The NCAA rules committee denied a rule change that would limit the use of graduate transfers, requiring that the team taking on the graduate transfer would take on the scholarship for an additional year unless the player graduated during that year. Importantly, the NCAA is making it less strict to transfer without sitting out a year with a new waiver system. Transfers can now have more opportunity to have an immediate impact for a team.
First off, this gives players an opportunity to be a part of something that they would otherwise not be, such as Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens who were both graduate transfers from South Dakota and St. John’s respectively. It was a similar situation for Braxton Key from Virginia who was given immediate eligibility after a waiver was approved by the NCAA. Importantly, the opportunity to play for great programs in Texas Tech and Virginia, who played in the National Championship, would not have been possible without a waiver. Additionally, the opportunity of getting immediate eligibility for a player is a perfect situation for the player and for higher level teams.
This hurts the mid-major and low-major schools the most. In order to stay competitive with the higher level teams the player development, low end high school recruiting and the transfers for low major and JUCO teams need to be exceptional. Next, the opportunity to have a game changing player can change an entire team at the lower level more significantly than at the higher level. For example, Joe Cremo leaving for Villanova caused Albany to lose their best player. Transfers with immediate impact label that do not deliver cause this experiment to be a mistake for Cremo and Villanova that hurt a small school like Albany.
A player should be able to exercise their right of to move on to a better situation. Again, players pick school for coaches therefore if a coach leaves a player should be able to eligible immediately at the school the coach left for. If a player decides to move to another school they should sit out a year. Again, the player deserves more flexibility on the decisions they can make and the NCAA is making it more player friendly. Graduate transfers should have the continued ability to transfer and play immediately as they did their part by graduating. The opportunity of getting immediate eligible for a player is a perfect situation for the player and for higher level teams.Transfers with immediate impact that will give teams a major bonus are some of the following.
Kerry Blackshear, 6-foot-10, PF, JR., Virginia Tech
The best player immediately eligible for transfer is from Virginia Tech. Whoever lands Blackshear will get an impact star and likely All-American in Blackshear. He can get to his spot and is active offensively with great touch around the rim and can step away from the basket. Blackshear is a matchup problem that will give defenses fits. His defense is not great, as he can get faced up an attacked. Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds for Virginia Tech.
Max Hazzard, 5-foot-10, SG, Jr, UC Irvine to Arizona
Hazzard is instant offense and a bucket getter who is not afraid to take big shots. He will be a primary 3-point shooter for Arizona and should fit in well next to Nico Mannion and Jalen Green in the backcourt. Next, on defense he’s average and can stay in front but, is not long or very athletic. He averaged 12.5 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from deep.
Nate Sestina, 6-foot-9, PF, Jr, Bucknell to Kentucky
Sestina is a transfer with immediate impact for Kentucky to replace P.J. Washington and Reid Travis. In addition, he is a tough player inside who can operate around the basket and can step out and hit a perimeter jump shot. On defense he’s tough, but can give up interior points when a player has good post up positioning. Sestina averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Justin Pierce, 6-foot-7, SF, JR, William and Mary
Pierce spaces the floor very well and has great size to get shots over the top. He is a greJRt perimeter shooter that has enough ability to finish with runners. He also rebounds well and is very active on the glass. Defensively, he lacks great foot speed, but has good size Averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Shakur Juiston, 6-foot-7, PF, JR, UNLV
Juiston’s active energy helps him crash the glass and be good around the rim. He has a solid mid-range game and can face up. Furthermore, he has very good length and brings good energy. He averaged 14.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in 2017-18.
Christian Keeling, 6-foot-4, SG, Jr, Charleston Southern
Keeling isdefensively good size and positioning stays in front very well. Also, contests well and has active hands. Good in ball screen action will pull up in mid range. Can attack the basket very well a high tempo player loves right hand. In addition, he shoots the ball good from the perimeter a 3 level scorer. In addition, rebounds very well can push in transition. Averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds
Lamarr Kimbel, 6-foot, G, Jr, St Joseph’s to Louisville
He uses his body well as a physical guard who moves without the ball well. Kimbel is a good combo guard who can hit threes and go downhill and attack. He can get caught out of position it causes him trouble to stay in front and gets caught up in screens on defense. He averaged 15.6 points and 2.8 assists per game.
Rayjon Tucker, 6-foot-5, SF, Jr, Arkansas Little Rock
Tucker is a bucket getter pure scorer operates best with the ball. Very good size great in ball screen action has the ability to score at all 3 levels. Will give a team a go to scorer. Defensively lacks great effort off ball however, solid on ball with his size. Averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.
Admon Gilder, 6-foot-4, SG, Jr, Texas A&M
Gilder is a tough player, who is athletic and can get downhill well. Gilder is an active defender plays with good edge very solid rebounds well for size. Averaged 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2017-18.
He is a versatile player that plays hard. He will attack and finishes well around the basket. He has a perimeter jumper. Consequently, on defense, he’s average, although he gives good effort. He lacks great ability to stay in front. He averaged 8.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Images Courtesy of Getty Images, Images Courtesy of UNLV Athletics, Images Courtesy of Philly.com
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