Players transfer teams throughout the country so often, it’s almost routine in college basketball.

Western has picked up on the trend during the last couple of seasons. In the three-year Darrin Horn era, the Toppers have signed forward Elgrace Wilborn and guards Benson Callier, Joemal Campbell and Butch Jointer.

But in the process, Western parted ways with guard Nick Hill, forwards Ryan Lambert and Kevin Massiah and center Josh Higgins.

Besides senior guard Anthony Winchester, Western hasn’t seen many constant faces over the past few seasons.

But Western’s incoming transfers hope to become the new faces with which fans identify Western Kentucky basketball.

Because Campbell and Jointer transferred from junior colleges, both are expected by coach Darrin Horn to make an immediate impact.

“They were both guys that we recruited all year long,” Horn said. “The important thing about both of them is they’re our kind of guys because they’re great teammates, they’re extremely tough, and they’re both competitive.”

Campbell joins the Toppers after spending the last two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss. The Holly Springs, Miss., native averaged nine points, 5.7 assists and 3.1 steals per game last season.

Campbell said he sees himself filling the necessary tasks that will make his team better.

“My biggest role is to guard and just play off everyone else,” he said. “I’m just gonna try to play defense as hard as I can and distribute the ball as best as possible. It’s my job to make these guys better.”

Jointer spent the last two seasons at St. Catharine Junior College. Jointer finished last season with 19.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

The step up to the Division I level can be a big adjustment for many players. Jointer said he can already see the difference.

“It’s a big transition because it takes more of your time,” he said. “You have to work much harder here. Junior college is really pretty easy, but when you get here, it’s big time stuff.”

Junior guard Benson Callier will suit up this season after sitting out last season following his transfer from Florida State. Players transferring between Division I schools are required to sit out one season but don’t lose any eligibility.

Taking that year off can cause some players to lose a step, but Callier doesn’t think that assumption fits him. Callier collected just 15 points in 11 appearances off the bench.

“Everyday I just worked hard to get better,” he said. “Now, I’ll just pick up where I left off.”

Horn said he also doesn’t see Callier’s year off as a negative in his progress.

“I think it’s like anything else when you’re out. You have to adjust to get back to playing,” Horn said. “There’s also time for a lot of growth, and Benson has made a lot of strides as a player and a person.”

Western will soon find out if its three transfers have made the transition to the Hill well enough to be factors this season.

The Toppers will likely need their entire roster to compensate for their lack of height. Wilborn is Western’s tallest player at 6-foot-8.

“We hope everybody (transfers) is gonna be able to contribute to some degree because we play up tempo and hope to play nine, 10 and 11 guys,” Horn said. “Joemel maybe more so because of the positioning we have and the experience he brings.”

Reach Jason Stamm
at sports@wkuherald.com.