Welcome to Paint Touches’ 2016 Transfer Tracker. This list is our attempt at making sense of the hundreds of transfers that are bound to occur in the 2016 offseason. Every player on this list is a traditional transfer, which is to say that they will need to sit out the 2016-2017 season. If you’re looking for graduate transfers Paint Touches has you covered. You can find that list here. One caveat I’ll give before sharing this list, this is merely one man’s opinion and analysis of which Free Agents are the best available. I am not a former player, I have never coached college basketball, I spent my high school years playing in the pep band not on the hardwood. I am merely some guy on the internet who, from a scary young age, has spent way too many waking hours watching, debating, and obsessing over college basketball. Now that we have that out of the way….to the list!
It was a fairly quiet week on the transfer market. Two of the best guards have been taken off the board with Kory Holden making the sex change from Delaware Blue Hen to South Carolina Gamecock and Maine freshman phenom Isaac Vann heading to VCU. No new quality transfers have come available to replace them so we added the top two off our watch list. Still plenty of quality transfers to add. With the end of the spring signing period fast approaching, I would expect things to heat up in the next two weeks.
UPDATES:
ADDED:
#14 Isaac Fleming
#15 Elijah Minnie
REMOVED:
#3 Kory Holden (committed to South Carolina)
#4 Isaac Vann (committed to VCU)
- Derryck Thronton Jr.- 6”2 175 lb FR PG from Duke
26.2 mpg, 7.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.2 bpg, .386 FG%, .333 3P%
It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while, there is a transfer that is clearly the best player on the market and is at the top of everyone’s wish list. Derryck Thornton is that player this season. A top 15 recruit coming out of high school, Thornton was the first man off the bench for blue-blooded Duke this season. He always played the point, moving superstar Grayson Allen to playing off the ball. He should he was a capable distributor, getting the 2nd most assists on the team while maintaining a low turnover rate. He’s a very good perimeter defender. His shot needed some work as he shot an unimpressive 39% from the floor and 32% from three, but the form is good and upside is undeniably high. You rarely see top 15 recruits transfer. Give Thornton a redshirt year to develop and he will be very deadly for whatever squad is lucky enough to land him.
UPDATE (4/21): Thornton is down to four schools: Kansas, USC, Miami (FL), and Washington.
- Devin Watson- 6”1 155 lb SO PG from San Francisco
34.7 mpg, 20.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.9 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.0 bpg, .418 FG%, .349 3P%
Devin Watson might have been the most improved player in all of Division 1 basketball. A season ago, he was a bench player for the Dons and a very inefficient one at that. He managed 8.4 ppg on 38% shooting. He had almost no ability to shoot the three, hitting 16 at a 25% clip. Watson put in the time during the offseason and turned himself into an elite scorer. He was in the top 25 scorers of all Division 1 at 20.3 ppg. He found his touch from deep, nailing 65 treys at 35%. He didn’t just score, he also turned himself into a distributor, racking up nearly 5 assists a game. Watson could fit onto any high major in need of a PG.
UPDATE (4/29): UNLV, San Diego State, Kanas, and California are all showing interest in Watson.
- Caleb Martin- 6”7 210 lb SO SF from North Carolina State
30.5 mpg, 11.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.6 bpg, .389 FG% .361 3P%
Caleb Martin is long armed, sharp shooting wing. North Carolina State wasn’t as good as expected this season but Caleb is still an ACC battle tested wing who can fill up a stat sheet. Should be an immediate impact player for whatever squad he ends up with. It’s unclear if he will attempt to stick with his identical twin brother, Cody Martin, who also transferred from NC State.
UPDATE (4/21): The Martin twins plan to visit Cal, Rutgers, Providence, and Depaul
UPDATE (4/29): The Martin twins will visit Cal this weekend.
- DeSean Murray- 6”5 210 lb SO SF from Presbyterian
29.1 mpg, 20.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.0 spg, 0.5 bpg, .543 FG%, .000 3P%
Murray was an absolute beast for the Blue Hose this past season. Built like a high major wing, he actually spent a lot of his time guarding the post. His quickness and hands allowed him to be successful on defense and his high motor helped him corral over seven boards a game. On offense he has speed and craftiness which allow him to score a variety of ways. One thing not in his arsenal is the three point shot, he is 1-11 in his career. He is a scorer that could help most high major programs and be a star at a mid-major. Murray has gotten calls from the likes of VCU, Maryland, Wake Forest, Auburn, and Boston College.
UPDATE (4/14): Murray has set visits with Middle Tennessee State and Auburn.
UPDATE (4/21): Richmond is showing strong interest in Murray.
UPDATE (4/29): Murray has visited Middle Tennessee State and will visit Auburn this weekend.
