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| Sunday, December 22 Updated: December 24, 2:04 PM ET Breaking 'em down By Jay Bilas Special to ESPN.com |
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ESPN's Jay Bilas breaks down the games of this season's impact freshmen (statistics through Dec. 24):
13.3 ppg | 4.2 rpg | 1.0 asp Breakthrough Game: Came off the bench to score 22 points in 17 minutes in season-opening win over Western Kentucky. Look up the word "athletic" in the dictionary and next to it is a picture of Adams. He just loves to run the floor, fill the lanes and finish on the break. He has long arms for a guard and a great knack for scoring around the basket. Strong and powerful, Adams just has a nose for the ball, which makes him the best offensive rebounding freshman guard in the nation. He's also a much more competent shooter than billed out of high school. His a warrior and while he may not start for the Wildcats, it's all but impossible to keep off of the floor at crunch time.
24.7 ppg | 10.1 rpg | 3.0 asp Breakthrough Game: College debut came in Madison Square Garden, where he scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in loss to Memphis. Anthony can simply do it all. He can post up, face up, drive by almost anyone on the college level and make open shots. At 6-8, he has the ability to handle the ball like a guard, driving and dishing, or passing out of double teams. He can get his own shot or create opportunities for others. Anthony is so talented that he can routinely convert bad shots, they kind that would get a lesser player quickly pulled from the lineup. The only danger with Anthony is that his teammates will simply stand and watch him.
9.4 ppg | 5.9 rpg | 0.6 asp Breakthrough Game: Made 7 of 11 shots against Hartford for a season-high 15 points in 27 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds as well. The most unique athlete in college basketball, Bookout was a standout high school pitcher with an 85-plus mphfastball, and set an Oklahoma high school record for home runs. Only J.D. Drew hit more home runs while in high school. Bookout is also a champion shot putter and discus thrower, and a U.S. Olympic team hopeful. When it comes to basketball, Bookout rebounds well, has a good touch for a big man (6-8, 280), and can run. Although not particularly quick or fast, Bookout has great feet, and has run a 5:50 mile. On the court, Bookout is efficient, and only takes shots he can make.
14.8 ppg | 10.4 rpg | 2.1 asp Breakthrough Game: Recorded double-doubles in first five college games, which started with a 26-and -4 performance in debut. Bosh is a double-double machine, but unselfish. He is the type of player coaches love, because he is productive, yet he doesn't need to have a bunch of plays run for him to play effectively. The lefty he has great hands, a good stroke, and has shown an aptitude to improve offensively. He's also an excellent passer who can run the floor extremely well. Bosh is athletic, hungry and a winner. He led Lincoln High School in Texas to an undefeated season as a senior and has make Tech a much better team. Bosh's work on the offensive glass is why he leads the ACC in rebounding.
14.5 ppg | 4.5 rpg | 5.1 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored 25 points, dished out four assists and grabbed five rebounds against Eastern Illinois. At just 5-11, Brown is one of the quickest players, from end to end, in college basketball. He's a blur changing ends and game is predicated on speed. Did I mention Brown is jet quick? He has great speed with the ball in his hands. Brown is not a great shooter, but streaky, and he can finish plays with creativity. Brown hits enough open shots, so he must be guarded. Like most of these impact freshman, Brown is vocal and gives Illinois an identity.
18.2 ppg | 6.6 rpg | 0.9 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored 27 points in 29 minutes against Lafayette, hitting 9 of 14 shots and grabbing seven rebounds. Diogu is a unique player. At 6-9, he is a load inside and a dominant low-post threat. Diogu, while very strong, also has a soft touch and is great around the goal. He has a solid jumphook, a step-through move, reliable turnaround jumpshot, and the ability to drill mid-range shots. Diogu is very skilled with either hand, has good feet, runs well, yet is also rugged, tough and explosive around the basket. Diogu must learn position defense and to play physical defense without fouling.
