The Top Ten Transfers in the Big 12 for 2023-24
It is Big 12 week here at On3, as 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. Every team in the Big 12, all 14, brought in players from the portal this offseason.
In fact, each team in the Big 12 brought in more than one transfer. Fifty-five total for the conference. West Virginia led the way with seven transfer additions this off-season. Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and TCU each followed suit with five portal adds. 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 both parties are on the same page when the commitment is made.
Here, I take a look at the transfers in the Big 12 Conference 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.
The talent of the transfers in this league was deep. Cutting a list to only ten was difficult. Players like BYU’s Aly Khalifa, Kansas State’s Arthur Kaluma, West Virginia’s Kerr Kriisa, and others (listed below) were on the outside looking in of this list but are sure to have some sort of impact on the league.
Let’s take a look at the ten impact freshmen in the Big 12 for the upcoming season.
Big 12 Basketball Preseason Power Rankings
1. Sr. C Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
From: Michigan
Height/Weight: 7-2/260
2022-23 Stats: 34 Starts, 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, 56.0% FG, 42.1% 3P
The Buzz: Hunter Dickinson has been one of the most dominating forces in college basketball over the last three seasons. He has 1,617 career points and 787 career rebounds to his name. He has also been the Big Ten Rookie of the Year, a second-team Consensus All-American, and three times named second-team All-Big Ten. Kansas started 6-foot-7 KJ Adams at center last season. Dickinson should pug and play from day one in the middle for the Jayhawks, who have national championship aspirations his season. Kansas Head Coach Bill Self has a track record with five men, and this one is talented.
2. GR. G Max Abmas, Texas
From: Oral Roberts
Height/Weight: 6-0/175
2022-23 Stats: 34 Starts, 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 37.3% 3P
The Buzz: Max Abmas is the leading active career-scoring leader in college basketball. His 2,562 career point total has him among the top 50 all-time in NCAA Division 1 basketball, heading into the season. Rodney Terry’s run last season created a lot of expectations for this year’s Longhorns team. Abmas’ arrival is a central figure in those expectations. Abmas is the reigning Summit League Player of the Year, his second time winning the award. He led the NCAA Division 1 in scoring average in 2021.
3. Sr. G LJ Cryer, Houston
From: Baylor
Height/Weight: 6-1/200
2022-23 Stats: 31 Starts, 1.0 points, 2.1 assists, 2.6 3P makes, 41.5% 3P
The Buzz: Houston lost Marcus Sasser to the NBA Draft and Tramon Mark to the transfer portal. The Cougars added LJ Cryer in the off-season to help soften the production blow. Cryer is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the country. He led the Big 12 in three-point percentage last season, finishing No. 16 overall in NCAA Division 1. Cryer is a good defender and passer on the ball as well. He will slide into a featured scoring role for a Houston team coming into the Big 12 with Final Four-type expectations.
4. GR. PG RayJ Dennis, Baylor
From: Boise State/Toledo
Height/Weight: 6-2/180
2022-23 Stats: 35 Starts, 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 48.4% FG, 36.6% 3P
The Buzz: Baylor lost its entire starting backcourt last season. There is optimism in Waco, however, with the addition of RayJ Dennis. After earning MAC Player of the Year honors last season, he submitted his name for the NBA Draft. He withdrew toward the end of the process and enrolled at Baylor. Baylor has been one of the country’s most consistent teams over the past decade, and the Bears have similar expectations this season. Dennis will be handed the ball from day one with the chance to have a big impact on the Big 12.
5. GR. PG Tylor Perry, Kansas State
From: North Texas
Height/Weight: 5-11/180
2022-23 Stats: 36 Starts, 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 41.3% 3P
The Buzz: Tylor Perry is the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year after leading the conference in three-point percentage and finishing fourth in points. It was an interesting team aspect because of the slower pace North Texas played; Perry accounted for over 30 percent of his team’s points via scoring or assisting. Kansas State is coming off a run to the Elite Eight, where point guard Markquis Nowell continued to get better as the season went on. Perry will be Nowell’s replacement, with a lot of the freedom and sets that were run for Nowell. Perry is one of the premier shooters in the country, finishing top-20 nationally in three-point percentage last season.
