Top Returning NCAA Prospects (2021)
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:12 pm
Most of the hype is justifiably about the freshmen, but recent years there still tend to be around 10 college non-freshmen selected in the first round. Who do you think has a shot to be in that group? Trayce Jackson-Davis and the West Virginia duo of Miles McBride and Oscar Tshiebwe were among the most productive freshmen (even the ones who were one-and-done) last year, and here are some other names I'll be checking in on who I feel are currently underrated.
Anton Watson: One of the few prospects where saying he can guard 1-5 isn't an exaggeration. He handles and passes really well for his size/age and looked well on his way to being a first-round pick before a shoulder injury cut short his freshman season. If his shot improves he's an easy lottery pick.
Christian Braun: Really jumping out as a major sleeper to me; I could see him getting Kevin Huerter comps as a shooter with a little size. He's on the younger side for his class (didn't turn 19 until after the season) and had the 6th-highest BPM of all freshmen last year.
N'Faly Dante: Originally part of the 2020 high school class, then reclassified and committed to Oregon, where he had a lost season between NCAA eligibility and some minor injuries. Dante was ranked around #10 in this class of incoming freshmen and to me was its best rim protector.
Jay Huff: He's put on some defensive clinics in the ACC the past couple years, and I think teams will gravitate towards him at the end of the first round as someone who you can plug in and have protect the rim and space the floor a little. Virginia's roster is a better fit around him this year where he's not going to be sharing the floor with another center.
Marcus Garrett/Aaron Henry: Scottie Lewis is in the same boat but has more acclaim going in as the highest-ranked 2019 recruit coming back. Probably the three best perimeter defenders in college basketball in some order, and all three have to show more on offense.
Anton Watson: One of the few prospects where saying he can guard 1-5 isn't an exaggeration. He handles and passes really well for his size/age and looked well on his way to being a first-round pick before a shoulder injury cut short his freshman season. If his shot improves he's an easy lottery pick.
Christian Braun: Really jumping out as a major sleeper to me; I could see him getting Kevin Huerter comps as a shooter with a little size. He's on the younger side for his class (didn't turn 19 until after the season) and had the 6th-highest BPM of all freshmen last year.
N'Faly Dante: Originally part of the 2020 high school class, then reclassified and committed to Oregon, where he had a lost season between NCAA eligibility and some minor injuries. Dante was ranked around #10 in this class of incoming freshmen and to me was its best rim protector.
Jay Huff: He's put on some defensive clinics in the ACC the past couple years, and I think teams will gravitate towards him at the end of the first round as someone who you can plug in and have protect the rim and space the floor a little. Virginia's roster is a better fit around him this year where he's not going to be sharing the floor with another center.
Marcus Garrett/Aaron Henry: Scottie Lewis is in the same boat but has more acclaim going in as the highest-ranked 2019 recruit coming back. Probably the three best perimeter defenders in college basketball in some order, and all three have to show more on offense.