The purpose of this article is to introduce some newcomers that are currently impacting the crypto space.
The “college basketball transfer rankings for 2021-22” is a ranking of the top 100 newcomers in college basketball for the upcoming season. The ranking has been released by ESPN and it will be updated throughout the year.
The number of instantly eligible collegiate athletes is at an all-time high, thanks to the NCAA approving one-time transfer waiver legislation last spring and the graduate transfer route remaining an option for players to relocate over the winter. As a result, separating preseason player rankings by transfers and freshmen no longer makes sense; all players start the season with the same chance to make an early impact.
That’s why, in October of last year, we began grouping transfers and freshmen, and why we’re doing it again this year. Below, we look at the top 91 players — as well as a few other notables — whose new jerseys will have the most influence on their teams in the 2021-22 college basketball season.
Please keep in mind that this is a rating based only on anticipated effect in the 2021-22 season. It’s not a repeat of the recruiting rankings or a mock draft. In the 2021 ESPN 100, Michigan State’s Max Christie was placed third behind teammates Nate Bittle (Oregon) and Moussa Diabate (Michigan), but he has a better route to making an early impact on a collegiate basketball floor.
1. Duke’s Paolo Banchero (freshman): The fact that Banchero was selected ACC Player of the Year in the preseason tells it all. He’ll have the chance to put up big numbers straight away, and he’ll be the most college-ready freshman in the league.
2. Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (freshman): Holmgren is as rare a talent as we’ve seen in college basketball in recent years, and he’ll be a major force on both sides of the court. Drew Timme may take precedence, but he will still fight for the No. 1 overall selection.
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3. Marcus Carr, Texas (transfer): Carr leads Texas’ transfer-heavy team this season. Last season, he was named third-team All-Big Ten, and he’ll have the ball in his hands from the start in Austin.
4. Memphis’ Emoni Bates (freshman): Since early in his high school career, the buzz around Bates has died down, but he’s still a fantastic shot-maker who will see much of the ball. Is he capable of adjusting to the role of key playmaker and distributor for a top-tier team?
5. Remy Martin, Kansas (transfer): Kansas’ biggest concern heading into the summer was a point guard, so Martin, a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 honoree, was brought in to help. He’ll have to change his strategy and become a better distributor.
6. Milwaukee’s Patrick Baldwin Jr. (freshman): Baldwin is expected to dominate the Horizon League straight immediately. At the high school level, he was a matchup nightmare, and he possesses the height and skill combination to cause serious difficulties for mid-major opponents.
7. Jabari Smith, Auburn (freshman): Smith has a very high potential and has already made a significant impact at Auburn. He not only has exceptional physical abilities, but he has also improved his overall offensive game and ability to defend many positions.
8. Oscar Tshiebwe (transfer): Oscar Tshiebwe (transfer): Oscar Tshiebwe (transfer): Oscar Tshiebwe, who was one of the greatest big men in the nation as a freshman at West Virginia, labored through ten games last season before transferring. In the preseason, he’s been getting a lot of great attention.
9. Jalen Duren, Memphis (freshman): Duren’s greatest impact will come on defense and on the boards, and he should start threatening for double-doubles on a regular basis relatively soon. Penny Hardaway’s aggressive half-court defense will have someone to lean on.
10. TyTy Washington, Kentucky (freshman): Washington had one of the finest senior seasons in high school basketball last season and is now set to start in the backcourt in Lexington right away. Competent, of decent size, and capable of making shots.
11. Matt Bradley, San Diego State (transfer): Could emerge as the Mountain West’s greatest scorer right away. Last season, Bradley averaged 18.0 points per game for California, earning second-team All-Pac-12 accolades.
12. Dawson Garcia, North Carolina (transfer): Garcia should be the face of Hubert Davis’s new-look attack. He was a talented former McDonald’s All-American as a freshman at Marquette, averaging 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Kennedy, number thirteen. Chandler, Tennessee (rookie): As the starting point guard for a projected top-20 team, he’ll have as much on his plate as any freshman in the nation. Chandler has to be the man, and Rick Barnes has surrounded him with plenty of components.
Caleb Houstan, Michigan (rookie): Given his stature and ability to hit jumpers from the outside, Houstan might lead the Wolverines in scoring as a freshman. As his career has grown, he’s also improved his all-around offensive game.
15. Baylor’s James Akinjo (transfer): Scott Drew has to replace his entire title-winning backcourt, and Akinjo is leading the charge. Last season, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 point guard for Arizona, and he has been a consistent performer in college, including with Georgetown at the start of his career.
