Drafting a Team of the Best True Mid-Major Newcomers

Today we’re diving into some of the best true mid-major newcomers—whether through the D1 and D2 transfer portal, JUCO, or international routes. We’ll also draft a team that fits and see how it grades out in the model. After tracking transfer classes for the past four years, one thing has become increasingly clear: the quality of talent filtering down to the mid-major level has changed significantly. Pre-NIL, and even in the early stages of its implementation, there was still room for smaller programs to land proven high-major talent. You would see established players like a Jake Stephens stay with their coach or move down, but now, with NIL dollars flooding the market, the dynamics have shifted dramatically.

Take BYU, for example, reportedly spending $400,000 on a 9-point-per-game shooter with a sub-10 PER from Idaho. That kind of spending has redefined the marketplace, and it’s no surprise that many of the better true mid-majors are getting priced out of the top tier of the portal. Perhaps next year if the revenue sharing is enforce it will get better. Still, this year as Dr. Ian Malcolm once said, “Life finds a way.” And some mid-major coaches? They’re finding a way too.

This offseason, I was genuinely impressed by what some of these little guy programs were able to do adding newcomers that were on the move (transfers D2, JUCO and Internationals) despite apparent limited resources and finding the undervalued players. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most impressive transfer gets from true mid and low-major programs.

To be clear, we’re not talking about well-funded mid-majors like Gonzaga, Memphis, Dayton, or Grand Canyon. We’re also excluding high-resource schools from the Mountain West and the American—programs like Wichita State and USF that can compete financially. Instead, we’re focusing on schools with athletic budgets typically ranked 100th and lower, teams with likely modest NIL pools, lower coaching salaries, and little national visibility. That cuts out most of the top 10 conferences. Typically P5 plus the Pac 12, MWC, A10, WCC, and American will all be excluded in this exercise.

We’re prioritizing team fit, shooting, and roster balance, while also highlighting some of the best true mid-major additions. We’ll draft a top 8 players because I think that’s the most you would spend your money on. I would even try to condense that into the top 5 and find back ups on the margins but this might be a level you could fund 8.

Here is our 20 player, player Pool and well draft our 8 player team/rotation at the end.

Let’s dive in.

🏀 Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry – Sacramento State’s Big-Time Get

At 6’11” and 280 pounds, Jeremiah Cherry isn’t just a big man—he’s a mountain in the middle. Sacramento State quietly landed one of the best mid-major transfers in the country, and somehow no one seems to be talking about it.

Cherry anchored a UNLV defense that finished 59th nationally in efficiency while playing in the 6th-best conference in the country by a wide margin. In just 24 minutes per game, he averaged 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, while posting a 62% field goal percentage and a 20 PER. Translate that out per possession, and the numbers pop: nearly 4 blocks per 100 possessions and a true shooting mark of .624, elite efficiency for a frontcourt player.

What makes Cherry stand out is the scarcity of players like him. While Power 5 programs are scrambling late to add lesser bigs, Sac State landed a proven Mountain West center who projects as the 248th-best player nationally in advanced rankings. Defensively, he posted a 102.8 DRtg—legit anchor material. Offensively, his 114.7 ORtg shows he doesn’t need to be force-fed to make an impact.

For head coach Mike Bibby this is a signing that shifts expectations. Cherry’s presence alone elevates the Hornets’ ceiling. In a mid-major landscape dominated by guards, they’ve landed a rare commodity: a true rim protector and rebounder who’s already thrived at a high-major level. Is it possible there was some self NIL between he and GM Shaq, sure, but nationally Cherry is clearly undervalued regardless from what I’ve seen.

Simply put: Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry is one of the most underrated big-time signings of the offseason.

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🏀 Jemel Jones – New Mexico State’s Walking Bucket

If Cherry is about size and defense, Jemel Jones is about firepower. The 6’4” guard might be the most slept-on scorer in the country. He ranked 4th nationally in points per 100 possessions last season—dropping buckets at will despite playing in a system that could charitably be described as outdated.

Jones put up 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in just 27 minutes per game, good for a 25.6 PER. In conference play, the stretch that matters most, he was even better: 20.9 points, 4.0 boards, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal in the 12th-ranked conference. His efficiency held strong at .559 true shooting, remarkable considering defenses keyed entirely on him. despite zero spacing or secondary scoring options in an antiquated system with the worst 3 point offense and space to work in the nation (364th). Jones currently projects as the 275th-best player nationally in our model. It’s not just scoring, he’s very productive per possessions rebounding and assisting as well for his position.

The kicker? During that 20-game conference run, Jones posted a 34.5 PER, which would rank alongside the best single-season runs in modern college history. For perspective: Zion’s all-time best was 40. Steph Curry and Damian Lillard’s peak mid-major PERs were 36 and 34. Jones was right there. .

