5 transfers that could become X-factors to their new teams
Recruiting often gets the majority of the attention when it comes to bringing players into a program, but schools can certainly make splashes on those looking for a change of scenery as well.
A great number of players have elected to change institutions and postpone their careers for a calendar year in order to find the fit they want, and five of those players from this past year are looking to make their mark when next season tips off.
Jahmal McMurray - SMU
Off-court issues led to Jahmal McMurray's departure from South Florida in December after just three games, and it only took a little over a month to find a new home at SMU.
The 6-foot-1 guard elected to enroll at a junior college after leaving South Florida, meaning that he will be eligible for the Mustangs in December of 2017. McMurray averaged 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a freshman in 2015-16, and 20.3 points over the first three contests of last season.
The addition of McMurray will fill the void left by exiting senior Sterling Brown in the Mustangs' backcourt, and if the program can retain the services of Semi Ojeleye for his senior season, SMU could be poised for another competitive run at the NCAA Tournament next season.
Malik Newman - Kansas
Kansas is poised to lose a significant amount of the talent that carried them to the Elite Eight this season, with seniors Frank Mason III and Landen Lucas having played their final games, and Josh Jackson expected to depart for the NBA.
Enter, Malik Newman.
The former No. 10 recruit in the nation for the class of 2015, Malik Newman averaged 11.3 points as a freshman at Mississippi State before electing to take his talents to Kansas. Newman entered his name into the NBA draft at one point, but withdrew in order to make his transfer complete.
Newman has proven he can be a threat from beyond the arc at the college level, making three-or-more from long range on nine different occasions as a freshman. Head coach Bill Self will no doubt be looking to get the most out of his transfer in hopes of making yet another national championship push next season.
Derryck Thornton - USC
USC shocked the college basketball world when they upset SMU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Trojans will receive a nice little boost to the roster as Derryck Thornton prepares to suit up in the red and gold.
The former five-star recruit transferred from Duke after just one season that saw him average 7.1 points and 2.6 assists in 26 minutes as a freshman. USC's leading scorer Bennie Boatwright has elected to test the NBA draft waters, so Thornton could very well fill that void if he leaves. If Boatwright decides to return, the Trojans backcourt would get a lot deeper and a lot more talented.
Thornton was ranked ahead of the likes of Arizona's Allonzo Trier, Duke's Luke Kennard, and Indiana's Thomas Bryant in 2015's ESPN 100, so if that promise can translate into the similar success of his peers, USC could be in for a fruitful season.
Yankuba Sima - Oklahoma State
The name Yankuba Sima may not scream superstar to most people, but the former St. John's big man could offer a lot to Oklahoma State next season.
The addition of Sima to the Cowboys may not jump off the page to one as a difference maker, but for a team who had one of the most prolific offenses in the nation last season, some added depth in the frontcourt could pay dividends. Sima averaged 2.4 blocks a game as a freshman two seasons ago, and could have posted similar numbers this season had he not suffered a broken hand.
Sima should compete for starter's minutes come next season, as the Cowboys will lose senior Leyton Hammonds to graduation.
Marcus Lee - California
It's not every day a program can get a former McDonald's All-American and top-25 recruit in the nation on a transfer, but California has exactly that in the form of Marcus Lee.
The Golden Bears missed out on Lee originally, seeing him pass on their offer in favor of Kentucky, but second time appears to be the charm. Lee spent three seasons with the Wildcats, averaging just 6.4 points and six rebounds in 21.8 minutes two seasons ago. His numbers at Kentucky may not have been high, but he now has all the opportunity in the world with less bodies in front of him on the depth chart.
Coming to California as a senior, Lee could provide the Golden Bears with a stable, veteran presence on a roster that has already lost Ivan Rabb to the NBA draft.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)