Caleb Mills, Florida State (transfer): The Seminoles don’t have a lot of perimeter experience, but Mills might be the solution. Last season, he only appeared in four games for Houston, but he was named the AAC Preseason Player of the Year.
Tre Mitchell, Texas (transfer): Mitchell should be one of the top big guys in the nation in terms of talent and potential. With UMass, he dominated the Atlantic 10 for two seasons and expects to do the same in the Big 12. Last season, he scored 18.8 points.
18. Kentucky (transferKellan )’s Grady: Grady should be a mainstay in Kentucky’s starting lineup this season. He’s one of college basketball’s most decorated players, having scored over 2,000 points in his time at Davidson. Scorer with a lot of experience.
Max Christie, Michigan State (freshman): Tom Izzo has a lot of skilled and seasoned players on his roster this season, but he’ll need scoring now that Aaron Henry is gone. Christie can help in this situation. East Lansing’s first reaction has been good.
20. Garrison Brooks, Mississippi State (transfer): Ben Howland will be hoping Brooks reverts to his North Carolina junior season form, when he averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and was voted preseason ACC Player of the Year before last season.
21. Marreon Jackson, Arizona State (transfer): Jackson was the MAC Player of the Year last season at Toledo and has apparently looked very well in the preseason in Tempe. Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year, in my opinion.
Kadary Richmond, Seton Hall (transfer): Kadary Richmond, Seton Hall (transfer): An interesting talent who continues to make waves in the NBA. Richmond is long, he’s improved his shooting, he’s a great defender, and he always keeps the game moving.
23. Quincy Guerrier, Oregon (transfer): Guerrier should fit right in with Dana Altman’s system, which has a history of success with versatile players. Last season at Syracuse, he averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Tyson Walker, Michigan State (transfer): Walker will start as point guard for the Spartans right away. At Northeastern, he was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year while also averaging 18.8 points and 4.8 assists per game.
25. Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens (freshman): McGowens has been surrounded by a continuous stream of good talk from the day he came on campus in Lincoln. He has a lot of scoring ability and a long jumper range.
Kyler Edwards, Houston (transfer): After averaging double digits each of the last two seasons at Texas Tech, Edwards could be one of the greatest scorers in the AAC this season. Can shoot it from the outside and has had a strong preseason.
27. Boogie Ellis, USC (transfer): Since coming at USC, Ellis has generated a lot of great offseason hype, and he should have a strong season ahead of him. Is currently ranked in the top 60 of ESPN’s NBA draft rankings for 2022. Last season, he averaged 10.2 points per game and can score quickly.
28. DeVante’ Jones, Michigan (transfer): Jones was the Sun Belt Player of the Year last season at Coastal Carolina, and his skill on both ends of the court pleased NBA evaluators throughout the pre-draft process. Will take over as point guard for Juwan Howard right away.
29. LSU (transferXavier )’s Pinson: Pinson is a proven SEC scorer, averaging 13.6 points per game last season at Missouri, including a 36-point effort against TCU. Will Wade will need Pinson to score baskets early now that Adam Miller is injured.
30. Chris Lykes, Arkansas (transfer): Of all the newcomers at Arkansas, Lykes is expected to have the most influence. Before injury troubles in 2020-21, he was a major contributor at Miami, averaging 15.4 points and shooting 38.1 percent from three.
31. Auburn’s Walker Kessler (transfer): In Chapel Hill, the former five-star recruit was buried behind a trio of talented big men, but he showed sparks as the season progressed. He’ll have an effect on both ends of the floor if he gets a long run of minutes.
Stanford’s Harrison Ingram (freshman) is number 32. Ingram is the most competitive and first-place finisher in the 2021 class. He’ll contribute in terms of points and rebounds, but he’ll also do the small things that help a team win.
Nebraska (transfer): 33. Alonzo Verge Jr. This season, Verge, a genuinely explosive scorer, will get the green light under Fred Hoiberg’s system. At Arizona State two seasons ago, he scored 43 points in a game, and he scored 22 or more five times last season.
34. Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (transfer): It’ll be intriguing to watch how he and Washington get along in the backcourt, but there aren’t many point guards better than Wheeler. Last season at Georgia, he led the SEC in assists and finished fourth nationally.
35. Jayden Gardner, Virginia (transfer): Virginia returns virtually little output from last season, and Gardner should help cover that vacuum. He averaged 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds during the last three seasons at East Carolina, including 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in 2020-21.
