Top 30 Big 12 Players
1. Rodney McGruder: Kansas State – 15.8 points, 5.2
rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals
He meant everything to his team last year, and nothing
changes now. He will probably lead the conference in scoring, and could very
well be the player of the year in the conference. He will also keep Kansas
State towards the top of the standings all year long.
2. Pierre Jackson: Baylor – 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.9
assists, 1.8 steals
Jackson was overshadowed last year by a terrific frontcourt,
anchored by PJIII. Now he is the star and Baylor’s strength is in its
backcourt. He will be not just be responsible for scoring, but he will also set
up his teammates consistently and lead the defense. Learn his name now!
3. LeBryan Nash: Oklahoma State – 13.3 points, 5 rebounds,
1.5 assists
There was so much hype surrounding him last year, but he
never lived up to it. With a year under his belt, we could see some great
things from him now. There are few as talented as him not just in the Big 12,
but also in the nation. He could easily play himself into the top 5 in next
year’s NBA draft.
4. Elijah Johnson: Kansas – 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5
assists, 1.4 steals
Overshadowed no more, Johnson will become the leading scorer
for the Jayhawks. He is a guy that could go from outside the draft to lottery
pick. He can knock down jumpers with ease, score in the open court, and take
his defenders off the dribble.
5. Jeff Withey: Kansas – 9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 blocks
Withey emerged late alongside Robinson, but this year he
will be the main guy. Outside of Cody Zeller, he is likely the best center in
the nation. You will see his scoring and rebounding numbers increase, and he
will average about 4 blocks once again. #Intimidator
6. Will Clyburn: Iowa State – 17.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1
assist and steal at Utah
They lost Royce White, but Clyburn is a great transfer from
Utah that will soften the blow. He didn’t see the same competition at his
former school, but he scores and rebounds extremely well.
7. Steven Pledger: Oklahoma – 16.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6
assists, 1 steal
Mostly unknown, Pledger was a force last year for a bad
team. He is a terrific scorer but needs to improve in other areas to be
considered elite. More importantly, he needs other around him to step up so the
Sooners can become more competitive.
8. Isaiah Austin: Baylor – Center, 3rd Ranked
Recruit by ESPN
Behind Shabazz Muhammed, I think this guy is the second best
freshman in the nation (Yes ahead of Noel from Kentucky). He has a complete
game on both ends of the floor. For being a big man, he has a great shooting
touch.
9. Myck Kabongo: Texas – 9.6 points, 3 rebounds, 5.2
assists, 1.3 steals
There was a lot riding on him last year as a freshman, but
he was very up and down. With better depth on the roster now, his second season
will be great. He isn’t the sure thing Pierre Jackson is, but he is the most
talented point guard in the conference.
10. Cameron Ridley: Texas – Center, 8th Ranked
Recruit by ESPN
Ridley is just what the doctor ordered for Texas. They
needed a talented big man and he is exactly that. He will start from day one
and completely transform their identity inside.
11. Marcus Smart: Oklahoma State – Shooting Guard, 10th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
This is the third elite recruit the Big 12 has to offer.
Unlike the first two, Smart is not a big man, but a very talented guard. He
will combine with Nash to become the most exciting duo to watch in the
conference.
12. Will Spradling: Kansas State – 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds,
2.8 assists
Spradling is a very underrated player, sometimes even on his
own team. He isn’t great at any one thing, but he does a lot of things well on
both sides of the floor. This could be his breakout year.
13. Aaric Murray: West Virginia – 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds,
2.3 blocks at Lasalle
Unlike in years past, the Mountaineers will depend on a lot
of new faces. Murray put up great numbers at Lasalle, but the Big 12 provides a
little better competition. Most skills will still transfer very well though.
14. Travis Releford: Kansas – 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8
assists, 1.2 steals
Another man up. That’s the attitude under Bill Self at
Kansas. Releford is very experienced and will be leaned upon this year for the
first time in his career. And just like so many before him, he’ll be ready to
step it up.
15. Deniz Kilicli: West Virginia – 10.7 points, 5.3
rebounds, 1.5 assists
One of the only remaining players of significance for West
Virginia. Due to that, he will provide much more than points and rebounds. His
rugged style will translate well to the Big 12, and with a lot of great big men
in the conference, his defense will be needed.
16. Jordan Henriquez: Kansas State – 7.6 points, 5.8
rebounds, 2.4 blocks
Henriquez is a big body that has gotten better and better
each game. He is a great shot blocker already, and his skill on the offensive
end is improving.
17. Markel Brown: Oklahoma State – 10.5 points, 5.1
rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals
Just because Nash and Smart may get the headlines, that
doesn’t mean Brown won’t be vital to the team this year. His impact all over
the court needs to be felt.
18. Andrew Fitzgerald: Oklahoma – 12.1 points, 5 rebounds
This is another returning Sooner that played well a year
ago. Just like the others though, improvement in the wins column is the most
important thing this year for Oklahoma.
19. Korie Lucious: Iowa State – 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds,
4.1 assists at Michigan State
This former Spartan now comes to the place where all
transfers seem to go. His scoring and passing will be major keys to a team that
lost a lot of seniors. His experience is very important also.
20. Brady Heslip: Baylor – 10.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1
assist
Brady is another piece of the great Baylor backcourt. He is
the best shooter in the conference, and is deadly when given open looks from
the perimeter. He and Pierre will be a tough combo to defend.
21. Perry Ellis: Kansas – Power Forward, 35th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
Robinson out and Ellis in. He won’t make the same impact
immediately, but he has that upside. He could likely start from day 1, and
playing alongside Withey will make things much easier.
22. Ricardo Gathers: Baylor – Power Forward, 36th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
Along with Austin, Gathers could immediately start inside
for the Bears. And if those two can get comfortable early, Baylor could be just
as good as last year.
23. Jordan Tolbert: Texas Tech – 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds
There isn’t much to cheer about at Texas Tech, but Tolbert
is somebody to watch. No matter what he does though, it will be a long season.
24. Sheldon McClellan: Texas – 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1
steal
Will fill a nice role and helps fill a scoring hole left J.
Brown.
25. Amath M’Baye: Oklahoma – 12 points, 5.7 rebounds at
Wyoming
Another transfer for the Big 12. This one will help Oklahoma
as they try and rebuild and get back to winning conference titles.
26. Jean-Paul Olukemi: Oklahoma State – 9.4 points, 4.8
rebounds, 1 assist and steal
He won’t be one of the leads or big names for the Ok. State,
but he will be vital to their team success. I would love for him to get better
defensively, and continue to increase his rebounding numbers.
27. Matt Humphrey: West Virginia – 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds
at Boston College
As is the trend for this conference, Humphrey is another
important transfer. Unlike many of the others, he played in a major conference
though. He played great at Boston College so he will step in immediately and
contribute for Huggins.
28. Romero Osby: Oklahoma – 12.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1
block
Quietly had a good season last year. He and Pledger form
quite a duo for the Sooners.
29. Deuce Bello: Baylor – 3.3 points, 1.9 rebounds
This is another guy for Baylor that could make a name for
himself. He is possibly the most athletic guy in the country, and is known only
as a great dunker. With the pressure of being a stud recruit behind him, he may
breakout in year two.
30. Melvin Ejim: Iowa State – 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds 1
assist and steal
One impact player for Iowa State that isn’t new is Ejim.
That continuity with the program could make him very important this season.
By: The Sports Guys
One player I failed to mention above due to his year sitting is Ben Mclemore on Kansas. Could be another great point guard this year. They seem to keep them coming!
ReplyDelete