After the 2020 basketball season, all collegiate basketball players were given an extra year of eligibility, commonly referred to as the “COVID year”. This allowed many athletes to graduate from their school and use the extra year to play somewhere while pursuing a Master's degree. Many of these players had great careers at smaller schools, and are moving on to bigger opportunities. Here are some of the top graduate transfers in men's basketball who are using their last year to play at a new school. 

1. Chris Ledlum 

Former School: Harvard

New School: Tennessee 

Chris Ledlum was one of the top players in the Ivy League. Standing at 6'6” and 225 pounds, he led Harvard with 18.6 points per game and was a unanimous First Team All-Ivy Selection. He will be taking his talents to the University of Tennessee where his physical and rugged playstyle fits their game plan perfectly.  

Related: Rate The University of Tennessee

2. Jordan Minor

Former School: Merrimack 

New School: Virginia 

Jordan Minor was arguably the top player in the Northeast Conference from a Merrimack team that just transitioned from DII to DI. Standing at 6'8”, Minor was a presence down low averaging 17.4 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. He will be playing at the University of Virginia for his final year–a team in need of low post-scoring and defense after the loss of Kadin Shedrick. 

Related: Rate University of Virginia 

3. Greg Dolan 

Former School: Cornell 

New School: Loyola Chicago 

Another product of the Ivy League, Greg Dolan had a very solid senior year at Cornell. Dolan averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 43% from 3-point range. Dolan will be spending his final year of eligibility at Loyola-Chicago, known for their infamous tournament run a few years back. They will be looking to reload after a rough first season in the A-10 conference. 

Related: Rate Loyola University-Chicago

4. Bryce Butler 

Former School: West Liberty (DII) 

New School: College of Charleston 

Bryce Butler was one of the top players in all of Division II last season, racking up every accolade you can imagine even though West Liberty came up short in the national championship game against undefeated Nova Southeastern University. Butler will be playing at The College of Charleston next year to show that he can play with anyone in the country and continue the last leg of his decorated career. 

Related: Rate College of Charleston  

5. Joel Scott 

Former School: Black Hills State (DII) 

New School: Colorado State 

Scott was the National Division II Player of the Year, so it is no surprise that he had many Division I suitors. Scott averaged 23 points per game and 9.6 rebounds in Black Hills State's second straight year making it to the tournament. He will be attending Colorado State University, where he'll be an immediate impact player for the Rams. 

Related: Rate Colorado State 

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Image Credit: Harvard Athletics/Merrimack Athletics/Cornell Athletics

* Originally published on May 24, 2023, by Katie Lever, Ph. D