led the Sun Belt in steals last season, while finishing second in points and threes made. The Bulldogs need offense, and Taylor brings offense. Even with depth in the backcourt, opportunity will be there.

Other Transfers to Watch

So. Micah Handogten (Florida), GR Tyrese Samuel (Florida), GR Evan Taylor (Vanderbilt), So. Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt), GR Connor Vanover (Missouri), GR Caleb Grill (Missouri), Jr. Denver Jones (Auburn), GR Jamarion Sharp (Ole Miss), GR Allen Flanigan (Ole Miss), Sr. Myles Stute (South Carolina), Sr. Ta’Lon Cooper (South Carolina), GR. BJ Mack (South Carolina), GR RJ Sunhara (Georgia), Sr. RJ Melendez (Georgia), Sr. Noah Thomasson (Georgia), Jr. Jordan Gainey (Tennessee), Jr. Carlos Stewart (LSU), GR Jordan Wright (LSU), GR Will Baker (LSU), Jr. Daimion Collins (LSU), Sr. Tramon Mark (Arkansas), Sr. Khalif Battle (Arkansas)