6. GR. C Jesse Edwards, West Virginia
From: Syracuse
Height/Weight:6-11/240
2022-23 Stats: 32 Starts, 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.7 blocks, 59.2% FG
The Buzz: Jesse Edwards was one of the best big men in the ACC last season, finishing with third-team All-League honors and first-team All-Defense. He finished second in the conference in rebounds (10.3) and led the way in blocked shots. His 2.7 blocks per game was sixth nationally. Edwards enters a league that has a lot of talented bigs. His resume is as good as any of them, especially on the defensive end. He should be inserted immediately in the starting lineup, with some expectations placed on his success. A lot of eyes will be on the West Virginia program this season.
7. GR. G Jameer Nelson Jr., TCU
From: George Washington/Delaware
Height/Weight: 6-2/205
2022-23 Stats: 29 Starts, 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.4 steals, 44.5% FG
The Buzz: Jameer Nelson Jr is the son of long-time NBA point guard Jameer Nelson. Last season, he earned first-team All-CAA honors as well as first-team All-Defense. His 20.6 points finished 17th overall, and his 2.4 steals finished 11th overall in NCAA Division 1 basketball. Nelson should replace second-team All-Big 12 guard Mike Miles in the TCU lineup. Nelson played with a lot of confidence on offense last season and should enter the Big 12 as one of the better point-of-attack defenders.
8. RS-Jr. C John Hugley, Oklahoma
From: Pittsburgh
Height/Weight: 6-10/275
2022-23 Stats: 6 Games/Starts, 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 47.8% FG
The Buzz: There is an unknown factor with John Hugley due to injuries and suspensions while at Pittsburgh. But he did show that when he is healthy and on the court, he is a major factor. Hugley carries a strong, thick frame on the block. He is good over his left shoulder and has counters to score. He rebounds his area well and is a good passer away from the double teams. Oklahoma was active this off-season, adding seven new players to the roster. Porter Moser is expecting an improved team and a big piece of that is Hugley. Can he stay on the floor?
9. Jr. G Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State
From: UNLV
Height/Weight: 6-4/180
2022-23 Stats: 29 Starts, 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals, 38.4% 3P
The Buzz: Keshon Gilbert has experience with TJ Otzelberger as the head coach recruited the guard to UNLV. That off-season, he took the head job at Iowa State. Now, Otzelberger is in his third year with the Cyclones, and he again recruited Gilbert to play for him. Gilbert’s impact starts on the defensive end, where he is a ballhawk guarding the ball. He is also a paint-touch guard, able to put two feet in the lane and then make a read. Gilbert has excellent physical tools, with good size and great length. He also shot 38.4 percent from three last season and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. Do not be surprised to see Gilbert pop up on NBA radars with a productive season this year.
10. Jr. F Simas Lukosius, Cincinnati
From: Butler
Height/Weight: 6-8/225
2022-23 Stats: 32 Starts, 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 37.8% 3P
The Buzz: Simas Lukosius was an under-the-radar add during the off-season and should have a featured role in what Cincinnati Head Coach Wes Miller is doing this season as they transition into the Big 12. Lukosius is a very skilled player. He has soft touch and range on his jump shot but is also an excellent passer. Do not be surprised if the Bearcats run offense through Lukosius in the half-court and often try to get the ball in his hands. It is never easy to change leagues, especially jumping from non-power five into the power five. Lukosius is used to the grind coming from the Big East, and any success that Cincinnati has this season looks like it will be centered around what he can bring to the floor.
Other Big 12 Transfers to Watch
PG Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia), G RaeQuan Battle (West Virginia), C Aly Khalifa (BYU), G Damian Dunn (Houston), G Nick Timberlake (Kansas), G Javon Small (Oklahoma State), G Javian McCollum (Oklahoma), C Kadin Shedrick (Texas), C Ernest Udeh (TCU), F Devan Cambridge (Texas Tech), F Darrion Williams (Texas Tech), C Warren Washington (Texas Tech), G Shamarri Allen (UCF), F Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State), G Curtis Jones (Iowa State), C Jamille Reynolds (Cincinnati), C Aziz Bandaogo (Cincinnati)