NCAA Basketball: Top Transfers

We all know about the top recruits and JUCO transfers (if you've been reading this website), but what about the transfers? Who will make the biggest impact on their new teams after sitting out last year? Here are ten that should have plenty of success in their new homes this season:

David Padgett, Louisville (from Kansas). The highly recruited center averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as a freshman in Lawrence. He shot over 50% from the field and blocked 43 shots, the second most by a freshman in school history. But then he took everyone by surprise by announcing that he would seek a transfer from KU, saying he wanted a chance to play the four position, and be more of a face-up player - a curious demand for a seven-footer. Still, Rick Pitino is glad to have him. Padgett is a tremendous talent, and will be a preseason pick for the all-Big East team. Should the Cardinals get through their brutal schedule with an NCAA Tournament berth, Padgett will be a big reason why.

Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt (from Virginia). The former Gatorade High School player of the year in Tennessee was seemingly on his way to a solid career with the Cavs before transferring. His sophomore year he started 18 games, and averaged 20.9 minutes, 7.5 points and 3.4 rebounds - scoring in double figures 11 times. Vanderbilt is coming off a year that saw them finish with an 8-8 conference record and an NIT berth, after being picked to finish dead last in the SEC. Graduation took a heavy toll on the Commodore starting lineup from last season, but Coach Kevin Stallings and senior star Mario Moore will have them poised for another surprise run should Byars continue to develop and show flashes of his potential.

Marco Killingsworth, Indiana (from Auburn). After a very disappointing season, Hoosier fans have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mr. Killingsworth. Auburn's leading scorer and rebounder his junior season, Killingworth declared for the NBA Draft but withdrew after it became apparent he would be a late second round pick at best. He is only the 10th Auburn player to reach 1000 points and 500 rebounds in his career. Despite never playing a minute in the Big Ten, he was selected to play on the Big Ten Foreign Tour, coached by Bruce Weber of Illinois, that played five games in Spain in August - and led the team with over 15 points and 7 rebounds a game. He will join fellow Auburn transfer Lewis Monroe, who should also start immediately. Since Killingsworth only has one season of eligibility left, Coach Davis knows full well that his two former Tigers hold the key not only to Indiana's post-season hopes, but possibly his own coaching status next season.

Nate Carter, Oklahoma (from UC-Riverside). After watching three of his players transfer in two years, Kelvin Sampson is thrilled to have a highly regarded transfer come in to Norman. Carter is a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior who averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game in two seasons at UC-Riverside. He is expected to be in the starting lineup right away. In fact, Coach Sampson believes so much in Carter he says he would have started last year, which should tell you something. If Carter is as good as advertised, the Sooners will be a popular "sleeper" pick to win the Big 12 and reach the Final Four.

Marcus White, Purdue (from Connecticut). White averaged 3.2 points and 4.6 rebounds for Connecticut despite only playing 7.4 minutes a game. He was clearly a gifted player, but his playing time was severely limited due to UConn's talent and depth in the frontcourt - which led to his decision to transfer. Because he transferred in December of 2004, the 6-8, 230 pound forward will not be eligible to play for the Boilermakers until December, just before the start of Big Ten play. However, by all accounts, White is clearly happy in his new home, and if his back stays healthy, should give Purdue a huge boost inside.

Marcus Arnold, Illinois (Illinois State). The 6-8, 240-pounder started 27 games for Illinois State in his last season, averaging 12.3 points and leading the team with 4.6 rebounds. He actually scored 23 in a game against the Fighting Illini that season. He was second in the Missouri Valley Conference in blocked shots, and, more importantly, was the captain of the MVC's Most Improved Team. Arnold should be a nice compliment to James Augustine as the Illini will be looking to their post players more for offense now that Luther Head and Deron Williams are in the NBA.

De'Angelo Alexander, Charlotte (from Oklahoma). Alexander is a great outside shooting threat, shooting 44% from the field and .374 from beyond the arc - hitting 40 threes - in his last season with the Sooners. He also averaged nearly 5 rebounds a game. Alexander will start immediately, and will be a perfect inside-outside compliment for Curtis Withers, possibly the preseason favorite for Atlantic 10 Player of the year.

Omar Wilkes, California (from Kansas). Joining his younger brother Jordan, Wilkes will provide an immediate boost to a vastly improved Cal team. Wilkes saw very limited playing time his freshman season at Kansas, averaging only 3.5 minutes a game, due to an abundance of talent at his position. However, the son of NBA great Jamal Wilkes was a top 100 recruit coming out of high school, has great leaping ability and can shoot the 3. Wilkes should get the playing time he needs to develop into a solid contributor and, along with a healthy Leon Powe, could help Cal make a surprise run through the PAC-10.

Ryan Appleby, Washington (from Florida). A top 50 prospect in high school and runner-up for Mr. Basketball in the state of Washington, Appleby is back home and ready to make his presence felt. In 23 games for the Gators, he had 27 assists to 22 turnovers on the year, helping Florida earn a 5 seed in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Appleby won't make Husky fans forget about Nate Robinson anytime soon, but he should have a great career at U-Dub.

Ron Lewis, Ohio State (from Bowling Green). Buckeye fans are already looking ahead to next year when Greg Oden comes to town, but they should not overlook who's coming in this season. Lewis started nearly every game during his sophomore season at Bowling Green, and racked up 877 career points in all - the second highest in school history over a two-year period. Besides being a natural scorer, he knows how to get to the line and is a great free-throw shooter once he gets there. He has the potential to not only start but also be the leader of this team.

Also keep an eye on:

Dwayne Curtis, Ole Miss (from Auburn)

Tremaine Fuqua, UTEP (from Oklahoma State) and Edgar Moreno, UTEP (from Texas)

Ben Rand, Northern Illinois (from Iowa)

Rodrick Stewart, Kansas (from USC)