The top five transfers in the Big 12

The transfer portal has become such a hot-button topic, especially over the last 12 months. Here we are with the college basketball season starting in a couple of weeks. Teams can be transformed in one offseason by adding talented players with college experience who are looking for a fresh start.

The Big Ten alone had at least 35 players transfer into its ten teams within the conference this offseason. Some players were added to be focal points, and some were added as pieces of a bigger picture. Interestingly enough, the Big 12 had multiple players transfer within the conference. Guys like Kevin McCuller (Texas Tech to Kansas) and Tyrese Hunter (Iowa State to Texas) will play significant roles for their new programs. Even a player like a Jalen Bridges (West Virginia to Baylor) may be the difference between a first-round exit and a second weekend.

Read the top five transfers in the Big East

In 2020, Jeff Goodman of Stadium Sports wrote an article with research suggesting that players who transferred up in level (D-II to D-I, mid-major to high-major, etc.) would, on average, have their statistics cut in half. It should be noted this article was written while the transfer portal was on the rise but prior to the one-time transfer rule when the portal exploded. However, that is interesting research and an article I suggest reading.

Read the top five transfers in the Big Ten

In this series, I wanted to go through each conference and look at the transfers. I plan to list the top five transfers from each conference in alphabetical order and then others to watch. The purpose of this is to spark conversation.

Read the top five transfers in the ACC

Next up is the Big 12, and I can’t wait to hear your comments.

Top five transfers

Fardaws Aimaq (Utah Valley) Texas Tech

Height/Weight: 6-11
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 43.5% 3P

Fardaws Aimaq was one of the most productive players in D-I last season. While the talent level in the Big 12 is pretty significantly greater than the MAC, but what Aimaq did was make threes and rebound. As you move up levels, while maybe not to the same degree, both of those skills are traits that tend to translate. Aimaq is expected to make a return early to mid-January from a foot injury.

Tyrese Hunter (Iowa State) Texas

Height/Weight: 6-0
Class: Sophomore
2021-22 stats: 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals

Tyrese Hunter was one of the revelations last college season. His transfer to Texas is expected to bring stability at the point of attack for the Longhorns. Texas has top-ten-type hopes, and this weekend’s 30-point scrimmage win against Arkansas may point toward that type of upside. With the early returns of jump-shot development, Hunter may end up one of the top point guards in college basketball this season.

Keyontae Johnson (Florida) Kansas State

Height/Weight: 6-4
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: DNP

Kansas State landing Keyontae Johnson this offseason made national headlines. Johnson was medically cleared this off-season after missing most of the 2020-21 season and all of the 2021-22 season. Prior to his collapse at Florida four games into his junior season, Johnson was projected by many as a first-round draft pick. Will the former four-star be on any type of pitch count this season? Time will tell, but Johnson has the talent to be the guy in Jerome Tang’s first year.

Kevin McCullar (Texas Tech) Kansas

Height/Weight: 6-6
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 10.1 points. 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals

Versatility, especially on the defensive end, is the thing with Kevin McCullar. He can guard against the perimeter and comfortably switch down to the block with some fours. McCullar is a veteran presence. He is not the offensive threat that Ochai Abaji or Christian Braun was, but he is someone who can handle and pass and developed his shooting splits from year two to year three. On a team that will be looking for players to step into the roles of four players who averaged 21 or more minutes, McCullar will be a central figure in the success Kansas has.

Grant Sherfield (Nevada) Oklahoma

Height/Weight: 6-2
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists

Grant Sherfield is a two-time Mountain West selection and has scored 1,260 points and won 53 games in his three collegiate seasons. Sherfield is a stats monster; he has consistently accumulated numbers during his career. This season, Oklahoma looks to replace its entire starting backcourt from last season. Porter Moser is looking to build on his 19-win first season; if he does, it looks to be behind the play of Sherfield.

Next five

Jalen Bridges (West Virginia) Baylor

Height/Weight: 6-7
Class: Junior
2021-22 stats: 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steal

Tre Mitchell (Texas) West Virginia

Height/Weight: 6-9
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 47.8% FG

Osun Osunniyi (St. Bonaventure) Iowa State

Height/Weight: 6-10
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 61.3% FG

Joe Toussaint (Iowa) West Virginia

Height/Weight: 6-0
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 4.3 points, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals

John Michael Wright (High Point) Oklahoma State

Height/Weight: 6-0
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals

Others to know

Joe Bamisile (George Washington) Oklahoma

De’Vion Harmon (Oregon) Texas Tech

Jaren Holmes (St. Bonaventure) Iowa State

David N’Guesson (Virginia Tech) Kansas State

Sir’Jabari Rice (New Mexico) Texas

Desi Sills (Arkansas) Kansas State

Erik Stevenson (South Carolina) West Virginia

Jaylon Tyson (Texas) Texas Tech

Kerwin Walton (North Carolina) Texas Tech

Jeremiah Williams (Temple) Iowa State