College basketball season has just begun and people can not wait to watch Hunter Dickinson at Kansas and Zach Edey at Purdue. Everyone knows they are due for big years and are going into the draft after-Who are the players who have flown under the radar and are not getting the buzz?
These players have been in college basketball for years, and these are the grinders who deserve to get some love. Nonetheless we all know the media has hyped narratives and does not always talk about the best players but the most popular. There are some players who are going to get a lot of buzz by the end of the year and I am here to tell you about them first.
We have 3 players who are going to be special this season and you may have not even heard of them. It happens all the time, Ja Morant was unheard of before he carried Murray St. to the tournament, Donte Divenchenzo was a bench player before showing out in the last year’s March Madness tournament and got some buzz and even all the way back to Russell Westbrook, who was not a top 100 recruit in his highschool class and ended up being a lottery pick.
Even someone like Payton Prichard who just got a big extension with the Celtics was not really talked about until his last year at Oregon. There are so many colleges that it is hard to keep up with everyone, but I am doing my best to help.
That being said, let’s see who’s about to have a big year.
#3 Mason Forbes: 6’9 Forward, St. Marys
Mason Forbes is a Harvard transfer that is trying to get some NBA looks this year. Forbes averaged 8 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assist per game. He is a big forward that can shoot the middie, grab boards, and protect the paint.
He can finish around the rim, and he is athletic so he can catch lobs and second chance points for his team. He is a really good rebounder, but specifically he knows how to get boards on the offensive end.
He does not have a deep bag, but he has great ball pursuit, and he has great touch around the rim. Even though his numbers did not look superb, he made a huge impact for Stanford and it was enough for him to transfer to #23 Saint Mary’s.
Saint Mary’s definitely appreciated having him too. In his first game he had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and a block on 8-10 shooting, and 3-6 from the free throw line. He led St. Mary’s to a 107-28 win over Stanislaus.
He lacks scoring ability, but still has great touch, rebounding, and rim protecting skills. He came off the bench, but will probably soon take the starting role. He could be a big part of Saint Mary’s title run this year and could put himself in some mock drafts if he continues to work hard and perform.
#2: Erick Dickson: 6’8 Senior Villanova
Dickson is a senior starter that is somehow not getting his name mentioned even though he had a great season last year for the wildcats. Right now Dickson is not even in most mock drafts which is mind boggling since he is so good and has an NBA build.
Dickson, who is going into his 4th year at a great program, just had a great year and is looking to have a better one. Dickson averaged 15.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game on 49.2/37.8/79.2 shooting splits in 31.6 minutes per game.
He started all 34 games he played in last year and was a big help to leading the Wildcats to a 30-8 record. Dixon is 6’8 but can play either forward position. Dickson is an elite scorer with an unique skill set.
Dickson is an elite post scorer and mid range shooter. He can also shoot the three ball as well. He is a 39.2% three point shooter in his career at Villanova, which includes his 1-4 start in his first game. However he is even more deadly in the post and from the mid range.
He is a 3-level scorer who is a versatile defender. In his first game he had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block on 60% shooting in a 90-63 vs American University. He leads the team in points and assists and he is going to keep this trend going.
#1: Grant Nelson: 6’11 Senior, Alabama.
Grant Nelson is a center who transferred from North Dakota State to the 24th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Nelson is a big man who can score, rebound and protect the paint. He is a very athletic center who is also not in most mock drafts for next year.
Nelson averaged 17.9 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game on 52.1% from the field in 30.6 minutes per game last year. He is athletic and a big jumper, who has a nice jumpshot and can finish. That however is not what makes him special.
He can dribble the ball really well for a center, and he can pass extremely well for a center. In his first game with Alabama he was seen handling the ball, doing euro steps to finish, and hitting jumpers.
He put up 24 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assists, and 2 blocks on 58% shooting in 25 mins. He even shot 505 from three shots 2-4. He was a decent floor spacer at NDSU, but he seems to have worked on and improved his jumper even more.
I know it was only one game, but he took the threes with confidence, which just shows how much he has been working on his jumper. He was still protecting the rim with two big blocks, and was a big part of Alabama’s 105-73 win against Morehead St.
All three of these players got off to hot starts and will continue to perform against some of the best talent. These three players may not be lottery picks, but look for them to put themselves on some draft boards.
You always hear about the Zions, Drandre Aytons, and Karl Anthony-Towns, but never about the late round picks. These are hard working guys who will have big years and be vital parts of some really good teams. Look out for them this upcoming season and tournament.
ONWARD!
TRU-YAK