🏀 Roman Domon – Murray State

6’9, 225 | 6.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 12 PER
Murray State adds an international gem in Roman Domon, who spent last season in France’s top league, logging 17 MPG against pro competition. While his numbers are modest, statistical translations put him on a similar tier to Jemel Jones, and his performance at a young age in the same league as Wembanyama. Ranked 292nd in our stats translation model, Domon could be a difference-making forward if he adapts smoothly to the American game and would give the hypothetical team three top 300 players. He also shoots a decent volume of three’s although not at a great percentage (26%). That you would like to see higher.

🏀 Aidan Mahaney – UCSB

Aidan Mahaney is a versatile guard with the size and skill set to operate comfortably as a bigger point guard. At 6’3”, he was miscast as an inefficient scorer during his time at Saint Mary’s and struggled to find his rhythm at UConn, where he was largely outclassed. However, his experience handling the ball—logging nearly 500 of his 700 career possessions at point guard—shows his potential as an on-ball creator. In a system like the Big West or another true mid-major, Alex thrives in a more measured role, taking fewer shots and focusing on playmaking. Averaging his career numbers, he grades out roughly as a top-275 player nationally, making him a reliable contributor in a 4th- or 5th-option capacity while providing teams with size, vision, and floor leadership at the point.

🏀 Cam’Ron Fletcher – High Point

Cam’Ron Fletcher arrives at High Point as a proven talent with upside, though health has been the main obstacle throughout his career. The former Florida State forward once averaged 11 points and 8 rebounds efficiently, flashing the ability to impact games on both ends. While injuries have limited his availability since then, he has remained productive in the minutes he could play before being shut down each season. At 6’7”, 220 pounds, Fletcher has the size and strength to thrive as a modern stretch four, and his nearly 35% career three-point shooting (44 makes) adds valuable floor spacing. If he can stay healthy, he’s a high-upside swing well worth the risk for High Point.

🏀 Alex Chaikin – UC San Diego

6’5 | 13.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 48% 3PT, 67% TS, 20 PER
UCSB landed a sharpshooter in Alex Chaikin, who ranked 2nd nationally in three-point percentage as a freshman at Lafayette. At 6’5, he should get his shot off against longer defenders and combines elite efficiency with foul drawing (3 FTA/G). A top-15 national true-shooting as a freshman guard is impressive regardless, Chaikin’s scoring skillset should translate immediately a level higher up, giving UCSB a floor-stretching weapon. It’s shocking he didn’t get interest or end up at an even higher level. 

🏀 CJ Luster – UNCW

6’3 | 17 PPG, 42% 3PT, 102 3PM, 21 PER
UNCW added scoring guard CJ Luster, who averaged 17 points and shot 42% from three, knocking down 102 threes last season. At 6’3, he brings portable shooting and efficiency (21 PER), making him a plug-and-play floor-spreader capable of elevating UNCW’s offense and conference ceiling. I always appreciate shooting and he’s another one of the proven best.

🏀 Isaac Finlinson – Hawaii

6’8 | 19 PPG, 6 RPG, 39% 3PT, 78% FT, 63% True Shooting
Hawaii landed JUCO National Player of the Year Isaac Finlinson, a 6’8 wing from the nation’s top JUCO program this year. He pairs size with elite efficiency, averaging 19 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 39% from three and 78% from the line. Finlinson provides floor spacing and defensive versatility, making him a plug-and-play scorer who can make an immediate impact in the Big West.

🏀 Connor Hickman – Charleston

Connor Hickman was outstanding in his final year at Bradley, showing the skill and poise of a potential top option. His transfer to Cincinnati, however, was a tough fit, and he struggled to replicate that success. Still, there’s plenty of reason to believe in his bounce-back potential at Charleston. For his career, Hickman has been a 36% three-point shooter, highlighted by a near-40% season at Bradley that graded out highly—though it may have been more the exception than the rule. If he can regain that form, Charleston is getting a proven scorer with legitimate upside as a go-to guard in the CAA.

🏀 Carson Johnson – Denver

Denver’s Carson Johnson from top 5 D2 team Minnesota State–Moorhead bringing scoring punch from a guard. He rates out as the 2nd best statistical D2 player transferring up in our model. Averaging 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game at 42% from three on 3 makes a game in D2. Johnson can not only shoot but also create for teammates. The creation is a little lower than you would like however, but there aren’t a lot of other good options. His high-volume scoring paired with playmaking versatility gives him the tools to be a primary option on offense. Expect Johnson to bring offensive creativity to a team looking to stretch the floor and generate efficient offense.

🏀 Vladimer Salaridze – Youngstown State

6’7, 225 | 11 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, 36% 3PT, 20 PER
Salaridze is a rugged, versatile forward . At Tennessee Marting, he averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 26 minutes, hitting 36% from three (1.1 makes a game). His all-around game—passing, rebounding, and floor-spacing—makes him a perfect complement role player in the frontcourt and a key rotational piece.

