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Big Ten: 5 Transfers Making An Immediate Impact In 2016-17

By Casey Pazzalia

Nov 25, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Akeem Springs (0) dribbles in the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis guard Leo Vincent (5) at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Akeem Springs (0) dribbles in the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis guard Leo Vincent (5) at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Nigel Johnson (0) drives to the basket past Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Nigel Johnson (0) drives to the basket past Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nigel Johnson, Rutgers (from Kansas State)

Nigel Johnson has easily been the most productive of all the incoming transfer players this season. Making the transition from the Big 12 to the Big Ten, Johnson has grown from role player to bona fide star.

With Kansas State, he was used sparingly and only averaged 4.6 points in 62 career games. Since coming to Rutgers, he has transformed into the No.1 offensive option and is leading the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game.

With the team’s new dedication to rebounding and defense, Johnson has posted career highs in rebounds (4.4) and steals per game (1.6).

The most surprising part of Johnson’s 2016-17 triumph is that he is doing almost all of it in a reserve role, starting just one game so far. He is the Lou Williams of Big Ten basketball, a bench player who gets up more shots than most of the starters.

The Scarlet Knights have turned around their once stagnant program, starting the season 10-1 while finally looking like they belong in the Big Ten. With a solid core back from last year’s team, it has been their incoming transfers that really put them over the top.

In addition to C.J. Gettys and Johnson, Rutgers also has a junior-college transfer that is playing well. Junior DeShawn Freeman was with the Scarlet Knights last year, but only played in eight games. This season, the junior-college transfer is averaging 13.0 points and 8.8 rebounds a game.

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Rutgers will open up Big Ten play Dec. 27 at Wisconsin.