Earlier today, Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com released the first installment of his end of the year transfer list and, well, it is a bit overwhelming. Over 200 players made the first cut, with undoubtedly more left to come. Here are seven names that will make an impact wherever they land:
Gerard Coleman: Coleman is a crafty and athletic 6'4" lefty that averaged double figures in each of his first two seasons at Providence. He’s not a great shooter and he can be a bit turnover prone, but one thing Coleman is able to do is score the ball. He averaged 13.2 ppg and even went for 30 against West Virginia, but his numbers dropped late in the season as he scoring became about as inconsistent as his minutes.
Trent Lockett: Lockett is a senior-to-be and has led Arizona State in scoring the last two seasons, but his mother was diagnosed with cancer back in Minnesota so he is transferring to be closer to her. There is a chance he could play immediately, either through a hardship waiver or as a result of the fact that he is graduating this summer. NCAA rules stipulate that a player doesn’t have to sit out the mandatory one season if a) they are transferring to be closer to an ill loved one, or b) transferring to pursue a graduate degree at a different institution. Minnesota would be the perfect fit, except the Gophers are already trying to figure out how to get an extra scholarship open for Trevor Mbakwe, who has a sixth year of eligibility.
TJ McConnell: McConnell is one of the best point guards you’ve never heard of. The junior-to-be spent the past two seasons toiling away at Duquesne, opting to transfer right before Ron Everhart was fired. McConnell would start at the majority of the high-major programs today.
Alex Oriakhi: National Champion and former UConn Husky Alex Oriakhi has left Storrs for his final season of eligibility, but he will be able to play immediately if UConn is ruled ineligible for the 2013 NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-9 power forward would be a valuable addition to any roster, and would, in all likelihood, start wherever he ends up. It’s nice to add an all-conference caliber senior with national title experience. Every school in the country will be recruiting Oriakhi.
Trey Ziegler: Zeigler opted to transfer after Central Michigan fired their head coach, who just so happens to be Trey’s father. Zeigler averaged 15.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg for the Chippewas. He started out his re-recruitment with a visit to Duke.
If you want to take a risk:
Justin Coleman: Coleman is a top 50 talent, but he is a major head case. He couldn’t get cleared at Louisville and ended up at Marshall, where Coleman proceeded to get himself kicked off the team in part because he was texting while on the bench.
Glen Rice, Jr: Rice averaged 13.0 ppg for Georgia Tech as a junior, but he was suspended for the last six games of the season after being suspended for the first three. He was then involved in some kind of shooting outside an Atlanta club.
Other notable transfers: Kelsey Barlow (Purdue), Gil Biruta (Rutgers), Jamar Briscoe (Charlotte), Carlton Brundidge (Michigan), Kyle Cain (Arizona State), Tony Chennault (Wake Forest), Carson Desrosiers (Wake Forest), Naji Hibbert (Texas A&M), Willy Kouassi (Auburn), Brendan Lane (UCLA), Deville Smith (Mississippi State), Evan Smotrycz (Michigan), Jared Swopshire, (Louisville)
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.