California Golden Bears Basketball 2016-17 Offseason Checklist

Transfer Possibilities

While Cal didn’t strike it rich in the recruiting market, the team does have a lot of transfer possibilities. More likely than not, these transfers would have to sit out a season. But there are some cases where the transfer player could play right away. Regardless, Cal’s fans should be interested to see if coach Martin can lure any transfer players to his program. Here are some players Cal is/should target in the transfer market.

Jimmy Whitt, Point Guard, 6’4″ 173 pounds, Arkansas

Whitt was ranked the 77th best recruit during the 2015 cycle. He averaged just 6.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game in 2015-16 after scoring in double digits in five of the first six games. Whitt is a playmaker who would be an immediate threat on this Cal team.

Of course, he would have to sit out for the 2016-17 season but in 2017-18 when Bird and Matthews are gone, Whitt could be the Bears’ starting point guard and a lethal weapon in coach Martin’s attack.

Grant Mullins, Guard, 6’0″ 175 pounds, Columbia.

Mullins averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 2015. He shot 46.8% from the field and 43.9% from three — a mark that ranked sixth in the Ivy League. Mullins doesn’t necessarily blow you away, but he would be in the rotation and could do some damage outside for the Bears.

Ivy League rules state that if you’re a graduate, you’re ineligible to play. Therefore, if Mullins transferred to Cal he would immediately be able to play. His shooting and veteran leadership could help this Cal backcourt in a number of ways. Mullins ranked ninth on ESPN’s transfer list.

Dylan Osetkowski, Forward, 6’8″ 245 pounds, Tulane

Osetkowski is another player that, like Whitt, would have to sit out for a year. But come 2017-18 he can be a dominant frontcourt player for the Bears. He averaged 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for Tulane.

His size and experience playing in the American Athletic Conference would help him greatly in the Pac-12. Osetkowski would most likely be a starter over either Rooks or Okoroh come 2017-18. His size, rebounding and scoring can help this Cal team come his time to play. Osetkowski ranked fourth on ESPN’s transfer list.

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Canyon Barry, Guard, 6″6′ 210 pounds, College of Charleston

Barry was a dominant force last year before going down with a shoulder injury. He averaged 19.7 points in the 12 games he played and is the son of former NBA star Rick Barry. But aside from family heritage, Barry would provide Cal with a great scoring spark, whether it be starting or off the bench.

Barry is a graduate transfer so he would be able to play immediately. He has cut his list down to seven schools. Battling Cal for Barry’s services are Florida, Kansas, Louisville. Miami, Northwestern, and Ole Miss. Landing Barry would be a fantastic silver lining for coach Martin after a horrid recruiting season. Barry was ranked second on ESPN’s transfer list.

So far, those are the transfers who have been connected to the California Bears program. But the season has just ended and other names may come up. Names to look out for would be Cullen Neal out of New Mexico, Patrick Steeves out of Harvard and DeSean Murray out of Presbytarian. These players have not yet been contact by Cal as they have been by other schools, but transferring season is young and all four would fit Cal’s system.

Coach Martin has to lock up at least one of the group that includes Whitt, Mullins, Osetowski or Barry for this to be consider a successful recruiting offseason. Failing to do so would leave a very bad taste in Bears’ fans mouths as well as very little depth for the upcoming season and beyond.

Next: Possible Coaching Changes