It’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season!
Check below for our list of the 10 least appreciated players in college basketball entering the 20-21 college basketball season.
In no particular order:
Tyger Campbell, UCLA: Campbell led the Pac-12 in assist to turnover ratio last season as a freshman, just one year after he suffered a torn ACL. The 5-11 point guard had a total of 38 assists to just four turnovers during UCLA’s final four games a year ago, which included wins over Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State. Without Campbell, there’s absolutely no way that the Bruins would have been a jump shot away from sharing Pac-12 regular season title with Oregon.
Colbey Ross, Pepperdine: This 6-1 guard was third in the WCC in scoring last season (20.5) and also third in assists (7.2). If things get interesting in Malibu this season under Lorenzo Romar, Ross will be a major reason why.
Jayden Gardner, East Carolina: A walking double-double, Gardner had 10 games last season where he posted 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds. Elite production and “video game” like numbers are nothing new for the 6-7 Gardner, who averaged 19.7 points and 9.2 rebounds last season. This kid is a stud.
Loren Cristian Jackson, Akron: The diminutive Jackson had a major hand in guiding Akron to a MAC regular season title last season. 5-8 and beyond confident, Jackson is comfortable slaying an opponent either by scoring or distributing. His size is far from a deterrent, as evidenced by his ability to score 35 points in a game three separate times last season.
McKinley Wright, Colorado: Wright has been a model of stability for Colorado during the first three years of his college career and has never averaged less than 13 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Set to again be one of the top perimeter players in the Pac-12 as a senior, the 6-foot Wright should give Colorado an excellent chance to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis: Arguably the top rebounding guard in the sport, no player in college basketball exemplifies the term “stat sheet stuffer” like Goodwin. The 6-3 guard averaged 15.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals last season as a junior. He’s one of the many reasons why Saint Louis has a chance to be the best non power conference team in college basketball in 20-21.
Trent Frazier, Illinois: The decisions of both Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn to return to school next season has made Illinois a potential Final Four team in 2021, but Frazier is also a major key. The veteran guard emerged as one of the top on-ball defenders in the Big Ten last season and will play a critical role in whether or not Brad Underwood’s squad can hit its ceiling.
Oscar da Silva, Stanford: Blessed with great footwork and ideal timing, da Silva isn’t just potent — he’s also efficient. The 6-9 forward shot 60 percent or better from the field last season 14 times and was one of the top interior players in the Pac-12. If the Cardinal can be an NCAA Tournament team this season, da Silva will be a major reason why.
Kyle Lofton, St. Bonaventure: Lofton only had mid-major programs interested in his services out of high school, but he’s averaged at least 14 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in each of his first two seasons in Olean. His presence reiterates why the Bonnies are again expected to be in the top tier of the Atlantic 10.
Justin Bean Utah State: This 6-7 power forward tallied a whopping 16 double-doubles in 34 games last season en route to averaging 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds. If there’s a 50-50 play, there’s a good chance that Bean is going to be on the winning end. Don’t be shocked if he’s a first-team all-conference player at the end of the upcoming season.