9.3 ppg | 4.0 rpg | 7.1 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while also handing out seven assists, as Heels beat Stanford to win Preseason NIT title. Felton is a very good penetrator and passer and is still learning how to run a team, but has accepted the responsibilities that accompany that of a leader. Felton is incredibly quick, very strong, and can get into the lane. Defenders better stay in front of him to be successful. Felton can move the ball from end to end, and once in the offense, can get into the lane and find people. Felton is a very good ballhandler, passes well and penetrates to pass or finish. Felton is a competent shooter and a very good defender who puts good pressure on the ball. Felton is a great athlete and causes turnovers with his active hands, quickness and ability to pressure the ball.
11.1 ppg | 9.5 rpg | 0.8 asp Breakthrough Game: Had back-to-back 20-point games as Irish beat Maryland and Texas in the BB&T Classic, scoring 21 and grabbing 11 boards in win over Longhorns. Francis has benefited from Notre Dame's busy early-season schedule and learned quickly how to play off the outstanding Irish guards. He is 6-10 with good skills around the basket, great hands and excellent footwork. Francis may not be as explosive as he is skilled, but he can shoot it to 15 feet and reminds me of a young Joe Smith with his low post moves. He has kept things simple, but is very confident, making his ceiling, when it comes to potential, very high.
9.2 ppg | 8.3 rpg | 0.4 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in victory over Loyola-Marymount at Great Alaska Shootout. Fraser is both a big body and a great athlete who can run the floor, move his feet and get up quickly. He is an outstanding offensive rebounder, can block shots and has the potential to be a great college player. Fraser is raw offensively, but has good hands, is instinctive, and plays with emotion. He brings great energy into his play, but needs to refine his offensive game and become more aware defensively. Fraser needs a go-to move in the post and a reliable counter. Against experienced big men, Fraser is getting pushed off of the low block, and he is limited in his ability to counter, but relies upon his athletic ability and instincts to play as well as he has so far in his brief college career.
13.3 ppg | 8.6 rpg | 1.1 asp Breakthrough Game: Recorded first college double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in victory over Rutgers. May has the best hands and feet of any freshman big man in the country. His soft touch allows him to score with his back to the basket, finding the hoop with a turnaround jumpshot or jumphook. He's also a very good passer out of the post. May needs to improve his free throw shooting, conditioning and show better concentration on the defensive end. May seems as athletic as he has to be given the situation, but must learn to play every play, especially defensively
19.1 ppg | 5.2 rpg | 1.8 asp Breakthrough Game: While he scored 28 in season debut, his 25 against Kansas on 10-of-15 shooting in the Preseason NIT semifinals introduced him to the nation. McCants was one of the most competitive players in last year's high school class and has been very consistent at a high level. He is very athletic, long (with a 7-foot wingspan), can attack the rim off of the bounce, elevate and finish over people, despite contact. Given time, McCants' jump shot has range. He's agressive both diving after the ball when it is loose and while attacking the backboards. His tough mind, energy and vocal leadership make him the complete package.
10.7 ppg | 2.2 rpg | 2.8 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored 12 at USC, then a game later showed versatility, by dishing out nine assists against Wisconsin-Green Bay. McKinney is a winner who understands the game and how to impact it. He won three state titles in high school, playing the shooting guard and point positions. McKinney is an athletic shooter who is long and rangy. He can be explosive, make plays, and he has a great feel for the game. McKinney does a little bit of everything, which includes pulling up in transition, putting the ball on the floor and handling it at the point for Quinn Synder's Tigers, if necessary. He missed a few weeks with a fracture over his eye, but has returned to provide quality play at the guard spot. McKinney may be Missouri's best pure "basketball player," because he just has a knack for making the right play.
10.3 ppg | 5.5 rpg | 0.7 asp Breakthrough Game: It took just one game to become a fan favorite, as he scored 23 points in just 18 minutes in front of the Cameron Crazies. At 6-10, Randolph is the most skilled true big man that Mike Krzyzewski has ever brought into his Duke program. That doesn't mean that Randolph will pan out to be as good as Laettner, Alarie or Ferry, but he has better ball skills at this stage of his career than either of those great players did as freshmen. Randolph is a uniquely skilled power forward who can do it all. He can shoot with range, put it on the floor, or pull up and shoot with touch. Around the basket, Shavlik can post and shoot a jumphook or turnaround jumper, and he has the ability to rebound the ball. Randolph is not a power player, but a versatile player with a high aptitude for the game. Like most freshmen, Randolph must get stronger, tougher and do a better job defensively.