36. Kevin Obanor, Texas Tech (transfer): Obanor was a quality player all season, but he shot to national prominence during Oral Roberts’ NCAA tournament run, averaging 70 points and 33 rebounds in four games.
37. Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman (freshman): Perimeter minutes will be a continual battle in Spokane this season, but Hickman might find himself in the starting lineup immediately. Had a fantastic senior season and brings a solid feel to the point guard position.
Trevor Keels (freshman) of Duke is number 38. If the preseason buzz is to be believed, Keels, one of the top pure scorers in the 2021 class, might be in and out of Durham sooner than anticipated. He has a college-ready physique and can rack up points quickly.
Alabama’s JD Davison (freshman) is number 39. Davison is one of the most interesting college possibilities this year. In transition, he’s incredibly agile and energetic, capable of making consistent above-the-rim moves. Between Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford, he should be a good match.
40. Aminu Mohammed (freshman, Georgetown): Mohammed is anticipated to be the best rookie in the Big East, as one of the highest-ranked signees in recent Georgetown history. Going to the rim and playing downhill, he is a force to be reckoned with.
41. Toumani Camara, Dayton (transfer): Camara is expected to be the best newcomer in the Atlantic 10, and early reports from Dayton are promising. Last season, he led Georgia with 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the SEC. Anthony Grant has been a fantastic addition to the team.
42. Fatts Russell, Maryland (transfer): If he can manage the show and adjust to the Big Ten, Russell will be the key to Maryland’s season. Two seasons ago, he was one of the top point guards in the nation, and last season at Rhode Island, he averaged 14.7 points and 4.5 assists.
43. De’Vion Harmon, Oregon (transfer): The Ducks have a few ball-handling options this season, but Harmon was a standout as a sophomore at Oklahoma last season. A year earlier, it was 12.9 points on average.
44. UCLA freshman Peyton Watson: Watson, who is expected to be drafted in the first round after he departs Westwood, may take a second seat offensively to Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the wings, but he adds a fresh dimension to the Bruins. He’ll have an influence on both ends of the spectrum.
45. Kentucky’s Daimion Collins (freshman): Collins may have more highlight-reel plays than anybody on the roster, but I’m not sure whether he starts from the start in Lexington. His upside is very high, and he might be a one-and-done NBA draft possibility.
Noah Locke (transfer) (46), Louisville: Chris Mack needs someone to generate consistent offense now that Carlik Jones and David Johnson have left. Locke may be the one. He’s a great outside shooter who averaged about 10 points per game throughout his three years at Florida.
47. Dylan Disu, Texas (transfer): This season, Disu is Texas’ X-factor. He’s been restricted since having knee surgery in February, but he averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 rebounds at Vanderbilt and offers height and strength to the paint.
48. Emanuel Miller, TCU (transfer): Miller averaged 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds for Texas A&M last season, and Jamie Dixon is looking for a repeat performance for what could be a sneaky-good TCU squad.
49. Armaan Franklin, Virginia (transfer): Franklin is anticipated to offer Tony Bennett and Virginia with an instant scoring boost this season. His biggest quality is his shooting skill, as he shot over 42% from three-point range last season at Indiana.
50. Earl Timberlake, Memphis (transfer): He had an injury-shortened rookie season at Miami and hasn’t exactly looked the part so far at Memphis, but I’m still hoping he lives up to the promise he showed just a year ago.
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51. K.D. Johnson, Auburn (transfer): If given the chance, he may be one of the finest pure scorers in the SEC. Last season, he spent practically all of his time on the bench for Georgia, but he still averaged 13.5 points per game and had four 20-point outings.
52. Keith Williams, Western Kentucky (transfer): A late choice by Rick Stansbury, Williams quickly establishes himself as one of Conference USA’s greatest players. Last season at Cincinnati, he was named to the second team All-AAC after averaging 14.3 points per game.
Jordan Brown, Louisiana (transfer): Brown had a lot of buzz coming out of high school, but he had ups and downs at Nevada and Arizona. Brown, who is now in the Sun Belt, is one of the league’s most gifted players and is expected to dominate.
54. Elijah Olaniyi, Stony Brook (transfer): Olaniyi averaged 18.0 points at Stony Brook the previous time he competed in the America East. In the meanwhile, he was averaging double digits for Miami. He’ll be in charge of a team that should be a championship contender.
Kendall Brown (freshman) of Baylor: Brown, a five-star recruit, was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year this season. Brown may not have to bear too much of the scoring burden this season, with Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer apparently looking excellent in preseason.
