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 can 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.

G RaeQuan Battle, West Virginia

The Buzz: Because he is a non-graduate two-time transfer, it took a few games for RaeQuan Battle to become eligible, but he has been able to make his presence felt in the six games since. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has scored over twenty points in four of his six games, averaging 20.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. Battle transferred from Montana State in the off-season.

G Walter Clayton, Florida

The Buzz: There was a lot of intrigue with the Florida backcourt heading into the season. Much of that had to do with the addition of Walter Clayton from Iona. The 6-foot-2 guard is the reigning MAAC Player of the Year and is averaging 18.2 points in 31.9 minutes through the early part of SEC play. The Gators are currently 11-6 on the season.

F Matthew Cleveland, Miami

The Buzz: Matthew Cleveland entered college as a five-star recruit and a McDonald’s All-American. While he has not lived up to that lofty status yet, sometimes a change of scenery is all that is necessary. The 6-foot-7 Florida State transfer is second on the Hurricanes in points (16.4) and rebounds (5.6). While the season has been up and down to this point, Cleveland’s production has remained steady.

G DJ Horne, NC State

The Buzz: DJ Horne came to NC State having scored 1,446 career points. The guard, originally from up the road in Cary, North Carolina, is leading the Wolfpack in scoring this season, putting up 15.1 per game. He has already scored over 20 points five times this season, scoring in double-figures in 12 of NC State’s 17 games. Horne is shooting 42.3 percent from three.

F Ben Krikke, Iowa

The Buzz: While Ben Krikke’s game might not have the most sizzle, he continues to produce stats and make some plays. Krikke is a 6-foot-9 transfer from Valparaiso where he scored 1,596 points in his four years. Krikke has kept up with those numbers averaging 16.9 points on 59.5 percent shooting through his first 17 games. 

G Tramon Mark, Arkansas

The Buzz: Arkansas has been inconsistent, to say the least, this season. Starting the year 10-7 was not expected, but Houston transfer Tramon Mark has been a shining light in the early going. The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 17.8 points on 53.0 percent shooting and 38.8 percent from three. Taking on the role of go-to scorer, that number has bumped to 20.2 points through the first four SEC games.

G Jahvon Quinerly, Memphis

The Buzz: Jahvon Quinerly has been in the moment before, and he has shown no fear of doing it again, and again. The 6-foot-1 guard from viral Jelly Fam fame is on his third school and fifth season of college. He has played in 140 college games, starting 57 of them. That includes all 17 games this season where he is averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He had back-to-back game-winners earlier in the season and has Memphis at 15-2 and in the top ten in the A.P. Poll. 

F AJ Storr, Wisconsin

The Buzz: AJ Storr has seemingly found his groove with Wisconsin. After shooing 40.0 percent from the field in November, the 6-foot-5 wing averaged 16.7 points through December and January. Wisconsin has won 12 of their last 14, and AJ Storr is firmly entrenched as their leading scorer. 

F Jaylon Tyson, Cal

The Buzz: Maybe it is because of Cal’s 6-11 record, but not many are talking about the season Jaylon Tyson is having. The 6-foot-7 Texas Tech transfer is averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals through his first 16 games.  Tyson has been in double figures every game and has gone for twenty, or more, in 12 games. He is shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three on the season.

F Jamir Watkins, Florida State

The Buzz: A quick look toward the top of the ACC standings and we see Florida State sitting at 4-1. A quick look at the Florida State team stats, and we see Jamir Watkins leading the way at 13.0 points per contest. Watkins, a 6-foot-7 wing is a transfer from VCU. Along with his point totals, he is also averaging 5.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.