13.3 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 1.2 asp Breakthrough Game: Came off the bench against UCLA to hit five of 10 treys and score 20 points in 27 minutes. Redick could very well already be the best shooter at Duke in over two decades. He has great footwork to get and execute shots, a quick release, and a high release point. Redick is 6-5 and can play small forward if necessary, where he shows his competitveness against bigger guys. He is a competent perimeter defender on the college level, and guards people by staying in front. Redick is a limited handler, but is still a weapon because of his unlimited range. Redick is such a threat that opposing teams must dedicate a defender to him who cannot help off Redick. He reminds me of a better-shooting Casey Jacobsen, but without the driving ability.
14.2 ppg | 2.6 rpg | 2.3 asp Breakthrough Game: Scored season-high 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting in a win over Coastal Carolina. Roberson is a scoring point guard with a great first step. He is good in transition, creates off the dribble, and is a pretty good passer. Roberson can shoot off the dribble with range and is at his best with the ball in his hands when he can get into the lane and make plays. Criticized for poor shot selection, Roberson has the ability to hit those "bad" shots. I think his shot selection at Florida has been very good, and he has shown the ability to play with others and distribute the ball. Roberson has the athletic ability to be a very good defender, and just needs to learn to better control foe's ballhandlers.
19.0 ppg | 8.0 rpg | 0.9 asp Breakthrough Game: Was a perfect 10-for-10 from the field in a 27-point effort against St. Bonaventure, while also grabbing seven rebounds. Smith is a great talent who slipped below the radar screen in recruiting. At 6-6, Smith is really strong, has the footwork of a dancer near the basket, and is a crafty post player. He is long-armed with a good vertical lift and skills. Smith played in high school with Evan Burns, and can play the power forward or center spots, and face up bigger players. Smith has good skills and a hunger to score.
16.2 ppg | 4.9 rpg | 3.5 asp Breakthrough Game: His college career started with back-to-back 20-point efforts in the Preseason NIT, scoring 26 against Louisiana Tech in his debut and another 20 against Eastern Illinois. Walsh came out of high school with a reputation as a shooter who would launch the ball every time he touched it. But, he's a very smart player, moves without the ball, and is always around the ball. Walsh has a high basketball I.Q., and is a good shooter, handles it well, and can make plays. He is a good passer, can rebound for his size, and is efficient. Walsh is very good in Billy Donovan's press, because he can anticipate, he sees the floor and he is a quick study.
17.4 ppg | 7.9 rpg | 2.5 asp Breakthrough Game: After scoring eight points in his debut, he went off for 25, 22 and 21 in wins over Miami, Fla., LSU and Oakland. Wright is an outstanding athlete with fluidity, finesse and power. He can get to the basket, attack off the dribble and challenge defenders at the rim. Oh, and he is a very good jumpshooter. Wright will sometimes settle for his jumpshot rather than using his dribble to attack the defense, but that is common for young players. Wright has the athleticism to be a very good defender and rebounder, and the chance to be a special college player.
18.3 ppg | 5.1 rpg | 2.8 asp Breakthrough Game: While already an impact in Hoosiers' first six wins, he went off for 31 against Vanderbilt to become IU's go-go guy the rest of the season. A 6-4 scorer who combines finesse and athleticism. But what makes Wright so potent is his ability to shoot it from long range -- either off the catch, after one or two dribbles, or spotting up. Wright can also put the ball on the floor and plays well off of penetration, attacking the basket and finishing with strength. Wright is long, and has the ability to be a good defender, but loses concentration on the defensive end. Wright reminds me of Gilbert Arenas with a better shot. Jay Bilas is an college basketball analyst for ESPN and frequent contributor to ESPN.com. |
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