College basketball has seen an increasing amount of transfer players as time goes on. This year, several notable players have decided to transfer, and could impact their new teams in a pretty big way. There are many reasons college players transfer. Many players are looking for more playing time, others have issues with the coach they play for. Others yet are looking for a status upgrade, coming from a small unknown school to move to a powerful NCAA tournament mainstay. Below, I've categorized each transfer by power conference vs. non-power conference, and where they are transferring to, and the notable ones have notes by them. This article lays out who you need to know about that has already picked a new destination to finish their college career. The players are listed by section in alphabetical order. Note: This list does not include any non-power conference to non-power conference transfers in the interest of time.
*** Italicized names indicate already-granted immediate eligibility
Power Conference to Power Conference
Spike Albrecht (Michigan, Purdue) --You may remember Albrecht as the blonde freshman firecracker that helped lead Michigan to the championship with Trey Burke. Albrecht is now a graduate transfer to Purdue. He underwent two offseason hip surgeries in 2015, and wasn't able to return. At one point, he announced that his collegiate basketball career would be over, but now he's back. Although his hips are relatively untested, Albrecht could be the distributor that the massive Purdue frontcourt of Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas need to make Big Ten conference and NCAA title runs.
Larry Austin Jr. (Xavier, Vanderbilt)
Marvin Clark Jr. (Michigan State, St. John's) -- Clark was a victim of the astounding freshman class that's about to come in for Michigan State in 2016-17. The sophomore decided it would be best to continue his career elsewhere. Clark averaged 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10 minutes per game, but has potential to make an impact at St. John's with his accurate shooting. Clark had 54 percent accuracy from the field, as well as 42 percent three-point accuracy. When he's able to play, he should be able to help St. John's out as either a shooting guard or small forward.
Daniel Giddens (Ohio State, Alabama)
Jalen Hudson (Virginia Tech, Florida) -- In his sophomore year with the Virginia Tech, Hudson averaged 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 20 minutes per game, on 40 percent field goal accuracy, and 35 percent three-point accuracy. Hudson will have to sit out a year due to transfer rules, but will have two years of eligibility remaining. The former Hokie improved his range during his second year, and could be a big asset for Florida.
Kaleb Joseph (Syracuse, Creighton)
Marcus Lee (Kentucky, California) -- The former Kentucky big man decided to transfer to Cal for his final year of eligibility upon removing his name from the 2016 NBA Draft. Lee averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 22 minutes a game during his junior season with Kentucky, and notably made his shots from the field 68 percent of the time. Lee will fill the void left by Jaylen Brown, who is expected to be a lottery pick in this year's draft. Lee was developed slowly behind the many stars Kentucky produces, but with more playing time (and a year of sitting out to develop into the team's style of play), he has potential to become a dangerous rim protector and down-low threat for the Golden Bears.
James Palmer (Miami, Nebraska)
Satchel Pierce (Virginia Tech, Penn State) -- Penn State added the seven-footer to add to their front court, after losing all of their key frontcourt players to graduation. He will of course have to sit out for one year before using his remaining eligibility, but he could add a nice post-passing threat inside.
Katin Reinhardt (USC, Marquette) -- Marquette will be the third destination for Reinhardt during his collegiate career. At USC, he showed ability to be an impact player in a power conference. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Marquette's depth chart last season was packed with shooting guards, including JaJuan Johnson, Duane Wilson, and Wally Ellenson, but given his experience and size, he could make an impact immediately as either a small forward or guard.
Justin Simon (Arizona, St. John's)
Non-power Conference to Power Conference
Austin Arians (Milwaukee, Wake Forest) -- Arians is Wake Forest's immediate replacement for Cornelius Hudson who, as was previously mentioned, was kicked off of the team. Arians is a bit of an upgrade in regards to shot selection and range from Hudson. He averaged 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 35 percent three-point accuracy. He will be immediately eligible, but will need to transition to playing against the higher competition of the ACC in order to increase Wake Forest's abilities.
Canyon Barry (Charleston, Florida) -- Barry tore up the CAA at Charleston, for a team-high average of 19.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 32 minutes per game, before sustaining a shoulder injury that ended his junior season with Charleston. He's proven to be a great scorer, even against tougher competition and should make an immediate impact at Florida, and may even earn a starting spot.
Darrell Bowie (Northern Illinois, Iowa State)
Ben Carter (UNLV, Michigan State)
Corbin Collins (Morehead State, Alabama) -- Collins was Morehead State's highest scoring player in 2015-16, with averages of 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-3 guard adds a decent deep-shooter (43% 3PT FG) to Alabama's backcourt depth, and will be immediately eligible.
Lew Evans (Utah State, Tennessee)
L.G. Gill (Duquesne, Maryland) -- Gill averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 30 minutes per game with the Dukes during his junior season. The 6-foot-7 forward will help fill space in Maryland's frontcourt created by the departures of Diamond Stone, Robert Carter Jr., and Jake Layman.
John Gillon (Colorado State, Syracuse) -- Jim Boeheim made it clear when the season ended that the Orange would try to fill the spaces in their backcourt by adding a transfer. Gillon is expected to be a contender for Syracuse's starting point guard position next season. He averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 32 minutes per game during his junior season at Colorado State.
J.C. Hampton (Lipscomb, Texas A&M) -- This six-foot guard was Lipscomb's highest scoring player in the 2015-16 season, averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 33 minutes per game, with 40 percent accuracy from the field. Hampton will have to make the jump to competing with bigger, tougher SEC players, but he should be able to help out the Aggies backcourt for his final year of eligibility.