- Cuyler “Stuckey” Mosley- 6”3 175 lb SO SG from Toledo
30.5 mpg, 10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.2 bpg, .423 FG%, .362 3P%
Mosley was the starting PG for a decent (by MAC standards) Toledo team. The Orlando native does a lot of damage by driving to the bucket but has range out to the three point line. He has good height for the PG position and is a solid defender. Very proficient at driving and then kicking out to open shooters. Could absolutely be a high major PG after sitting out the mandatory redshirt year.
UPDATE (4/21): Has set a visit to Louisiana Tech. Also considering George Washington, San Francisco, and William and Mary.
- Cody Martin- 6”7 205 lb SO SF from North Carolina State
25.8 mpg, 6.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg, .467 FG%, .429 3P% (3-7)
Cody Martin is the other half of the Martin twin duo from NC State. Cody is a similar type player to his brother but does not have an outside shot. Cody projects as a very solid utility wing for a high major. He also spent some time backing up Cat Barber at the point. It remains to be seen if the twins are considered a package deal or if they are looking to go their own ways.
UPDATE (4/21): The Martin twins plan to visit Cal, Rutgers, Providence, and Depaul
UPDATE (4/29): The Martin twins will visit Cal this weekend.
- Daniel Giddens- 6”10 228 lb FR C from Ohio State
18.2 mpg, 3.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.5 spg, 1.5 bpg, .464 FG% .000 3P%
Giddens was the first player off the bench for the Buckeyes this past season. His defense is far ahead of his offense as averaged a team leading 1.5 bpg in only 18 minutes of work. He was a top 50 recruit in the 2015 class and comes from basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy. His potential and his size should get him a spot on another high major squad. The year off could be very beneficial for him as he needs to add strength and work on his offensive game.
UPDATE (4/14): Giddens is visiting hometown Georgia.
UPDATE (4/29): Giddens visited Georgia and will visit TCU this weekend.
- Jimmy Whitt- 6”4 173 lb FR SG from Arkansas
17.2 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.2 bpg, .387 FG%, .375 3P%
Whitt was a solid bench player for a mediocre Arkansas team. He has a good shooting stroke and can finish well around the rim. He played off the ball at Arkansas but was a PG in high school and could be groomed into a PG at the college level. His best game of the season was a 15 point outing at Missouri, which resides in his hometown of Columbia. Has potential to develop into a major contributor at another high major program. Picked Arkansas over Mizzou and Marquette coming out of high school. Cuonzo Martin at Cal is the early leader for his services.
UPDATE (4/14): Whitt has set visits with NC State and Colorado.
UPDATE (4/21): Whitt is also considering Kansas State, Wisconsin, Kansas, and SMU.
- Dayon Griffin: 6”5 188 lb SO PG from Louisiana Tech
28.8 mpg, 11.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.3 bpg, .470 FG%, .367 3P%
Dayon Griffin transformed himself from a seldom used backup into a trusted starter for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. While only their third leading scorer, Griffin was valuable because he did a little bit of everything. He was the team’s greatest deep threat with 51 threes and 37% 3P shooting. He has good length and played strong defense. He played PG in high school and hasn’t lost his ability to distribute. He could be a star at another mid major or valuable glue guy for a high major.
UPDATE (4/29): Griffin will visit Central Florida this weekend.
- Jordan Johnson: 5”9 175 lb JR PG from UW-Milwaukee
35.2 mpg, 12.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 8.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.0 bpg, .433 FG%, .321 3P%
UW Milwaukee has absolutely imploded since firing skipper Rob Jeter. Six players have transferred, including three starters. Johnson might be the one that hurts the most. Johnson might be the shortest player on this list but he might be one of the most talented. Johnson ranked 2nd in all of D1 basketball in assists per game at 8.1. He was second only to media darling and fellow Horizon competitor Kay Felder of Oakland. He also has the speed to get into the lane and score around bigger defenders. The biggest things working against Johnson are his size and his only having one year of eligibility left. It’s hard to find a team that wants to spend two years of scholarship for one year of production. If he finds a high major willing to do that, he could be an extremely good PG for an NCAA contender.
- Paul Jackson: 6”1 178 lb SO PG from Eastern Kentucky
27.2 mpg, 7.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.1 bpg, .451 FG%, .421 3P%
Jackson joins this list after being the floor general for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels this past season. Originally from Georgia, Jackson arrived in Richmond, KY as a seldom used backup guard. He put in the work in the offseason and won the starting PG spot. From here he lead a decent Eastern Kentucky team to a middle of the road finish in the Ohio Valley conference. Jackson is a pass first PG, he has the send highest assist rate on the transfer watch. He is very accurate with his three pointer but didn’t use it often (only 24 3PM). Jackson could run the point for a high major team in desperate need of a distributor. He may have difficulty scoring and defending at a high level, his 3.1 fouls per game from the point guard position is especially concerning.