56. Timmy Allen, Texas (transfer): With Texas’ depth in the backcourt and in the post, Allen may not play the same role he had at Utah last season, but he’s highly versatile and earned first-team all-conference accolades.
Jordan Hawkins, UConn (freshman): 57. Jordan Hawkins, UConn (freshman): The Huskies’ main concern during the summer was how they would replace James Bouknight. Hawkins may start in the backcourt straight immediately, even if he won’t do it himself. He’s a capable shooter who can score at a high level.
58. Mouhamed Gueye, Washington State (freshman): Gueye was seen as a bargain when he signed to the Cougars, and he hasn’t disappointed in Pullman thus far. As a freshman, he seems to be set to play a significant role straight soon.
59. Maryland’s Qudus Wahab (transfer): The Terrapins needed a post player this summer, and Wahab was one of the finest to come through the portal. In an NCAA tournament defeat to Colorado, he averaged 12.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.
60. Jacob Young, Oregon (transfer): Young was a standout for Rutgers last season and now joins an Oregon squad that is deep and skilled. Altman’s distribution of perimeter minutes will be important to watch. Last season, he averaged 14.1 points and 3.4 assists per game.
61. Storm Murphy, Virginia Tech (transfer): Murphy will start right away at point guard after reuniting with old coach Mike Young, who he played for at Wofford. Excellent shooter (40% from three), averaging 17.8 points and 4.3 assists per game.
62. LSU’s Efton Reid (freshman): One of the top big players in the class of 2021, Reid has a wide range of skills and should have the most impact on the offensive end. In Baton Rouge, the 6-foot-11 center will be called on soon because of his sophisticated post game.
63. Tyrece Radford, Texas A&M (transfer): Radford transferred from Virginia Tech late in the summer, but his presence was welcomed by Buzz Williams. When on the court, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds and was quite efficient.
64. Al Durham, Providence (transfer): Durham was a reliable starter at Indiana for the previous three seasons, developing into a capable facilitator and outside shooter. In preseason sessions and scrimmages, he allegedly looked fantastic.
65. Tamar Bates, Indiana (freshman): Bates showed sparks during Indiana’s summer vacation to the Bahamas, and he might be in the starting lineup shortly. Mike Woodson made a big move after taking over in Bloomington.
66. Moussa Diabate (freshman) of Michigan: Even with Brandon Johns Jr. and Hunter Dickinson back up front, keeping Diabate off the floor will be difficult. Diabate possesses a high motor, a strong defensive presence, and a well-developed attacking game.
Hunter Sallis (freshman) of Gonzaga: As previously said, the perimeter in Spokane is packed, but Sallis should be able to find a way around it. He’s a five-star talent who can play both guard positions and has made significant progress in his last two years of high school.
68. A.J. Griffin, Duke (freshman): Griffin’s growth will be slowed by a sprained right knee suffered in early October, but he has all the attributes to be a first-round choice next spring. Once he’s totally healthy, he’ll have to wait behind Keels and Wendell Moore Jr.
69. Matthew Cleveland, Florida State (freshman): If Kentucky transfer Cam’Ron Fletcher starts regularly for the Seminoles, this place might belong to him. But Cleveland has terrific height and length, can score at all three levels and creates plays in transition.
70. Creighton (freshman): Former UNLV signee Arthur Kaluma is the most talented member of Creighton’s rich incoming class. Kaluma has experience playing for the Ugandan national team and can make plays on both ends of the floor.
71. Manny Obaseki, Texas A&M (freshman): Obaseki had a terrific senior season in Texas and brings a high-energy, aggressive style of basketball to College Station. That should be ideal for Williams. In preseason, the coach praised Obaseki’s defense.
72. Jeremy Sochan, Baylor (freshman): The Sochan excitement grows every week, despite the fact that he may open the season behind a pair of veterans in the frontcourt. But he’s a talented player who can play both ends of the court and is just getting better.
73 and 74 are the two numbers. Iona (transfers): Elijah Joiner and Tyson Jolly Rick Pitino’s Gaels are the MAAC favorites this season, and Joiner and Jolly’s acquisitions are crucial to those expectations. Tulsa’s Joiner was a reliable facilitator, while SMU’s Jolly proved he could score.
75. DaRon Holmes (freshman), Dayton: Holmes, the second Dayton newbie on our list, is a top-50 recruit who should make an immediate impact for the Flyers. He’s a talented frontcourt player who can score from both inside and outside the paint.
