10 Best Players in College Basketball So Far (January 2019)
Andrew Tineo
Posted On January 11
During the first week of the Basketball season, I was asked during a Red Cup Inbox who is the best player in College Basketball. There have been breakout players so far in 2018-2019 as well as players that have lived up to their preseason expectations. From Bluebloods to Mid Major Powerhouses and from Mid Major Powerhouses to a middle of the road Big South team’s best player? Let’s get into the list.
10. David Jenkins Jr.- South Dakota State Guard
This list will vary depending on talent alone and not just the best player on a Blueblood team. Which is why David Jenkins Jr. definitely deserves to be among the elite in College Basketball. Jenkins can shoot lights out as he leads the Summitt conference with 19.8 PPG. Jenkins shoots 48% from the field and a astounding 51% from 3 point range. He has his Jackrabbits 2nd in the conference so far He isn’t a all around stud as he averages just 3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. But he is so lethal from beyond the arc and is all around, just a terrific scorer. So in both of those cases, he deserves to be on this list.
9. Grant Williams-Tennessee Forward
The SEC POY is off to a very strong Junior year. With his Volunteers 13-1 and in the top 5 of the AP Polls, Williams is on a strong push to make a case for The Wooden Award by the end of the year. Williams is averaging 18.8 PPG with nearly 8 RPG. He is also shooting at a very high rate with 57% from the field as well as 40% from 3. Williams is no scrub when it comes to rebounding as he averages a little under 8 rebounds per contest. Williams is a little bit low on this list, but he also has the highest chance of making his way up to the top once the end of the year comes around. Guys in front of me may not be able to perfom to the level that he is. And with his proven track record, I expect Williams to move into the Top 5, potentially Top 3 of the “Best in College Basketball” discussion.
8. Chris Clemons- Campbell Guard
I mean you can’t have the top player in College Basketball without the top scorer in the NCAA. That title belongs currently to Campbell Guard Chris Clemons. He is averaging a little bit under 30 PPG. Oh by the way, he’s also 5 foot 9. Oh also, he averages 6 rebounds per contest. And nearly 30 Points. At 5 foot 9 inches. This isn’t anything new though to the Big South Conference or Campbell fans. His Freshman year he averaged 18.5 PPG. And his Sophomore and Junior Year, he averaged 25.1 and 24.9 per game. He isn’t exactly deadly from deep with a 36% on the year. But he’s an above average free throw shooter and just finds ways to score the basketball and at will. Campbell is in the middle of the pack in the Big South due to the lack of supporting cast around Clemons. Campbell has been competitive in some of their tougher games as they lost to Miami by only 11. As well as At Georgetown by just 8, while putting up 85 points. Clemons has been doing this all 4 years, so it’s time the senior out of Raleigh, North Carolina deserves some credit.
7. Ja Morant -Murray State Guard
Quite a bit of College Basketball remembers Isaiah Canaan. Beyond filthy player that won back to back OVC POY as well as was a Consensus All-American. 22 Points per Game and led Murray State to the NCAA Tournament. Ja Morant is an more athletic version of Isaiah. And this guy can pass. Ja averages a double double so far with 23.5 PPG and 10 assists to go along with almost 7 rebounds per contest. I keep him a little bit further back though in that due to the fact that he is a true guard and has to handle the ball. Morant can have some turnover issues. He leads the conference with 5 turnovers per contest. He is a projected lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. And for good reason. This guy also has some crazy highlight reel plays that will have your jaw stapled to the floor like such:
6. Carsen Edwards- Purdue Guard
Edwards had the chance to go pro last season. And he would’ve been a first round pick. He came back for his Junior Year and he has been on a mission. He is in the Top 15 in scoring with 24.5 PPG on 37% shooting from 3 and shoots a fantastic 88% from the free throw line. Edwards is one of those guys that also is a vocal leader and is almost like the QB of Basketball on the court. He is by far, the leading candidate for POTY in the Big 10 Conference and shows that Purdue will be contending once again for another Conference Championship.
Caleb Martin has had one heck of a ride during his Collegiate Career. I wrote about him and his brother a couple months ago, so if you want to go and check that out as well, you are more than welcome to. He is on par from his MWC POTY Performance a year ago. He is averaging 18 PPG and is slightly better from in front of the 3 point line, but has struggled from beyond it. Caleb is shooting just 33%. He has limited his turnovers from a year ago, and has limited his shooting from 2 point range. Caleb is still among the best in the Mid-Major with his ability to score as much as he does and the fact that he is 6 foot 7. Nevada is 15-1 and was a preseason dark horse to make a late run in the Tourney behind the Caleb Martin. They are on par for a fantastic finish and hopefully a deep run. Martin’s performance could be the difference.
4. Dedric Lawson- Kansas Forward
Probably the biggest transfer during the offseason, Dedric Lawson has been a monster for Kansas so far. Averaging 19 PPG and 11 RPG as well as a 11.38 SOS (among the top 20 in the nation). The transfer from Memphis has lived up to expectation and potentially then some. Lawson doesn’t shoot well from beyond the arc, so it makes it more impressive that he’s shooting 50% from the field. Lawson isn’t just a scorer though as his defense is also among the best at his position in the conference. The Big 12 is a tough slate every year, so I doubt Lawson will have these same numbers, once the year ends. But he’s got the talent at some points to put the team on his back and will them to some victories.
RJ Barrett is the 2nd most athletic and talented player in the entire nation. The 6-7 Freshman from Monteverde Academy is averging 22.8 PPG and getting 6 RPG. There will be some discussion on why RJ isn’t 2 or 1. And that’s simply because he is too inconsistent from the field and is not a good 3 point shooter. He takes 18 shots a game and is 31% from 3. Not too mention, he’s also a below average Free Throw shooter. He is extremely talented and can jump out of the building. But there’s one night he can go for 35-6-5 and 50% from the field. But other night’s, it’ll be, 15-3-1 on 34% from the field. The inconsistencies is what keeps him out of the top 2.
2. Markus Howard- Marquette Guard
I wouldn’t say he is the biggest surprise in CBB, considering he played phenomenal his first 2 seasons. But Markus Howard has turned it up another level in 2018. He is averaging 25.8 PPG with 44% from the field and 3 point range. He is a 91% career FT shooter and the best lockdown defender in the Big East. He can also pass it off as he averages a cool 4 assists per contest. The difference between RJ and Markus is that Markus has shown up and shown out in big time games. He had 37 against Bethune Cookman (not a big time opponent, but still impressive. 45 points against Kansas State. 45 against undefeated Buffalo (40 of that in the second half). and 53 points on the road against Creighton (he scored half of the team’s points in that contest). Howard can take over games and has shown he is elite and one of the best. Don’t believe me? Watch him against Buffalo:
#1 Player Currently, Zion Williamson- Duke Forward
Who else was it going to be? Some sites vary on where they think he’ll go in June, but I have him as the projected #1 Overall Pick. Zion averages nearly 21 PPG on 9.5 Rebounds. Even if he weighs 275, he looks like the most athletic and talented 275 pound man I’ve ever seen. A lot of critics before the season said he would get exposed of his limit to hit mid range or even 3 point jumpers. While that is true with Zion shooting 28% from beyond the arc, that’s not Zion’s game. He dominates you down low and goes to up to get high lobs and ridiculous dunks that someone the size of a NFL Defensive Lineman shouldn’t be making. Zion is living up to is hype and is compared to many (including myself) as a slightly smaller but more athletic Shaquille O’Neal. If you’re not convinced yet, here’s some more:
Image Credit: https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2018/05/29/purdues-carsen-edwards-withdraw-nba-draft/650377002/
