Breaking down the best basketball transfers in, out all-time for each Big 12 school

There have been multiple transfer players to make a significant impact in Big 12 basketball over the past few years. Given how transfer portal activity has only increased over the past few seasons, there are sure to be many more in the future.

Now more than a month into the offseason, there is plenty of time to think about the history of transfers and how they shaped the conference. That is exactly what ESPN did Thursday, when it released its list of the best basketball transfers in and out of every Big 12 school in the modern era. There are some big wins as well as painful losses, and you can check out a summary of the results below.

Best Big 12 basketball transfers in and out of each school

Baylor Bears

Best transfer in: Davion Mitchell (2019-21); Best transfer out: Allerik Freeman (2014-17)

Mitchell played one season for Bruce Pearl at Auburn before opting to transfer to the Bears in 2018-19. He sat out his first season before becoming a start over the next two years and helping Baylor win the national title in 2021. The point guard was also named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year that season, averaging 14 points, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per contest.

Freeman spent three years in Waco but played his final season at NC State in 2017-18. In his lone season with the Wolfpack, he finished as the team’s leading scorer with 16.1 points per game.

Iowa State Cyclones

Best transfer in: DeAndre Kane (2013-14); Best transfer out: Wes Johnson (2006-08)

The Cyclones have made ample use of transfers over the years, including this past season with Izaiah Brockington. Kane tops that list though, spending one season in Ames after beginning his college journey at Marshall. He delivered the best performance of his career, finishing with 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists to help lead the Cyclones to the Sweet Sixteen.

Letting Johnson go likely isn’t something ISU fans will forget either. The talented wing went on to lead the Syracuse Orange in scoring (16.5 points) during the 2009-10 season before starting a career in the NBA.

Kansas Jayhawks

Best transfer in: Dedric Lawson (2018-19); Best transfer out: JR Giddens (2003-05)

A Memphis transfer, Lawson made an immediate impact during his one season at Kansas, averaging a double-double with 19.4 points and 10.3 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Jayhawks suffered a second round exit in the NCAA Tournament that year, shortening his spectacular season.

Although Giddens was a regular starter in his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kansas, he wanted a larger role. This prompted him to transfer to New Mexico, where he averaged a career 16.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but never made the NCAA Tournament.

Kansas State Wildcats

Best transfer in: Denis Clemente (2008-10); Best transfer out: Marcus Foster (2013-15)

After little success during his first two seasons in Miami, Clemente transferred to Kansas State. He once again missed the NCAA Tournament during his junior year, but helped lead the Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance as a senior in 2009-10. He was also the second leading scorer on the team that season, with an average of 16.6 points per game.

Foster proved himself as a pure scorer during his freshman and sophomore seasons in Manhattan. He did the same at Creighton from 2016-18, averaging 19 points per game and being named first team All-Big East both seasons. His final college game actually came against Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament, as the Wildcats held him to just five points in a Creighton loss.

Oklahoma Sooners

Best transfer in: Romero Osby (2011-13); Best transfer out: Brady Manek (2017-21)

A transfer from Mississippi State, Osby came to Norman during a transition period for the program. The Sooners had recently fired Jeff Capel, and were entering the Lon Kruger era. By his senior season in 2012-13, Osby was averaging 16 points and seven rebounds. He helped lead the Sooners to their first NCAA Tournament appearance under Kruger, and was a major part in turning the tide for future years.

The departure of Manek hurt more than most for OU fans, as the forward was a native of the Sooner State. He played with Trae Young his freshman season, and remained a regular part of the lineup the ensuing three years. When Kruger retired this past season, Manek opted to use his extra year of eligibility to play for North Carolina. He had his best year yet, averaging 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds to help lead the Tar Heels to an appearance in the national championship.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Best transfer in: John Lucas III (2003-05); Best transfer out: Tyree Griffin (2014-16)

Lucas came to Stillwater by way of another Big 12 school — Baylor — where he spent his first two seasons. He would go on to be a part of one of the best seasons in school history in 2003-04, leading the Cowboys all the way to the Final Four. Amidst a roster that featured five future NBA players — including himself — Lucas was named Big 12 Player of the Year.

Griffin found himself behind Jawun Evans his first two seasons with Oklahoma State, prompting him to transfer to Southern Miss. There he started every game, while also leading the Eagles with 13.8 points in 2019.

Texas Longhorns

Best transfer in: Timmy Allen (2021-22); Best transfer out: Shelden McClellan (2011-13)

The Longhorns’ best transfer also happens to be one of their most recent. Allen came to Austin by way of Utah this past season after earning first team Pac-12 honors with the Utes. He went on to lead a balanced Texas attack with 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and will return for another year next season.

McClellan was a solid player early in his career with the Longhorns, but didn’t take his game to the next level until joining the Miami Hurricanes. He helped lead them to the Sweet Sixteen during his senior season, averaging 16.3 points per game.

TCU Horned Frogs

Best transfer in: Kevin Langford (2006-09); Best transfer out: Kevin Samuel (2018-21)

It took Langford one season in California to realize he belonged back home in his native city of Fort Worth. After transferring to the Horned Frogs, he went on to finish as the team’s leading scorer over the next three seasons, with a career average of 13.5 points per game.

Samuel was an extremely valuable defensive player, averaging 2.2 blocks per game for TCU in three seasons. He transferred to Florida Gulf Coast this past year, where he continued to impress with 11.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Best transfer in: Bryson Williams (2021-22); Best transfer out: Dusty Hannahs (2012-14)

The Red Raiders were the third team for Williams throughout his college career after previous stints with Fresno State and UTEP. He did not disappoint in his lone season in Lubbock, earning unanimous first team All-Big 12 honors after averaging 14.1 points per game. The Red Raiders advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, where they fell to Duke.

A Little Rock native, Hannahs spent two years with Texas Tech before transferring home to play for Arkansas. He was already a strong shooter, but really honed his abilities with the Razorbacks, shooting 41% from beyond the arc and averaging 15.4 points per game over his final two college seasons.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Best transfer in: Mike Gansey (2004-06); Best transfer out: Oscar Tshiebwe (2019-21)

Gansey spent two years in Morgantown after beginning his college journey with St. Bonaventure. He helped lead WVU to the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen, averaging 16.8 points on 42.9% 3-point shooting during his senior season.

Mountaineers fans likely still can’t believe Tshiebwe slipped through the cracks after the season he had this past year at Kentucky. Not only did the big man lead the country in rebounding with 15.2 boards per game, but he also scored 17.4 points and earned both the Naismith and Wooden awards for player of the year. He has already announced his return for next season, where he looks to lead the Wildcats on another deep NCAA Tournament run.