After a historic Sweet 16 run in 2024, Ole Miss men’s basketball coach Chris Beard has revamped his roster through the transfer portal, replacing key departures due to exhausted eligibility and transfers. Eight high-profile additions join returning forward Malik Dia and guard Eduardo Klafke, giving the Rebels a real chance for another deep tournament run.
But which transfer will emerge as the breakout star? Here’s a ranking of Beard’s top pickups, based on their past performance, fit, and potential impact.
Top 5 Chris Beard Transfer Portal Picks For Ole Miss
Ole Miss basketball head coach Chris Beard’s aggressive recruiting has landed a diverse group of transfers, including former Kansas wing AJ Storr, Louisville’s Koren Johnson, LSU’s Corey Chest, Kentucky’s Travis Perry, Butler’s Augusto Cassia, High Point’s Kezza Giffa, French guard Ilias Kamardine, and Louisville’s James Scott.
With only one returning starter, forward Malik Dia, these newcomers will define Ole Miss’s 2025 season. Below, we rank the top five based on their likelihood to shine.
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1) G AJ Storr, Kansas
AJ Storr, a 6’7″ wing, is the team’s headliner. After an impressive sophomore season at Wisconsin, averaging 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds, Storr averaged 6.1 points and 1.7 rebounds on 42.3% shooting in limited minutes (15.7 per game) at Kansas in 2024-25.
His athleticism and scoring versatility make him a perfect fit for Beard’s up-tempo system. If he regains his 2023-24 form, Storr could lead Ole Miss in scoring and earn All-SEC honors.
2) G Kezza Giffa, High Point
Giffa, a 6’2″ guard, flipped from USC to Ole Miss after a visit to Oxford. A two-time All-Big South First-Team selection, he averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds, shooting 40% from the field and over 30% from three in 2024-25, per 247Sports. His quickness and playmaking could make him a backcourt star alongside Eduardo Klafke.
3) F Corey Chest, LSU
Corey Chest is a 6’8″ redshirt sophomore. At LSU, he averaged 6.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, with a 60.7% field goal percentage. His rebounding skills, including multiple double-digit rebound games, caught Beard’s eye.
As a switchable big man who thrives in transition, Chest could anchor the frontcourt alongside Dia, making him a breakout candidate if he improves his scoring.
4) G Koren Johnson, Louisville
Johnson, a 6’2″ guard, missed most of 2024-25 due to shoulder surgery but was a four-star prospect in 2022. At Washington in 2023-24, he averaged 11.1 points and 2.7 assists. His speed and defensive potential fit Beard’s game style.
He could compete for a starting role with a full recovery, though his limited recent playtime may raise concerns. Notably, Johnson was also looking at USC, like Giffa.
5) G Travis Perry, Kentucky
Perry, Kentucky’s all-time high school scoring leader with over 5,000 points, averaged 2.7 points on 31.3% field goal and 32.1% three-point shooting in limited minutes (9.6 per game) as a Kentucky freshman in 2024-25.
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His basketball IQ and shooting make him a sleeper pick. Perry’s local ties and scoring ability set him up for a bigger role, but he’ll need to outshine Giffa and Johnson in the backcourt.
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