An influx of newcomers will make an immediate impact in the Colonial Athletic Association

Gone from the Colonial Athletic Association are seven of last year's top 10 scorers. Six were lost to graduation, while Delaware's Kory Holden -- along with Charleston's Canyon Barry -- headlined this year's transfer list.

Despite these losses, the CAA projects to remain competitive behind the guard play and team defense that have defined the league for some time. Strong recruiting classes across the conference will provide an injection of youth, and a handful of high-profile transfers will come off redshirt seasons. Here's a look at five players with the potential to leave an impression next year.

Elijah Pemberton (Fr.) -- Hofstra

Coach Joe Mihalich has arguably the biggest shoes to fill on the perimeter, as the Pride lost Player of the Year Juan'ya Green and All-CAA guard Ameen Tanksley to graduation. Bolstering the backcourt will be incoming freshman combo guard Elijah Pemberton from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. The one-time William & Mary commit turned down offers from Buffalo, St. Bonaventure and Iona to attend Hofstra and could see playing time immediately. He's athletic, has a rangy 6'4 frame and has Mihalich gushing over his ability to guard four positions at the college level. Pemberton is one of the highest-ranked recruits in the league and has a prime opportunity to showcase his talent immediately.

Ramone Snowden (Jr.) - James Madison

Snowden was on the JMU bench all last season after transferring from Niagara, but will make his CAA debut this fall. While with the Purple Eagles, he was second on the team in scoring (10.7 ppg) and led his squad in rebounding (6.0 rpg) as a sophomore. The rugged, 6'5, 210-pound forward played in every game that year and also served as a facilitator out of the post and the team leader in steals. New Dukes coach Louis Rowe will play Snowden next to fellow big Yohanny Dalembert, looking to replace the production left by talented guard Ron Curry.

Ambrose Mosley (Sr.) - UNC Wilmington

The defending conference champs return most of their team next season, and will get an added boost from an eligible grad transfer. Mosley was a reserve guard with Old Dominion before being dismissed from the program last winter as a redshirt junior. Wilmington head coach Kevin Keatts mentored him at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia and vouched for the young man's character upon welcoming him to the team. With Mosley in the fold, UNCW's wing-friendly offense shouldn't miss a beat after losing senior Craig Ponder. Mosley led the Monarchs in 3-point filed goals his final full season and will take pressure off Chris Flemmings and rising sophomore C.J. Bryce.

Jaylen McManus (Fr.) - Charleston

Earl Grant came to Charleston with a reputation as a recruiter, and he proved why in his first full season. Three newcomers were in the starting lineup for the Cougars last season and all three took home CAA hardware, including Freshman of the Year Jarrell Brantley and All-Freshman guard Marquise Pointer. Grant brings in four more freshmen this summer, and Jaylen McManus out of Charlotte may have the most potential. McManus made his commitment official shortly after Canyon Barry declared his intent to transfer, and he could step into the starting small forward spot right away. A 6-7 slasher, McManus received interest from mid-majors as a junior, but his stock really rose when he added range to his jumper as a senior. Maryland, Boston College and Miami all showed late interest, but Jaylen stuck with one of the schools that got to him first.

Brian Starr (Jr.) - Towson

No one in the CAA does a better job of adding talent off the transfer wire than Towson head coach Pat Skerry. Former Wake Forest big man William Adala Moto will again lead the Tigers in 2016-17, but junior college transfer Brian Starr will steady the guard position. The Kansas City product put up a stat-stuffing line at Colby Community College as a sophomore, averaging 14.3 points, 7.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds per contest. Starting point guard Byron Hawkins transfered this summer, and Starr is the odds-on favorite to assume that vacated role in 2016-17.