With it being mid-July, it comes as no surprise that the pickings are extremely slim on the transfer market. Under normal circumstances most rosters would be finalized by this point in the calendar, with teams having begun their preparations for the next season. But there’s no need for a reminder that 2020 is not like most years, thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The transfer market filled up as it usually does during the spring, but when it comes to impact moves there have not been many. But as far as Maryland’s roster makeup is concerned that changed just over a week ago when rising junior forward Ben Stanley announced that he would be transferring from Hampton.
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Last season the 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward moved into a starting role after serving as a reserve his freshman season, and it’s safe to say that Stanley flourished in the new role. Playing an average of 35.1 minutes per game, the Baltimore native accounted for 22.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals and 1.5 blocks for the Pirates, who finished the season with a 15-19 overall record (8-10 Big South). And due to a development that occurred after Stanley announced his intention to transfer, he could be well-positioned to have an immediate impact wherever he lands.
Hampton announced earlier this week that it was postponing all fall sports, and there would be no sports of any kind played until the spring semester at the earliest. That means no basketball until January, and it could be the ticket that Stanley (and his next stop) needs in order to be granted immediate eligibility. Gauging just how much of an impact that a non-power conference transfer can have at a power conference program is always tricky; in addition to consistently facing tougher competition there’s also the matter of role definition. Given Stanley’s size he could have more freedom offensively, as he spent the majority of his time inside of the three-point line. Of his 446 field goal attempts only 45 were three-pointers, with Stanley shooting 33.3%.
According to KenPom.com Hampton only played six games against Tier A+B competition, which included road games against Illinois (which is also on his list) and San Francisco. In those games Stanley posted an effective field goal percentage of 57.8%, shooting 20-for-34 from the field and 4-for-13 from beyond the arc. Given the current making up of Maryland’s frontcourt rotation Stanley could enjoy more offensive freedom, as neither Chol Marial nor Galin Smith (at Alabama) were much of a threat as perimeter shooters. Donta Scott (25-for-79) and Hakim Hart (4-for-27) were more willing shooters, but neither produced percentages that jump off the page.
Stanley told 247Sports’ Dushawn London earlier this month that Dayton, Illinois, Oregon and Xavier are also under consideration, and there’s also the possibility of a return to Hampton. He isn’t the biggest forward, but the athleticism makes him a prime candidate to serve as a more versatile four should he pick Maryland. And given the team’s frontcourt depth, especially if Boston College transfer Jairus Hamilton isn’t granted an immediate eligibility waiver, this is a recruiting battle that Mark Turgeon needs to win ahead of the 2020-21 campaign (should there be one).
BSL Analyst
Raphielle’s been writing about college sports for more than a decade, making the move to college basketball alone in 2013. Beginning his work with the former website CollegeHoops.net in 2003, Raphielle spent 3 years writing for NBCSports.com beginning 2013, covering CBB and the Olympics. In 2016, Raphielle joined Heavy.com. If there’s a game on, there’s a strong likelihood that he’s watching it.