- Roland Griffin: 6”6 195 lb FR SG from Illinois State
21.9 mpg, 5.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.3 bpg, .468 FG%, .393 3P%
Roland Griffin’s career got off to a promising start for the Redbirds down in Normal, IL. He was one of the first players off the bench and showed an ability to do a little bit of everything. He could bang in the post, distribute to the open man, hit the open jumper, and play solid defense. His most impressive outing came against the Wildcats of Kentucky, where he put up 14 points against the then #1 team in the country. A toe injury sidelined him in January. He would have returned to the court but he was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. Depending on the nature of the suspension, Griffin might be worth the risk. After a redshirt year, he could be a contributor on a high-major squad, or a starter for a mid-major. By the end of his redshirt senior season, Griffin has the potential to be a solid starter for a high-major squad.
- Terrell Allen- 6”2 180 lb FR PG from Drexel
32.9 mpg, 9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 0.1 bpg, .407 FG%, .321 3P%
Terrell Allen was the star freshmen and best player for the Drexel Dragons this past season. Lightly recruited out of high school, Allen made an immediate impact in the Colonial. He is speedy guard that excels at driving into the lane. He can finish at the rim, pull up in mid-range, and kick out to open shooters. He has range out to the three point line though he has a lot of growing to do in this area. On defense he has quick hands that are very disruptive. He lead the Dragons in minutes played, assists, and steals. He has the potential to become a high major point guard, though will likely need some time to develop. He has already heard from Virginia Tech, Arkansas, UNLV, SMU, and Dayton.
UPDATE (4/29): Allen is considering Central Florida, Virginia Tech, NC State, George Washington, and Arkansas
- Isaac Fleming: 6”3 190 lb SO PG from Hawaii
23.6 mpg, 9.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.0 bpg, .445 FG%, .307 3P%
Fleming was the fifth starter on a Hawaii Warriors squad that ended up making the Round of 32 this season…though Fleming did not join them for the postseason. One of the more interesting transfer stories, Fleming asked for his release during the regular season, in late February. A slashing guard, Fleming used his speed to get into the paint and score. His 9.5 ppg, were modest but he eclipsed the 20 point mark three times, including 21 against high major Texas Tech. Fleming suffered an ankle injury in a home loss to Long Beach State. He missed four games before returning to the court. He was still recovering from the injury and it affected his play. He only averaged 12 mpg in the four games he played after the injury. With Hawaii’s postseason ban looming, and his injury keeping him from performing, Fleming decided to shut himself down early and start the transfer process. He will likely end up at another mid major but could be a role player for a high major squad in need of guard depth.
- Elijah Minnie: 6”8 210 lb SO PF from Robert Morris
29.5 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.9 bpg, .427 FG%, .327 3P%
Minnie was a beastly presence in the post for a very bad Colonials team. Blessed with good size and length, Minnie beat out NEC defenders for rebounds, putbacks, and swatted his fair share of opponent layups. Minnie has range out to the three point line. He only shot about 33% last season but his freshman year he was shooting over 40%. He certainly has all the tools high majors look for, but his work ethic has always been a question. He had games where he looked dominant like his 23 point, 12 rebound, 3 block outburst against Duquesne. But he also had games where he was nonexistent, such as when he put up a whopping 0 points and 1 rebound in 26 minutes against Mount St. Mary’s. Not only that, but he was dismissed from Robert Morris at the end of January for an undisclosed violation of team rules. He has the skills but his attitude may keep several teams from giving him a look.
The next 15 transfers we are watching:
Matt Rose: 6”7 200 lb FR SF from Samford
Byron Hawkins: 6”0 175 lb SO PG from Towson
Fredrick Edmond: 6”4 190 lb JR SG from Western Kentucky
Jalen Hudson: 6”5 195 lb SO SG from Virginia Tech
CJ Turman: 6”9 250 lb SO C from Florida Atlantic
Namon Wright- 6”5 210 SO SF from Missouri
Dwayne Morgan- 6”8 205 lb SO SF from UNLV
Derrick Bruce- 6”3 165 lb FR PG from Oregon State
Javon Bess: 6”5 205 lb SO SF from Michigan State
Paul Jorgensen: 6”2 183 lb SO PG from George Washington
AJ Harris: 5”9 157 lb FR PG from Ohio State
Dominik Olejniczak: 7”0 249 lb FR C from Drake
Isaiah Wright: 6”2 177 lb SO PG from Utah
Adonys Henriquez: 6”6 210 lb SO SF from UCF
James Palmer: 6”5 200 lb SO SG from Miami(FL)
Paint Touches 
Thanks for wwriting this