76. Justin Powell, Tennessee (transfer): Powell was one of the pleasant surprises of last season’s first half, averaging 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and shooting 44.2 percent from three when healthy. For the Vols, he’ll team up with Chandler.
77. Liam Robbins, Vanderbilt (transfer): Robbins has already made an impression at two different schools, beginning his career at Drake and then spending a season at Minnesota. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
78. Penn State (transferJalen )’s Pickett: Pickett, who is expected to be the focal point of Micah Shrewsberry’s first season with the Nittany Lions, is looking to reclaim the form he showed in his first two seasons with Siena. With strong vision and a decent size, he can make jumpers from the outside.
Phlandrous Fleming Jr., Phlandrous Fleming, Phlandrous Fleming, Phlandrous Fleming Mike White brought in a bunch of transfers, but word out of Gainesville is that Fleming has already made an impression. At Charleston Southern, he was named first-team All-Big South and was named Defensive Player of the Year.
Stanley Umude (transfer): 80. Stanley Umude (transfer): 80. Stanley Umude (transfer): 80. Last season, Umude averaged 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists as a three-time All-Summit pick at South Dakota. His flexibility will be a factor for the Razorbacks, and he should be able to start right away.
81. Daeshun Ruffin, Ole Miss (freshman): As a freshman, Ruffin will most likely be handed the keys to the Ole Miss offense. With the ball in his hands, he has incredible speed and can score off the bounce. He’s just 5-foot-9, but he’s a brave player.
82. Tanner Groves, Oklahoma (transfer): Groves made national headlines with his 35-point performance against Kansas in the first round of the NCAA tournament with Eastern Washington. He did, however, win the Big Sky Player of the Year award. In Porter Moser’s debut season, he should be an anchor.
83. Paul Atkinson, Notre Dame (transfer): The Fighting Irish have high aspirations for the NCAA tournament this season, and Atkinson is a big part of it. Before sitting out last season, he was named co-player of the year in the Ivy League with Yale in 2019-20.
84. UCLA transfer Myles Johnson: Johnson is the kind of transfer that suits Mick Cronin’s defensive and toughness attitude. Last season, he was one of the finest Big Ten defensive players, averaging 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for Rutgers.
85. Moussa Cisse, Oklahoma State (transfer): Cisse was a disappointment at Memphis last season, particularly on the offensive end, but he’s one of the greatest defensive big men in the nation and will provide the Cowboys a new dimension on the inside.
86. Noah Gurley, Alabama (transfer): Nate Oats has a track record of producing versatile frontcourt players, and Gurley fits the bill. For the Crimson Tide, it should begin right away up front. Last season at Furman, he averaged 15.4 points per game.
87. Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State (freshman): Under T.J. Otzelberger, the Cyclones should play at a quicker pace than they did under Steve Prohm, which should be good news for Hunter. He excels in transition, enjoys pushing the ball, and is a threat at the rim.
Rocket Watts, Mississippi State (transfer): Had some preseason injury difficulties, but Ben Howland will need him healthy — and successful — at point guard this season. During his two seasons at Michigan State, Watts failed to meet expectations.
89. Indiana’s Xavier Johnson (transfer): Johnson is expected to start in the backcourt, but he’ll have to cut down on turnovers and become more of a two-way player. With just a few weeks left in the system, he left Pittsburgh with a bang (14.2 PPG, 5.7 APG).
90. Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley (freshman): When we chatted with Mike Brey recently, he couldn’t say enough good things about Wesley. Wesley has the potential to be a pro, and he may not be in South Bend for the next four years. The Irish have a lot of perimeter experience returning, but Wesley will play.
Julian Reese (freshman), Maryland: All summer, the buzz around College Park was that Reese was going to have a big impact and may be drafted in the NBA. That has been muted a bit by the guys ahead of him in the lineup, but Reese is going to have an effect.
Following them are Tennessee’s Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Weber State’s Koby McEwen, Florida Gulf Coast’s Kevin Samuel, Oklahoma State’s Bryce Thompson, Texas A&M’s Marcus Williams, and Northern Arizona’s Jalen Cone.
There are seven more mid-major freshmen to keep an eye on: Western Kentucky’s Zion Harmon; Samford’s Wesley Cardet Jr.; Drake’s Tucker DeVries; Georgia Southern’s Mannie Harris; Long Beach State’s AJ Neal; Denver’s Tevin Smith; Northwestern State’s Emareyon McDonald
The “college basketball rankings” is a ranking of college basketball teams. The rankings are created by the NCAA and are used to determine seeding for the men’s tournament.
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