By Shea Irish

#15- Nahiem Alleyne (Virginia Tech —> UConn)

UConn loses all three players that made 40 or more 3-PT for them last season, so bringing in the smooth shooting lefty Nahiem Alleyne to the roster will be a crucial addition for their 2022-23 outlook. The 6’4” Junior connected on 153 three-pointers over a three year span for the Hokies. He shot at least 37% from deep in all three seasons, including a 40.8% rate in 2020-21. In the 2021 NCAA Tournament Alleyne scored 28 points against Florida, including a clutch 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to force OT. Paired up with rising star Jordan Hawkins, the two should create a deadly shooting duo in the Huskies backcourt next season.   

#14- Jake Stephens (VMI —> Chattanooga)

How many 6’11” players made more than 70 three-pointers at a near 50% clip last season? Jake Stephens might just be the only player on that list, finishing with 74 threes at a 49% rate. The VMI transfer also led the Keydets in scoring (19.6), rebounding (9.0), blocks (2.0), and finished 2nd on the team in assists last year (3.3). He proved he can fill the stat sheet on many occasions, such as his performance of 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a win over Gardner-Webb. He also had a 20-20 game in a win over The Citadel, and scored 39 points on 7-8 shooting from beyond the arc against Samford. The 1st Team All-SoCon big man will now follow his head coach Dan Earl, who accepted the job at Chattanooga. Stephens will have the opportunity to terrorize Southern Conference opponents at a new school, and will attempt to lead the Mocs back to the big dance in 2023.

#13- Marcus Hammond (Niagara —> Notre Dame)

The Fighting Irish were able to reel in a hidden gem in Marcus Hammond. The 6’3” Senior guard from Queens torched the nets last season for the Purple Eagles, finishing 2nd in the MAAC in scoring at 18.1 PPG. He opened the season with 25 and 22 point performances at Xavier and #17 Ohio State, respectively. The first team all-conference selection also went for 21 against Saint Peter’s in conference play, something that isn’t an easy task to do. Just ask Kentucky or Purdue how hard it was to score on the Peacocks defense. Hammond will help alleviate the loss of freshman star Blake Wesley, who is primed to be a 1st round NBA draft pick in June.

#12- Andre Curbelo (Illinois —> St. John’s)

The 2021 Big Ten 6th man of the Year is headed back home to play for the Red Storm. Curbelo should flourish in Mike Anderson’s up-tempo, get out and go style offense. An early season concussion really slowed Curbelo down in Champaign this past year, but if he can get back to his form from two years ago, the rest of the Big East will be in danger. He averaged 9.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, and shot 49.8% from the field in that 2020-21 season. Containing Curbelo and Posh Alexander in the open floor will be a nightmare for opposing teams. 

#11- Daryl Banks III (Saint Peter’s —> St. Bonaventure)

The Bonnies added an elite two-way player in Daryl Banks III that was a pivotal part of the Peacocks’ Cinderella Elite Eight run. He made 54 3-PT at a 36.7% rate, showcased by his best performance of 27 points on 5-8 3-PT in the shocking first round upset of 2 seed Kentucky. Banks III also shot 85.9% from the FT line last season and played the most minutes of any Peacock player. He will thrive in Mark Schmidt’s system that is predicated on toughness, resiliency, and defense; just like the culture that was instilled at Saint Peter’s under Shaheen Holloway. St. Bonaventure lost all three starting guards from last year’s team, so Banks III could be the star in Olean, NY next season. 

#10- Tanner Holden (Wright State —> Ohio State)

Less than a week after the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham declared for the NBA draft, the Buckeyes were able to replenish the roster with another elite bucket-getter from the state of Ohio. Tanner Holden, a 6’6” 1st Team All-Horizon League selection, averaged over 20.0 PPG for the Raiders and dropped 37 points in an NCAA Tournament First Four win over Bryant. He is an efficient three level scorer, shooting 53% from the field and 35% from deep in his three seasons with Wright State, while also adding 6.9 RPG for his career. He finished 2021-22 with 20+ points in 20 different games, and the Buckeyes surely hope that his scoring ability will translate into the deepest conference in the nation.

#9- Jahmir Young (Charlotte —> Maryland)

Maryland had a very uncharacteristic season for a team that is usually relevant in the grand scheme of college basketball, finishing under .500 for the first time since 1992-93. Mark Turgeon left the program during the season and things just never got on the right track, but the addition of transfer Jahmir Young could get new head coach Kevin Willard started in the right direction. The 19.6 PPG scorer was a 1st Team All-CUSA selection for the second consecutive season in Charlotte, and was one of the most consistent scorers in the entire country. He finished in double-figures in all 34 games, including 30 points at Florida Atlantic, 28 against Louisiana Tech, and 27 vs Wake Forest. He added 5.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, and shot 89.2% from the line for the 49ers. Young played his high school ball just 10 minutes from Maryland’s Xfinity Center, so maybe the hometown kid can rejuvenate this Big Ten program.

#8- Ben Vander Plas (Ohio —> Virginia)

After finishing last in the ACC in scoring, Virginia was in desperate need to find a playmaker on the offensive end of the floor. The Cavaliers found their guy in Ben Vander Plas, a 6’8” stretch 4 that should impact the Cavaliers tremendously. With the range to splash a ‘logo three’ and the playmaking ability to get to the rim off a deadly shot fake, he is a tough player to match up with. He also creates opportunities for others with great court vision and passing for a player his size. He finished his Bobcats career with over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, and 330 assists. Vander Plas already had connections with Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett, who played with his father Dean at Wisconsin-Green Bay in the early 1990’s, which probably impacted ‘BVP’s decision.

