While the ACC in basketball isn't quite as dominant as the SEC in football, it would be hard to argue against the conference's position as the best in the nation. As currently constituted, the ACC boasts four of the last seven championships (Duke in 2010 and 2015, Louisville in 2013, and North Carolina in 2009). If the league had found a way to include Connecticut with the other Big East refugees, that number would have been six of the last seven. With this much power, it is no surprise that the ACC has attracted its fair share of transfers. We'll examine seven more in the last of our transfer reports.
Sean Obi, Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are getting close to Kentucky territory with their ability to recruit and reload. There will be no rebuilding even after winning the championship and losing the team's top five scorers (if we include Rasheed Sulaimon). Obi, a 6-foot-9 forward, spent one year at Rice and averaged 11.4 points and 9.3 rebounds to lead Conference USA. The native of Nigeria will have to compete for minutes in Duke's stocked roster, but he should be an impact rebounder at the very least.
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Damion Lee, Louisville CardinalsLike Duke, Louisville has a lot of roster turnover heading into the new season. The top four scorers are gone, but the Cardinal faithful should not fret: coach Rick Pitino continues to bring in players that fit his up-and-down system. Lee spent the last three seasons at Drexel and was fourth in the nation in scoring at 21.4 points last year. The 6-6 wing can score from the perimeter (38.5 percent on three-pointers) and is adept at getting to the line (7.2 free throws per game, 88.7 percent from the line). The competition level will be more difficult, but Lee should lead the Cardinals in scoring.
Kamari Murphy, Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have Tonye Jekiri in the post, so coach Jim Larranaga shouldn't worry too much. However, if the seven-footer's foul troubles continue in his senior season, the coach can call on Murphy to provide some power basketball. The 6-8 forward pulled down 6.3 rebounds to go along with 6.1 points in 2013-14 with Oklahoma State. Murphy will be playing with a pair of Big 12 transfers, Sheldon McClendon and Angel Rodriguez, so he should feel comfortable near South Beach.
Terry Henderson, North Carolina State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack are coming off another nice season: the team was able to get to the Sweet 16 with an upset win over Villanova. Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner left, so there is a nice spot in the backcourt next to Anthony Barber. Henderson, who transferred from West Virginia, should be able to slide right in and produce. In 2013-14, the 6-4 Raleigh native provided 11.7 points and hit 37.6 percent of his three-pointers. Henderson was arrested in January in an incident involving a pellet gun, so a small suspension may be in the offing.
Rafael Maia, forward, Pittsburgh Panthers
Maia has been on my radar for a few years because I drafted him as a center from Brown in one of my fantasy leagues. He was a three-year starter for the Bears and left as a graduate transfer for the big pond of the ACC. The 6-9 Brazilian forward averaged 9.9 points in a career-high 53.8 percent from the field with 8.7 rebounds last year. Maia is not a good free throw shooter (54.5 percent), so he has room to improve. He should fit into the frontcourt mix for the Panthers
Eli Carter, guard, Boston College Eagles
The Eagles have not been to the NCAA tournament since 2009 and have not won a tournament game since 1996. They are unlikely to break that trend in 2015-16, but they do have a decent replacement for Olivier Hanlan: the well-travelled Carter. The 6-2 guard started at Rutgers and provided a career-high 14.9 points as a freshman. He left amid the problems with coach Mike Rice and went to Florida, where he spent a pair of injury-riddled seasons coming off the Gator bench. He should get an opportunity to launch a high volume of shots as a senior with the Eagles.
Seth Allen, guard, Virginia Tech Hokies
Last week we looked at a number of former ACC players who jumped to Maryland. As evident with guard Seth Allen, those roles can easily be reversed. Allen, a 6-1 guard, left the Terps and headed back to the familiar ACC with Virginia Tech and coach Buzz Williams. Coming off a season with 13.4 points and 38 percent from long range in 2013-14, Allen had to sit out last season and watched the Hokies win just 11 games. Like Carter, Allen should lead his new team in scoring and could chip in a fair number of assists and steals.
Others to consider: Sterling Smith, Pittsburgh; Trey Lewis, Louisville; Nick Jacobs, Georgia Tech
