For a conference like Atlantic 10 Basketball, which is between the high majors and the true mid-major leagues, how it navigates the transfer portal can be the difference between being a one-bid league (like last year) and getting multiple bids on a regular basis. 

There were some positive impact transfers in the A-10 last season, including Rafael Castro (GW), Robbie Avila (Saint Louis), and Jalen Haynes (George Mason). The league is hoping for even more impact newcomers this time around. Here’s a look at three early league winners from the transfer portal.

Key incoming transfers

Davidson College has historically been tough to land transfers, but this crop has been as good as they can get, landing a pair of starting guards in Scovens and Brown. Friedrichsen, a former four-star prospect, is a sharpshooter who could be a breakout candidate to watch as well.

GW made one of the biggest splashes in the A-10 by landing Dinkins, who led conference peer Duquesne in scoring last season. Benjamin and Aranguren are two other perimeter newcomers to support returning star big man Rafael Castro. How well these guards perform will determine whether the Revs have a shot at a top-4 spot in the standings.

Saint Louis also returned its star big man (Robbie Avila) and hopes the new-look supporting cast will improve. Otieno was an all-league forward at the MAAC level and should complement Avila inside, while Jones can be the lead guard. Dunlap, a former four-star prospect, will replace the lost shooting from the program’s all-time leading scorer, Gibson Jimerson.