Tracking the high school basketball transfers

Transfers are a hot topic in college basketball this off-season with nearly a third of all Division I players changing programs.

High school basketball is in the midst of its own annual exchange season with several high-profile prospects announcing coming relocations.

Not surprisingly, independent programs like Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), Huntington Prep (W.Va.), La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) are driving much of the traffic.

But public schools are getting into the act, too. Most notable is defending state champ and potential budding dynasty Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.).



Already looking formidable with the return of crafty All-State point guard Casey Benson and nine other varsity players, the Aztecs — Arizona's two-time defending Division I state champions — will be joined by two talented newcomers next season.

Connor MacDougall, a 6-foot-8 rising senior forward/center, gives head coach Sam Duane's squad an impressive physical presence. MacDougall played last season at local independent Westwind Prep Academy (Phoenix) and is committed to Arizona State.

Alaska transplant Dane Kuiper, a 6-5 rising junior wing, will also join the defending champs. Kuiper plays for the powerhouse club program Arizona Power and already holds offers from Pac-12 and Mountain West schools.

Look for Corona del Sol to make an appearance in November's preseason Xcellent 25 national rankings.

Note: A previous version of this story mistakenly reported that a third player was transferring to Corona del Sol. That player's name has been removed and sources indicate he was never considering attending the Tempe school. We apologize for the error.

More notable transfers



* Storied Oak Hill Academy is going to be well-stocked on the wings. Virginia commitment B.J. Stith and twin North Carolina State pledges Caleb and Cody Martin are en route. Distributing to that trio will be Wake Forest-bound point guard Shelton Mitchell, a MaxPreps Junior All-American last season. Marion-Franklin (Columbus, Ohio) rising junior Tony Anderson, a 6-7 forward, is also headed to the rural Virginia school.

* Jerome Williams has been rumored to be the new head coach at Findlay Prep. Williams will have an abundance of talent to work with if commitments hold firm. Class of 2014 Top 100 players Craig Victor, Kelly Oubre and Namon Wright headline the list of players that have announced their intentions to join the Pilots. Talented 2016 point guard Derryck Thornton is also expected to join the program along with international prospects Dillon Brooks (Canada) and Jonah Bolden (Australia).

* A 1-2-3 combo of Josh Perkins, Rashad Vaughn and Jalen Lindsey might make Huntington Prep even better than it was a year ago when top prospect Andrew Wiggins was on the roster. Perkins, a star 6-2 point guard from Colorado, and Lindsey, a productive wing from Tennessee, are already on board. Vaughn is still up in the air about his plans for next season but the Express are in the mix.

* La Lumiere is having one of its most successful off-seasons ever. Jalen Coleman, who helped Indianapolis Cathedral beat the Lakers last season, is the most highly-touted addition. The 6-3 point guard is regarded as a Top 50 prospect for the class of 2015 by 247Sports. Texas standouts Joseph Anderson (6-2, 160, G) and Sadiq Inuwa (6-7, 210, F) of Yates (Houston) are also en route to the program headed by Alan Huss.

* Shiloh (Snellville, Ga.) teammates and 2014 classmates Trayvon Reed (6-11, 210, C) and Nate Mason Jr. (5-10, 160, G) — both Top 100-caliber players — are headed to Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.).

* Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) has a chance to make some national noise with the additions of rising juniors Antonio Blakeney (6-3, 165, SG) and Alex Owens (6-8, 215, PF). Both players are members of 247Sports.com's 2015 Top 100.

* California commitment Ahmaad Rorie is making a long-distance jump from Lincoln (Tacoma, Wash.) to Montverde Academy (Fla.) to give Kevin Boyle's backcourt additional experience and scoring punch. The Eagles haven't made much noise in the talent acquisition department following their victory in the National High School Invitational but expect a big name or two to surface in the coming month.



* MaxPreps Frosh All-American point guard Bryce Aiken (5-9, 160) is leaving Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.) for The Patrick School (Elizabeth).

* Curtis Jones, another promising 2016 guard, will join an already-talented cast at Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.).

* L.J. Peak (6-4, 200, G), who committed to Georgetown earlier this week, is returning to Gaffney (S.C.) after a year at Whitney Young (Chicago).

* Intriguing 2016 7-footer Raekwon Long is leaving Garinger (Charlotte, N.C.) for perennial Kentucky contender Scott County (Georgetown).
 
* Chester (Pa.) is reloading after a painfully disappointing loss in Pennsylvania's Class AAAA state championship game. Tyrell Sturdivant of Glasgow (Newark, Del.) will join the Clippers next season, who lost nine seniors from a 28-4 team.

* National Player of the Year candidate Stanley Johnson is getting some additional help at Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the form of 2015 wing Rex Pflueger. The 6-5 rising junior played for Trinity League rival JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) last season and is generating Pac-12 interest and offers.