🏀 Isaiah Dorceus – Milwakee

6’0 | 14.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 47% FG, 39.5% 3PT, 75% FT
Dorceus, a First Team NJCAA D1 All-American, ran the offense for the 6th-ranked JUCO program, earning Citrus Conference Player of the Year. Efficient and versatile, he can score, create, and manage a team, making him a high-upside mid-major floor general capable of an immediate impact.

🏀 AJ Dancler – Coastal Carolina

6’2 | 15.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 40% 3PT
Dancler transfers from Le Moyne bringing size and shooting to the point guard spot. At 6’2, he offers a rare mix of height and floor-spacing for a PG, averaging 15 points and 40% from three, though creation remains a question in translation to a mid-major level.

🏀 Tyren Moore – Georgia Southern

5’11 | 17.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 24 PER
Moore returns to form at Georgia Southern after a quiet year at UAB, previously showing proven scoring and playmaking as a 5’11 point guard. His efficiency and production make him the most established PG option despite some recent inconsistency. That inconsistency scares me however.

🏀 Caleb Van De Griend – Idaho State

Caleb Van De Griend brings a dominant presence to Idaho State, putting up 21 points and 13 rebounds per game for a 21st-ranked D2 team. As a big man, Van De Griend can score inside, stretch the floor, and rebound at a high rate, making him a force on both ends. His production at Idaho State demonstrates he can carry a team’s frontcourt load, and he projects as a high-usage post option who can immediately impact wins at the mid-major level.

🏀 Patrick Wessler – UNCW

UNCW adds a forward in Patrick Wessler who combines size with defensive versatility. Coming from Virginia Tech, Wessler can contribute as a rebounder and rim protector while showing  we need a back up center, he shoted flashes off productivity with a 19.4 PER and .64% true shotoing as a back up big on Virginia Tech at 7-0. The only Cavaet was it was a bad team at 164th and he still only saw the court 10 minutes a game. The prodcutions is great however. .

🏀 Quinton Mincey – Campbell

6’6 | 16.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 39% 3PT
Campbell adds a high-upside wing in Mincey, who combines scoring, rebounding, and secondary playmaking. His size and 39% three-point shooting give him the ability to stretch the floor and create offense, making him a potential difference-maker—pending eligibility—for a mid-major team. Do we want to take the risk however.

🏀 Billy Smith – Chattanooga

6’7 | 14.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 39% 3PT
Smith brings size, shooting, and playmaking, averaging 14 points and hitting 39% of threes on 2.6 makes per game. Watching video he had some solid ballhandling ability for a player this size.  Rebounding is a weakness at 2.8 RPG, but his scoring and floor-spacing make him a valuable wing but he can’t contribute more on the boards.

Dylan Faulkner technically transferred; however, it was to follow his coach. I don’t think he was realistically on the market or would have been if his coach had stayed. We will exclude him, although he would have made the hypothetical team otherwise.

C	Jeremiah Cherry	6-11	280	Sacramento State	Crushed on a top 100 UNLV, and anchored a top 60 defense. 4 blocks per 100 possessions.
PF	Cam’Ron Fletcher	6-7	220	High Point	Averaged 11ppg 8rpg and shot 34% from three for Florida State
SF	Isaac Finlinson	6-8	190	Hawaii	JUCO National Player of the Year averaging 19 and 6 on the top team.
SG	Jemel Jones	6-4	190	New Mexico State	4th in the nation in Points per Possession, and did it effiecently
PG	Aidan Mahaney	6-3	180	UCSB	Played nearly 500 of 700 possessions at Point for UConn. I like him in that role
C	Roman Domon	6-9	225	Murray State	averaged 6ppg 3rpg in Jeep Elite the top pro league in France.
G	Alex Chaikin	6-5	170	UCSD	2nd in the nation in 3 point percentage at 48% making over 100 as a freshman.
G	AJ Dancler	6-2	175	Coastal Carolina	Combo guard with size at 6-2 and some passing ability 3.4 assist, 40% from three.

It’s time to draft the 8-player rotation from our pool. These are the guys I’d actually fit and spend minutes on—balanced, versatile, and ready to contribute. This isn’t always the highest level players or potential Let’s break down the lineup and see how it all fits together.

This roster would grade out to roughly the 65th-best talent in my model and features a lot of size and shooting. This includes 4 players ranked in the top 300 in our statistical model. We could have juiced the ratings even more by adding someone like Wessler, but this lineup was built with fit in mind, prioritizing shooting and spacing—something a smart coach could leverage to make up the difference by being more than the sum of it’s parts. Team synergy so to speak. There are several Power conference and many on the major conference tier I would take this roster over. Seton Hall, Boston College, Rutgers, Stanford for example.