Published Nov 2, 2016
Bossi's Best: Top 10 instant impact transfers
Eric Bossi  •  Rivals Network Hoops Hub
National Analyst
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@ebosshoops

The recruitment of transfers has become vital to the college basketball cycle of replenishing talent. Graduate transfers allow for programs to pick up immediately eligible one-year rentals while more traditional transfers allow for an infusion of talent that has experience in the program. Today, National Basketball Analyst Eric Bossi takes a look at 10 programs in line to reap the benefits of transfer recruiting.

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BAYLOR G MANU LECOMTE

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Previous stop: Rivals.com was unable to scout the Belgium product before he arrived at Miami. However, during his time with the Hurricanes he proved to be very capable of creating off the dribble and was a real threat from behind the three-point line while starting 40 of 71 games for the Hurricanes.

Why he’s important: The Bears lost Lester Medford – who played more than 32 minutes per game – to graduation and they don’t have another true point guard on the roster. If the Bears are going to compete in the Big 12, Lecomte needs to step in and pick up the slack. He should also be the Bears' best three-point shooter which should help open things up for their post players.

UCONN F TERRY LARRIER

Previous stop: Ranked No. 43 overall in the class of 2014, VCU pulled off what we considered one of the biggest steals of the year when it landed Larrier. He didn’t put up huge numbers as a freshman and struggled with his shot (just 34.3 percent from the field) but did show significant potential.

Why he’s important: When Daniel Hamilton left for the NBA after his sophomore season, the Huskies were left with next to zero experience on the wing for this year’s team. Larrier has had a year to add strength and work on shot selection, and while he’s not the passer Hamilton was, he can be as good, maybe even better, as a scorer.

CREIGHTON G MARCUS FOSTER

Previous stop: Foster was one of the final cuts to the 2013 Rivals150 due to concerns over whether he could stay in shape. During his freshman season at Kansas State, he was one of the nation’s biggest surprises as he got in shape and made second-team All-Big 12 while scoring more than 15 points a game. Discipline issues derailed Foster during his sophomore year and led to his departure from Manhattan.

Why he’s important: The slate has been wiped clean for Foster and he has the potential to be a big-time scorer. His explosive first step and pull-up jump shooting make him a potential star in the Big East. The Bluejays have lots of experience in returning senior guards Maurice Watson and Isaiah Zierden but if Foster can get back to the type of scorer he was a freshman they can make some serious noise.

GONZAGA'S TALENTED TRIO

Previous stops: We’ll cheat and go with the trio of former four-star recruits that have landed at Gonzaga because they are all important. A dangerous three-point jump shooter, Mathews is immediately eligible after scoring more than 1,200 points in three seasons at California. Williams-Goss put up big numbers in two seasons at Washington and Williams is a mobile power forward who played nearly 30 minutes a game during his sophomore season at Missouri.

Why they’re important: The Zags lost the top three scorers from their 2015-16 squad and while they are still very talented they only return three players who played more than 20 minutes per game. Having three players who already have healthy college experience will ease the burden on the newcomers and give Mark Few time to work in his newcomers.

VIRGINIA F AUSTIN NICHOLS

Previous stop: Memphis won an intense recruiting battle with Virginia, Vanderbilt, Duke, Tennessee and Auburn to keep the five-star prospect home. As a sophomore, Nichols began to deliver on the promise he had shown as a highly skilled and mobile four-man with face-up skill.

Why he’s important: The Cavaliers lost their top two post scorers (Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey) to graduation and have a need for a reliable big man. Nichols' ability to stretch the floor, along with his athleticism and size will help to ease the pressure on Isaiah Wilkins to make a big jump during his junior season.

SMU F SEMI OJELEYE

Previous stop: The No. 31 player in the class of 2013, Ojeleye set the state scoring record in Kansas before finding his way to Duke. In Durham, he never quite found his footing as a bit of a tweener forward and he transferred after 23 appearances in his first season and a half.

Why he’s important: The Mustangs lost a lot of size and are in need of interior scoring during Tim Jankovich’s debut season. Ojeleye is built like an NFL tight end and has the tools to be an All-American Conference player as a mismatch four-man with perimeter ability.

VILLANOVA F ERIC PASCHALL

Previous stop: Similar to the previously mentioned Foster, Paschall just missed the Rivals150 for his graduating class (2014) prior to a monster freshman season. Paschall wasn’t overly efficient, but he was hugely productive averaging 15.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game at Fordham.

Why he’s important: The defending national champions lost their only true post player in Daniel Ochefu and five-star freshman Omari Spellman is ineligible this year so they are in huge need of help in the low post. Paschall doesn’t have tremendous height, but he’s strong as a bull and will be a mismatch nightmare in the post.

GEORGETOWN F RODNEY PRYOR

Previous stop: Talk about taking the path less traveled. Pryor attended junior colleges in Illinois and Kansas, missing two of three years due to injury, before landing at Robert Morris. A well-built and athletic scorer, Pryor managed to rack up more than 1,000 points in just two seasons and was granted a sixth year of eligibility clearing the way for him to play at Georgetown this season as a graduate transfer.

Why he’s important: The Hoyas missed the NCAA Tournament last year but return a team that has plenty of size and experience. The addition of another big-time scorer like Pryor on the perimeter won’t just help them make the postseason, he could help them make some noise in March.

CINCINNATI C KYLE WASHINGTON

Previous stop: A four-star prospect out of high school in 2013, Washington canceled set trips to Ohio State and Washington to commit to NC State during his official visit. He showed flashes as a four-man with ability in the high post but never looked overly comfortable in Raleigh.

Why he’s important: Though Washington didn’t put up numbers like the others on this list, he’s landed at a place that has the perfect storm set up for him to excel. Well, at least the Bearcats need that from him. He is the only player over 6-foot-8 with experience in the program and, having already turned 23 in August, Washington has a level of physical maturity Cincinnati’s younger players can’t match.

SYRACUSE F ANDREW WHITE

Previous stops: The No. 51 player in the class of 2012, White began his career at Kansas fighting for minutes as a freshman and sophomore. After transferring to Nebraska, he looked to have found a home while scoring almost 17 points a game as a well-built shooter.

Why he’s important: With the graduation of Michael Gbinije and unexpected departure of Malachi Richardson for the NBA after just one season, the Orange have nearly 72 minutes and 31 points of wing production to replace. Immediately eligible as a graduate transfer, White is battle tested from his days in the Big 12 and Big Ten. His three-point jump shooting and strength are perfect fits.