#7- Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech —> Illinois)

Illinois picked up a commitment from one of the most experienced two-way players in the portal last week in Terrence Shannon Jr. The former Julius Erving Award Finalist and 2021 Big 12 3rd-Team selection helped the Red Raiders advance to the Sweet 16 this past season. His overall production dipped slightly due to a nagging back injury in the early part of the year, but the 6’6” combo guard usually tends to shine when the lights are brightest. He was a 2022 Big 12 All-Tournament Team selection and has two 20+ point NCAA Tournament performances over the last couple seasons. He shot 37% from deep over his final two seasons in Lubbock and is an elite defender, so his game should translate nicely for an Illini team looking to reload and contend for another Big Ten Championship. He should be able to play his more natural off guard position with the commitment of PG Skyy Clark, an ESPN Top 25 recruit; so don’t be surprised to see Shannon have his best season yet in 2022-23.

#6- Nijel Pack (Kansas State —> Miami)

$400,000 and a brand new car is reportedly how valuable Pack was in the transfer market. That NIL deal caused much uproar in many media outlets, but his play on the court last season backed up his worth. Pack led Kansas State with 17.4 PPG and 95 3-pointers made (at an extremely efficient 43.6%) to earn 1st Team All-Conference honors in arguably the best conference in the country. He went off for 35 points and 8 treys against eventual national champion Kansas in a narrow January loss. He also pumped in 32 points vs Iowa State and 31 vs #10 Baylor. The Hurricanes will lose starting guards Kam McGusty and Charlie Moore, but if Isaiah Wong decides to return to school Miami could feature the most high-powered backcourt in the ACC. 

#5- Mark Sears (Ohio —> Alabama)

Sears took the MAC by storm in 2021-22, increasing his scoring production for the Bobcats from 8.5 PPG to 19.6 PPG in just one season to receive 1st team all-conference honors. He has a crafty ability to get to the rim and finish in a  wide variety of difficult angles, resembling a play style similar to that of Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. Sears can blow by you off the dribble and can shoot over 40% from distance, making opposing teams have to pick their poison in defending him. At just 6’1”, he also grabbed an impressive 6.0 RPG for Ohio. The Muscle Shoals, AL native will now transfer to put on a Crimson Tide uniform, helping Nate Oats and company replace 2nd Team All-SEC guard Jaden Shackelford.

#4- Norchad Omier (Arkansas State —> Miami)

The Hurricanes ranked dead last in the ACC in just about every rebounding category a year ago. Adding the Sun Belt POY will certainly help improve upon that weakness for next season. Omier grabbed 12.2 RPG, an average that was good for 4th in the nation in 2021-22. The 6’7” Nicaragua native pulled down an absolutely insane 26 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe and finished the year averaging 19.7 PPG and 14.1 RPG over his last 10 games for the Red Wolves. He recorded 15+ rebounds in 9 contests and shot 63.2% from the field for the year. Omier was the first Sun Belt player to win both the POY and Defensive POY awards in the same season since 2003-04.

#3- Kendric Davis (SMU —> Memphis)

Penny Hardaway’s Tigers were loaded with future NBA talent last season, but struggled at times due to a lack of true point guard play, which was the ultimate reason the team was in a hole for much of the season after starting 9-8 with losses to East Carolina and Tulane. They shouldn’t have that same problem in 2022-23, as they now have the American Athletic Conference POY on their roster in Kendric Davis. The star PG averaged 19.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, and made 77 3-pointers for the Mustangs last season. He gave Memphis fits by scoring 27 and 20 in two SMU wins over the Tigers in the regular season. Now they won’t have to worry about matching up with him, instead they hope he can help lead them to a more consistent 2022-23 campaign and position them for a higher NCAA Tournament seed in 2023.

#2- Fardaws Aimaq (Utah Valley —> Texas Tech)

The 6’11” WAC Defensive POY each of the last two seasons will fit perfectly into Mark Adams’ scheme. The Texas Tech head man filled his roster with veteran transfers in his first year on the job, and Aimaq will continue that trend for the Red Raiders this offseason as he is set to turn 24 in January. He has proven to be a rebounding machine after averaging 13.6 RPG in 2021-22 and leading the country in rebounding the year before(15.0 RPG). He absolutely dominated #12 BYU last December, posting 24 points and 22 rebounds in a Wolverines upset. Aimaq is a much needed pick up for Texas Tech, who loses their leading scorer and starting 5 man Bryson Williams. Look for the former WAC POY to transition into an immediate Big 12 POY candidate.

#1- Johni Broome (Morehead State —> Auburn)

Auburn is set to lose the nation’s top shot blocker in Walker Kessler, but the Tigers were able to find a replacement that possesses an elite ability to protect the rim himself. Johni Broome, the 2022 Ohio Valley Defensive POY, finished 3rd in the country at 3.9 BPG; so the Tigers will have a feared shot blocker wearing that navy blue and burnt orange uniform once again. Broome ended the year averaging a double-double at 16.8 PPG and 10.5 RPG. Overall, he has more upside on the offensive end than Kessler. He can hit jumpers from the mid-range level at a consistent rate and possesses nimble feet combined with an array of skillful post moves to score down low. He finished his Morehead State career with 32 points in the OVC Championship game against Murray State.