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Seth Towns transfer options: Kansas among blue bloods in mix for coveted Harvard grad transfer

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Seth Towns #31 of the Harvard Crimson is introduced before the game against the Pennsylvania Quakers at The Palestra on February 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn defeated Harvard 74-71. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Seth Towns #31 of the Harvard Crimson is introduced before the game against the Pennsylvania Quakers at The Palestra on February 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn defeated Harvard 74-71. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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Harvard graduates are used to having plenty of quality options after college. Seth Towns’ basketball future won’t be any different

The Ivy League’s rule preventing graduate students to play means Seth Towns is required to leave Harvard to continue his basketball career. Fortunately for the talented scorer, he isn’t going to be short of options on where he can play his final two years of college basketball.

According to Rivals.com analyst Corey Evans, six of the nation’s premier programs are leading the race to bring Towns to their campus. Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Virginia and Syracuse currently lead the race to land the former Ivy League Player of the Year. That list could easily get longer before Towns starts to eliminate collegiate blue blood from contention.

The only concern any program should have about Towns is his ability to stay healthy. He’s missed the last season and a half for Harvard due to knee injuries. The Ivy League is very competitive, but it isn’t the roughest conference in college basketball. Exposing Towns to high-major competition on a nightly basis might well increase the wear and tear his body is forced to endure.

That concern isn’t going to stop programs from pursuing him though. The Columbus, Ohio native is a legitimate 6-foot-7 forward who can score with terrific efficiency. He averaged over 16 points per game for the Crimson during the 2017-18 campaign and shot over 44 percent from 3-point range. Quite a few programs would love to add a forward capable of stretching the floor to that degree to their rosters.

The fact he has two years of eligibility remaining also makes him a more attractive transfer target. Fifth-year transfers have added a lot of value to programs in recent years but it can take those players several months to really get up and running with their new schools. Any school that lands Towns can afford to be patient. They should get at least 1.5 years of high-level production from him if he can stay healthy.

College basketball fans shouldn’t be surprised if Towns ends up being the most sought after player in this year’s transfer portal. Players with his combination of talent and production don’t come available very often. His recruitment should be a battle between every high major program with a scholarship to offer.

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