Chris Harrison-Docks (Western Kentucky, DePaul)
Tony Hicks (Penn, Louisville) --The former Penn guard averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 28 minutes per game in 2014-15. He sat out in 2015-16 to "take a break" from basketball. He could have an impact for Louisville if he can shake off the rust from not playing for a year.
Kory Holden (Delaware, South Carolina) -- Holden was one of the most highly sought after transfers this offseason, after playing a stellar two years at Delaware. The 6-foot-2 point guard averaged 17.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 36 minutes per game in his sophomore season. He'll have to sit out a year before taking the SEC by storm, but that could help him develop better to the higher competition.
Merrill Holden (Louisiana Tech, Iowa State)
Ronnie Johnson (Houston, Auburn)
Paul Jorgenson (George Washington, Butler)
Evan Maxwell (Liberty, Kansas) -- The 6-foot-10 center was Liberty's second highest scoring player with 10.0 points per game on 64 percent from the field. He'll add to the depth of Kansas' frontcourt in 2017-18.
Grant Mullins (Columbia, California) -- Mullins, an immediately eligible graduate transfer, was the Lions' third-highest scorer and top facilitator, averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 31 minutes per game. He is a lanky 6-foot-3, and is a 44 percent shooter from beyond the arc. He is an immediate answer to the loss of Tyrone Wallace, who was the team's leader in points, assists and steals in 2016.
DeSean Murray (Presbyterian, Auburn) -- This 6-foot-5 small forward is one of the best scorers in college basketball. As a sophomore, he averaged 20.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 29 minutes per game. He's proven that he can still score high despite facing mostly inferior competition against tougher opponents, such as Clemson and Marquette. He's a good addition to Auburn, as they just lost their starting small forward to graduation. He should be a prime candidate for a starting spot.
Cullen Neal (New Mexico, Ole Miss)
Dominik Olejniczak (Drake, Ole Miss)
Dylan Osetkowski (Tulane, Texas)
Rodney Pryor (Robert Morris, Georgetown)
David Skara (Valparaiso, Clemson)
Dylan Smith (UNC Asheville, Arizona) -- With averages of 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, Smith led his small school to an NCAA tournament berth. Smith is a 35 percent shooter from behind the arc, and showed that he was still able to score despite facing tougher competition in the NCAA tournament. He should add to the depth of the Arizona roster nicely.
LaRon Smith (Bethune Cookman, Auburn)
Akeem Springs (Milwaukee, Minnesota)
Dwayne Sutton (UNC Asheville, Louisville) -- Sutton was the second leading scorer, and leading rebounder for the Bulldogs as a freshman. Like Smith, he too is leaving for a bigger school, but he'll likely have to compete with several other players for playing time in Rick Pitino's frontcourt.
Connor Tava (Western Michigan, Boston College)
Avery Woodson (Memphis, Butler)
Power Conference to Non-Power Conference
Noah Allen (UCLA, Hawaii)
Jordan Ashton (Iowa State, Northern Iowa)
Dillon Avare (Louisville, Eastern Kentucky)
Robbie Berwick (Florida State, Colorado State)
Javon Bess (Michigan State, Saint Louis)
Terry Brutus (Ole Miss, Samford)
Darion Clark (USC, Grand Canyon)
Hallice Cooke (Iowa State, Nevada)
Jackson Davis (Butler, Eastern Kentucky)
Aubrey Dawkins (Michigan, Central Florida)
Talbott Denny (Lipscomb, Arizona)
Idy Diallo (Boston College, UC Riverside)
Ricky Doyle (Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast)
JT Escobar (Ole Miss, North Florida)
Andrew Fleming (Iowa, Chattanooga)
Tre'Shaun Fletcher (Colorado, Toledo)
D.J. Foreman (Rutgers, St. Louis)
Savon Goodman (Arizona State, La Salle)
Jamal Gregory (South Carolina, Chipola College)
Lorenzo Jenkins (Arkansas, Colorado State)
Michael Kessens (Alabama, FIU)
Mike LaTulip (Illinois, Wright State)
Makinde London (Xavier, Chattanooga)
Caleb Martin (NC State, Nevada), Cody Martin (NC State, Nevada) -- The Martin twins came as a package deal to Nevada. Both are interesting prospects, with Caleb averaging 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Cody averages 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Caleb's a good scorer, while Cody is the better facilitator. The Martins are just a few of head coach Eric Musselman's talented acquisitions this offseason.
Malik Martin (USC, South Florida)
Matt Milon (Boston College, William and Mary) -- As a freshman at Boston College, Milon averaged 5.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game. He boasts a 49 percent accuracy rate from behind the arc, and a 46 percent field goal rate. He has a pretty good shot selection, and despite being on a pretty bad ACC team, still faced tough ACC competition and was able to compete.
Mickey Mitchell (Ohio State, UC Santa Barbara)
Alex O'Neill (Creighton, St. Cloud State)
Austin Montgomery (Utah, Dixie State)
Harrison Niego (Indiana, Hillsdale)
Chinonso Obokoh (Syracuse, St. Bonaventure)
Chris Reyes (Utah, Pepperdine)
Samir Sehic (Vanderbilt, Tulane)
Andre Spight (Arizona State, Northern Colorado)
Kendall Stephens (Purdue, Nevada)
Marlon Stewart (Creighton, North Dakota)
DeVon Walker (Florida, Troy)
Andre Washington (Wake Forest, East Carolina)
Rondale Watson (Wake Forest, Marshall)
Christian White (Syracuse, Pace)
Jimmy Whitt (Arkansas, SMU)
Isaiah Wright (Utah, San Diego)
Non-power Conference to Non-power Conference
Cane Broome (Sacred Heart, Cincinnati) -- Being just six feet tall didn't stop this guard from averaging 23.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He'll likely sit out a year, but this kid could help lead Cincinnati back to an NCAA berth.
