New Faces in New Places: Underrated Transfers to Watch in 26/27

With every new season comes a wave of transfers ready to make an impact for a new team. These transfers need to be talked about more, because there's a good chance they will be breakout stars with a new squad.    Stuttgart is heading into life without Brooklyn Owens, who was their superstar, averaging 24.9 points per game last season. Now, the Lady Ricebirds will have a new bucket-getter who will be the clear #1 option in 2026/27.   Thornton was an unstoppable scorer at ESTEM. She had several great performances throughout her final season with the Lady Mets, including 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists against Parkview. She recorded a double-double of 12 points, 15 boards, and 2 steals in a win in December.   This rising senior is an excellent slasher who can get to the rim anytime she wants. But she's also a great 3-point shooter who can knock down shots off the dribble and the catch, against any defender.   Stuttgart is going to rely heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='1092584' first='Morgan' last='Thornton'] this coming season, and with offers like Jackson State, Dyersburg State, and Pitt-Bradford on her resume, I think she will step up to the challenge nicely.     For teams that play Pulaski Academy this coming season, they're going to be in for a doozy as they add [player_tooltip player_id='1262501' first='Stella' last='DeSalvo'], who is transferring from Mount St. Mary's, just across town.   DeSalvo stood out as a freshman with the Belles, thanks to her impactful scoring from both inside and out. She is a solid 3-point shooter, but if defenses offer her just a bit of space, she can take advantage and score in the lane.   The rising sophomore has shown some ability as a playmaker as well. She has a good handle and can get around her defender, draw the defense, and then make the right pass to an open teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1262501' first='Stella' last='DeSalvo'] has a bright future ahead of her, and joining the Lady Bruins, a contending superpower, will be a devastating move for anyone who dares challenge this team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1318292' first='Paige' last='Hart'] had a solid freshman campaign with CAC, establishing herself as a solid two-way player who can hurt teams with her athleticism, especially in the open court. Now, she heads to a 5A squad that superseded a lot of expectations last year.   Hart played well last season, but she has really been impressive this summer, hooping with the ISO Joe AAU squad and showing out during team camps with her new team. This is not at all surprising.   As I alluded to earlier, this wing can make plays in transition, as she can beat teams down the floor and score without any issues over or through defenders. From the perimeter, she makes defenses weep, as she is consistent at knocking down triples off the catch. On the other end of the floor, she will secure rebounds and poke passes away, leading to runouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1318292' first='Paige' last='Hart'] will fit in seamlessly with Sylvan Hills, and based on the buzz she's been getting this offseason, it appears that she has already found a place in her new home.     [player_tooltip player_id='1229188' first='Addyson' last='Grimmett'] was mostly a reserve with Sheridan last season, but she showed plenty of promise as a scorer and playmaker. Now with Poyen, her role may be even more important.   Poyen has a high-powered offense that is top-heavy, as it is led by superstar Kenady Barrett. Usually, defenses will try to cut off the head of the snake that is Poyen, but rarely does that work. On the rare occasions where that philosophy shows promise, the rest of the team needs to step up. With Grimmett coming in, no matter what happens to the top scoring options, defenses will have to gameplan for this newcomer.   The more I watch Grimmett during team camps and in offseason workouts, the more I see a Chris Paul- or Hailey Van Lith-esque game. She is surgical in the way that she operates in the mid-range area. She takes good shots off the bounce, and even with a hand in her face, it's through the nets. But with her, it's not just scoring, as Grimmett finds open teammates, especially off the pick-n-roll.   I may have gone way too in-depth with that analysis, but [player_tooltip player_id='1229188' first='Addyson' last='Grimmett'] has plenty of skill, and I can see Poyen succeeding with her, making all of the right decisions for her teammates.     [player_tooltip player_id='1260298' first='Sasha' last='Burel'] didn't play as much as everyone would have liked to have seen during her freshman campaign with Maumelle due to injury, but now with Little Rock Central, the 6A Central just got even tougher.   Burel may have played in a handful of games last year, but she was still a starting point guard in the 5A classification as a freshman. Despite her age, she is more mature as a playmaker than a lot of senior point guards. She is a wizard when it comes to finding open teammates, and even though she adds some flair to some of her passes, they are perfect strikes.   The young guard is an impressive scorer. She attacks the teeth of the defense in the paint, especially in transition, and she showed off her toughness this way all season. Burel is also a solid 3-point shooter who can knock down shots efficiently off the bounce thanks to her quick release.   I covered a lot of Little Rock Central basketball two years ago, and Burel may be their best point guard since Chloey-Rei Brown, who is now hooping in college. With [player_tooltip player_id='1260298' first='Sasha' last='Burel'] at the helm, there is no way Central is not a contender this coming year.

With every new season comes a wave of transfers ready to make an impact for a new team. These transfers need to be talked about more, because there's a good chance they will be breakout stars with a new squad.