Transfer Portal Profiles: LJ Cryer, Houston

Houston surprised many when they scooped former Baylor guard LJ Cryer out of the transfer portal. He’s expected to be one of the most impactful transfers of the offseason, but we see an area in Cryer’s game that must improve for him to succeed in H-Town.

Here are a few notes on LJ Cryer in this edition of Transfer Portal Profiles.

Career at Baylor

Cryer was pivotal to one of the nation’s best backcourts during his time at Baylor. The Bears finished the season with the second-highest-ranked offense per KenPom and were first for most of the year. Cryer’s 41 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 90 percent from the free throw line helped him become one of the 200 most efficient players in college basketball in 2022-23.

Scouting Report

The rising senior can score at the rim, on three-pointers, off screens, or in the mid-range. Last season, he ranked top three in the Big 12 in offensive rating, effective field goal, free-throw, and three-point percentages.

There is something to be desired with Cryer’s defensive capabilities. He isn’t incredibly athletic, and at just 6’1″, teams will often target him as a mismatch on the court. If he can rise to an average level at Houston, Cryer will be a home run transfer for the Cougars.

The Fit

Cryer can be a plug-and-play scorer in basically any offense. Head coach Kelvin Sampson is obsessed with guards that ooze talent and can take over games within a few minutes. He has had that with Marcus Sasser, and he’ll get the same with Cryer. The fit feels perfect, and Cryer should thrive in a fast-paced offense where he will flirt with 30 points on a handful of nights.

The oddity of this transfer pickup comes on the defensive end. Houston’s guards are well known for their defensive tenacity and intensity, which Cryer lacks. He’ll need to amp up on the defensive side to achieve the heightened standard Sampson demands at that end of the court.

Check out some of our other Transfer Portal Profiles: Kerr Kriisa, West Virginia | Walter Clayton Jr., Florida

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