Top 9 transfers for the 2018-19 season
Transferring to another school year in and year out has become the norm for high school basketball players.
They are thinking just like the players at the collegiate level: What school plays in a system that fits my skillset? What school plays stout competition every night? Which coach can help me get to the next level?
Transfers were only the norm in college basketball, but now that trend has trickled down to the high school level. It can be considered a good thing and a bad thing. The good can be a player seeing a bigger opportunity at a new school versus sitting on the bench at his previous school. Some kids, if not most, are looking at which schools are drawing college coaches. That’s a plus because it gives a kid the chance to attract college coaches so he can land an offer down the road.
The bad could be the kid not getting to live the life of a teenager because he’s always packing his stuff to move to another school. He won’t have the chance to get attached to a group of friends. He will have to make a new group of friends every year. These things are important when you’re young but if you’re a talented high school basketball player, you may have to push these things aside for your future.
These are the pros and cons I was able to come up with. There could be more. People can either accept the new trend or just look the other direction because it’s going to continue.
With that being said, I narrowed a list down to nine players that will have a big impact on their team’s success this upcoming season.
Here’s the list:
Antavion Collum (Tennessee Preparatory Academy to Bartlett) – Senior forward Antavion Collum became the top free agent over the summer once news broke he wasn’t returning to Tennessee Prep Academy for his senior season. Collum is a versatile forward, with excellent scoring abilities.
With Collum spending his last year of high school at Bartlett, it gives the Panthers a chance to have a deep playoff run. Bartlett is already loaded with Jalen Cincore, Tyler Carpenter, Rodney Mason Jr., Takori Brooks, Earl Whitby, and Jaylin Lucas.
Johnathan Lawson (Memphis East to Wooddale) – Johnathan Lawson is only a sophomore but is one of the best versatile forwards in the 2021 class. He played a solid role last season in helping Memphis East High School win back-to-back state titles. He’s expected to blossom into a bigger role at Wooddale under his father, Keelon Lawson. Johnathan Lawson weighs only 165 pounds. He will need to put on more muscle as time moves along.
Tyrus Baynham Jr. (Franklin Road Academy to Athens Prep) – The senior forward looks to make a big splash at his new school. The 6-foot-4 ½ small forward is hopeful playing against national competition will help his stock. Baynham has the size and offensive skills to attract more college coaches before he graduates.
Keishawn Davidson (Oakland High School to Athens Prep) – Keishawn Davidson gives Athens Prep another solid scoring option. The 6-2 point guard averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season.
James Franklin Jr. (Seigel High School to Athens Prep) – Franklin is a 6-4 wing that can space the floor and make shots from different areas of the court.
Avishai Lowery (Pope John Paul II High School to Athens Prep) – Lowery is a 5-11 point guard with solid court vision. He’s expected to see the floor a lot this upcoming season.
Delvin White (Hamilton to Briarcrest Christian) – White will play alongside 2021 point guard Kennedy Chandler this upcoming season. Chandler can score but he can find the open man. White is a lengthy wing that loves to drive to the basket. He can thrive under Chandler’s leadership as the floor general.
Dionte Anding (Germantown to Southwind) – Anding is the combo guard Southwind can use this upcoming season since Mark Freeman is gone. He’s only 5-10 but his speed makes up for it. He was one of the Red Devils top scorers from last season.
Kenneth Lewis (Lake Cormorant to Center Hill) – Lewis, 6-2, may not take the starting job at point guard away from Calvin Temple but he can be a great backup or sidekick. He averaged 18.2 points per game last season. Lewis scored 18 and 24 points, respectively, on the Mustangs last year.