College basketball: Ten Power Six Transfers to Watch

Over 1,800 players entered the men’s college basketball transfer portal this off-season, the most in history. While not everyone found a home, there are a lot of players to go around the college basketball landscape. Earlier this week, I released the college basketball week one power rankings for Power Six transfers. This will be an ongoing exercise, throughout the season.

With that, not all transfers who are having an impact on college basketball at the Power Six level are able to make the top ten. So I wanted to discuss ten other players, listed in alphabetical order, who are having an impact.

Here are ten Power Six men’s college basketball transfers to watch.

Jimmy Bell Jr., Mississippi State

The Buzz: Jimmy Bell Jr. entered the season with the unenviable task of picking up Tolu Smith’s minutes while the All-League post player sits with injury. No problem for the West Virginia transfer, as Bell has averaged 11.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Mississippi State made the NCAA Tournament last season and had expectations this year. With Smith going down, that brought some questions. Behind the play of Smith, and others, Mississippi State now sits at 3-0 with an upcoming matchup with Washington State on Saturday.

DJ Davis, Butler

The Buzz: The fact DJ Davis is scoring the ball is no surprise. The shooting guard scored 948 career points at UC Irvine, averaging 15.0 per game last season. Davis has confidently stepped into an efficient scoring role so far at Butler. To this point, the 6-foot-1 guard is averaging 13.7 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field and 41.7 percent from three. Thad Matta’s Bulldogs now sit at 3-0 with games against Michigan State, Florida Atlantic, and Texas Tech upcoming.

Jordan Gainey, Tennesse

The Buzz: Coming out of high school, Jordan Gainey’s only Division 1 offer was from USC Upstate. The 6-foot-4 guard stayed with the Spartans for two seasons winning Big South Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Leauge honors. He transferred to Tennessee in the off-season, where his dad Justin Gainey is the Associate Head Coach. Gainey has been quite the spark plug for the No. 7 ranked Volunteers. Now 3-0, Gainey is the team’s second-leading scorer at 13.3 points. The secondary ball handler is also averaging 2.0 assists and shooting 44.4 percent from three while coming off the bench for 23.0 minutes per contest.

Micah Handlogten, Florida

The Buzz: Micah Handlogten was one of the surprise freshmen of last season. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, which were first and second, respectively, in Division 1 basketball among freshmen. He is currently one of six Florida players averaging double figures (10.7) while leading the way in rebounds (9.0) and blocks (1.3). Only a sophomore, Handlogten had a big 14 and 14 output against Virginia, in game two.

Keshad Johnson, Arizona

The Buzz: Keshad Johnson played four seasons at San Diego State where he started all 71 games over the last two seasons, including last year’s National Championship game. San Diego State played nine players 16.1 or more minutes per game last year, which included Johnson’s 22.2. Through Arizona’s first three games, he is getting 10.0 shots per game, up from the 5.5 he got last year. The 6-foot-7, fifth-year senior is leading the 3-0, No. 3 ranked Wildcats in scoring (15.0), rebounds (7.0), and blocks (1.7) so far.

Ben Krikke, Iowa

The Buzz: Ben Krikke came to Iowa after scoring 1,596 points over his four years at Valparaiso. The 6-foot-9 post player was named first-team All-MVC last season after averaging 19.4 points on 55.2 percent shooting from the field. Iowa is 2-1 so far this season, and Krikke is using his soft-touch jumper to lead the Hawkeyes with 18.3 points per contest. Iowa has lost draft picks each of the last two seasons, for them to continue with top-five league finishes, Krikke will need to continue being very good. Arkansas State, Oklahoma, North Florida, and Purdue are next in line.

Ishmael Leggett, Pittsburgh

The Buzz: Ishmael Leggett came to Pittsburgh this off-season after averaging 16.4 points at Rhode Island last season. The 6-foot-2 guard immediately hopped into the Panthers starting lineup and continued creating offense. His 15.3 points are currently third on the team and his 3.0 assists are second. Leggett is also pacing the way with 2.0 steals through the first three games. Next in line for Pittsburgh is home against Jacksonville and then back-to-back against Florida and Missouri.

BJ Mack, South Carolina

The Buzz: BJ Mack finished second in the SoCon in scoring last season with Wofford. His 16.6 points was a career-high. This off-season the fifth-year senior transferred to South Carolina, and he continues to pace his team in scoring (16.3). Predicted by most to finish last in the SEC, the Gamecocks have gotten off to a 3-0 start, including a win over Virginia Tech. Interestingly enough, Mack was committed to the Hokies while in high school before parting ways and going elsewhere. Mack had 19 points and six rebounds in that one. DePaul, Notre Dame, and George Washington are next up for Lamont Paris’ group.

Olivier Nkamhoua, Michigan 

The Buzz: Olivier Nkamhoua broke out last season with a 27-point outburst against Duke in the NCAA Tournament. He became a hot commodity in the off-season when he entered the transfer portal, ultimately choosing Michigan. After losing two NBA Draft picks and all-league center Hunter Dickinson, the Wolverines were picked bottom half of their league in the preseason. Michigan now sits at 3-0, and they are coming off a convincing 16-point win over St. John’s. Nkamhoua is averaging 17.0 points. 8.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 75.0 percent shooting through the first three. Long Beach State at home, a neutral with Memphis, and at Oregon are the next three for the Wolverines.

AJ Storr, Wisconsin

The Buzz: AJ Storr brings a dynamic that Wisconsin has not seen in a few years. A wing with athletic explosion who can knock down some shots. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 8.8 points and shot 40.4 percent from three as a freshman at St. John’s last year. He transferred to Wisconins this offseason and immediately became their go-to scorer. Wisconsin has some sorting out that needs to be done, they are 1-2 so far with both losses coming to Power 6 opponents, Providence and Tennessee. Storr however had 22 and 17 in those two games respectively. Chucky Hepburn is the only other Badger who is currently in double figures. Robert Morris, a neutral site game with Virginia, and Western Illinois are next before going on the road to Marquette.