31. F KeShawn Murphy
Transferring from: Mississippi State
Transferring to: Auburn
The scout: KeShawn Murphy transformed into the second-best player on a Mississippi State team that earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward can play the 4 or the 5, and he’s comfortable with the ball in his hands. Murphy can post up a little bit, but he’s way better operating in the short roll where he can show off his touch in the paint. He had some nifty behind-the-back dimes, and his ball skills jump off the tape. Murphy’s best basketball is so clearly right around the corner.
32. G Xaivian Lee
Transferring from: Princeton
Transferring to: Florida
The scout: Xaivian Lee is a 6-foot-4 lead guard who plays with terrific pace and anticipation in pick-and-rolls. Lee is one of the most potent off-the-dribble shot-makers in the sport. His stepback jumpers are automatic, and his smooth handle and acceleration helps him shed defenders and get into the paint at will to set the table for lobs, throwbacks or his own floaters. Lee was not afraid to put his face in the fan on the glass, and he notched multiple triple-doubles for Princeton. Lee only has one year of eligibility remaining, but he’ll fill it up for Florida.
33. G Xzayvier Brown
Transferring from: St. Joseph’s
Transferring to: Oklahoma
The scout: Xzayvier Brown is a tremendous lead guard who can play a variety of roles. He’s a strong decision-maker in the pick-and-roll, and he puts a ton of pressure on the rim. Oh, and Brown also has a knockdown jumper. He can be a multi-year starter for a high-major, and Oklahoma looks like a strong fit. Brown and Nijel Pack (more on him later) should smoothly mesh offensively.
34. G Desmond Claude
Transferring from: USC
The scout: Desmond Claude has nights when he looks like an All-American. The 6-foot-6 lead guard is an exceptional driver who is always trying to navigate into the paint. Claude was one of the elite isolation scorers in college basketball. When he gets to his pull-up jumper, it’s over for opposing defenders. Claude also drew a ton of fouls and put a ridiculous amount of pressure on the rim. Over half his shots came around the basket this season. Claude will take and make a ton of free throws, but he’s never been much of a threat from downtown (career 27% on 229 attempts). Claude will have a major market because he’s a jumbo creator who has played a ton of basketball at the high-major rank, but he’s probably best-suited as a second or third option for a championship contender.
35. SF Andrej Stojakovic
Transferring from: California
The scout: Andrej Stojakovic turned a major corner at Cal after a lost freshman season at Stanford. The 6-7 wing thrived as Mark Madsen’s alpha. Stojakovic was one of three players to average at least 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks, joining Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Auburn’s Johni Broome. Stojakovic showed a ton of promise in mid-post backdowns where he can matchup-hunt and find open shooters. Stojakovic is also a paint-touch machine. The strong, slick wing can navigate to the rim using both power and finesse. Stojakovic has never had a good rap defensively, but his Cal tape was an encouraging step in the right direction. He has All-League potential at his next spot.
36. C Pharrel Payne
Transferring from: Texas A&M
Transferring to: Maryland
The scout: Despite being rated as a four-star prospect in high school, Pharrel Payne was a bit of an unknown nationally when he signed with home state Minnesota. He led the Big Ten in field goal percentage as a freshman and has never finished lower than 7th in a conference during his three years in school. He is athletic, he runs the floor and he is a capable shot blocker. He’s among the most efficient big men in the country and ranked No. 5 overall in the SEC during his junior season at Texas A&M. All of the tools are in place to take a major leap as a senior.
37. F Derrion Reid
Transferring from: Alabama
The scout: Derrion Reid, a former five-star freshman, did not have the breakout year some expected at Alabama, partially due to multiple lingering injuries. The 6-8, 220-pound forward is still a coveted target because he can be one of the better defenders and rebounders in any high-major league next year. He’s shown promise as a jumbo playmaker who can be an awesome role player with room to grow into so much more.
38. F Michael Rataj
Transferring from: Oregon State
Transferring to: Baylor
The scout: Michael Rataj is a 6-foot-9 forward who can dribble, pass and shoot, which every team needs and very few have. Rataj broke out as a junior and had nights where he looked completely unstoppable. Rataj torched Gonzaga for 29 points, seven rebounds and two dimes in mid-January using a flurry of 3s, drives and tough finishes. Rataj looks positioned to be a huge addition for a Baylor frontcourt that lost Norchad Omier.
39. G Jaland Lowe
Transferring from: Pittsburgh
Transferring to: Kentucky
The scout: Only 15 players scored more points per game in ball-screens than Jaland Lowe. The sophomore guard had a huge year at Pitt, but his efficiency took a hit due to the heavy burden he was forced to carry. Lowe’s jumper can go a bit AWOL, at times, but he could see his efficiency rise if paired with another jumbo creator. Lowe shot over 35% on catch-and-shoot 3s as a true freshman next to lottery pick Bub Carrington. Regardless, Lowe, the driver, was terrifying for opposing defenses. Pitt couldn’t afford to play him off the ball, but good things happened when Lowe could attack long closeouts. He was routinely creating advantages for Pitt’s offense, and he’s a creative playmaker. Lowe’s usage rate will dip a little bit at Kentucky, but Mark Pope’s ability to elevate his personnel gives Lowe a chance to be one of the best guards in the SEC next season. He should also provide a real “get out of jail free” card for Kentucky’s offense in late-clock possessions.
40. C Owen Freeman
Transferring from: Iowa
Transferring to: Creighton
The scout: Owen Freeman is an outstanding low-post threat who can dice up solo coverage. Freeman carves out space well and shot over 70% at the rim. He’s still developing his perimeter game. Freeman is capable of stepping out to make the occasional 3-pointer, but adding more to his bag as a driver could unlock an even loftier offensive ceiling.
Freeman is headed to Creighton to step in for Bluejays legend Ryan Kalkbrenner. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Freeman flirted with 20 points a night in Greg McDermott’s gorgeous offense.
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