The 2014 recruiting class did not come in as hyped as the
2013 class with Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and others but it
certainly produced. While the freshmen class took an early hit with Emmanuel
Mudiay’s departure to China, the number one ranked player in Jahlil Okafor put
together an All-American season. Certain players exceeded their ranking like
D’Angelo Russell who was the main surprise out of the Top 25 players and then
there were others such as Cliff Alexander that did not live up to the hype in their
inaugural college season. In each recap, the year-end high school rankings are
provided along with Sports Illustrated’s projected stats from the pre-season.
1. Jahlil Okafor, 6’11”, C, Duke
Actual: MPG:
30.7 PPG: 17.6 RPG: 9.2 APG: 1.5 ORTG: 117.2 (27.5)
SI Projections: PPG: 16.1 RPG: 9.1 APG: 1.1 ORTG: 121 (24)
The top ranked high school recruit
certainly lived up to his top billing in his one year at Duke. The big man from
Chicago dominated from the get-go and scored in double-figures in 30 out of 31
games while shooting 67% from the field. Okafor scored a career high 30 points
in a win against Virginia Tech and frequently used his size and strength to
bully opposing big men down low. Despite struggling from the line, Okafor
recently was named the ACC player of the year and is also a front runner for
national player of the year. The projected top pick in the draft is now looking
to lead the Blue Devils to the final four for just the second time in 12 years.
Rank:
Scout - #1, ESPN - #1, Rivals - #1, 247 - #6
2. Emmanuel Mudiay, 6’5”, PG, China
Mudiay’s journey is well documented so I
will just link to the ESPN articles written about him in the last week. The
athletic guard could have benefited from a year under Larry Brown, but he is
still a projected Top 5 draft pick in this summer’s NBA draft.
Rank:
Scout - #2, ESPN - #5, Rivals - #2, 247 - #1
3. Stanley Johnson, 6’7”, SF, Arizona
Actual: MPG:
28.2 PPG: 13.9 RPG: 6.6 APG: 1.8 ORTG: 107.6 (27)
SI Projections: PPG: 13.4 RPG: 5.6 APG: 1.6 ORTG:
1115 (23)
 |
| PAC 12 Freshmen of the Year? Eh, not bad. |
Stanley Johnson made a steady climb to the
top of the rankings during his junior and senior year, and his game is still on
the upswing. In his first year in Tucson, the four-time California state
champion replaced his former AAU teammate in Aaron Gordon and won the PAC-12 freshmen of the year award while
also being named to the first team all-conference. Johnson led the Wildcats in
scoring and even when he struggled scoring the ball he always managed to grab
double-digit rebounds. Johnson’s main weakness coming into college centered on
his three point shooting but he finished the regular season shooting 35%.
Rank:
Scout - #3, ESPN - #7, Rivals - #3, 247 - #5
4. Cliff Alexander, 6’8”, PF, Kansas
Actual: MPG:
17.6 PPG: 7.1 RPG: 5.3 APG: 0.4 ORTG: 114.1 (20.5)
SI Projections: PPG: 11.7 RPG: 6.8 APG: 1.1 ORTG: 117
(23)
It certainly wasn’t the season that anyone
expected from “Big Cliff.” After a summer spent dominating the EYBL and high
school scene, it was a rough adjustment to the college game for Alexander.
Lacking refined offensive moves, Alexander struggled to earn Bill Self’s trust
early on. He put together a strong game in Austin with 15 points and nine
rebounds to lead the Jayhawks to an early road win, but it was mostly downhill
after that. Alexander played just six minutes in a loss to West Virginia and scored
just a combined 21 points in his next two games. His freshmen season then came
to a quick end when the NCAA began to investigate a loan for his mother last
week. Back in his high school days, Alexander constantly played Okafor to
stand-offs, but while one Chicago native soared the other faltered.
Rank:
Scout - #6, ESPN - #3, Rivals - #4, 247 - #4
5. Karl Anthony-Towns, 7’0”, C, Kentucky
Actual: MPG:
20.7 PPG: 9.7 RPG: 6.6 APG: 1.2 ORTG: 121.6 (23.6)
SI Projections: PPG: 10.3 RPG: 6.1 APG: 0.7 ORTG: 115
(23)
Towns showed his vast potential last year
at both the McDonald’s All-American practices and the Hoop Summit game and
despite playing under 21 minutes a game, he is now making a run at the top pick
in the NBA draft. Towns sits at No. 2 in Ken Pomeroy’s player of the year
rankings and is shooting 56% from the floor and almost 80% from the line.
Scouts love his versatility and defensive prowess to go along with his
potential pick and pop ability.
Rank:
Scout - #4, ESPN - #9, Rivals - #5, 247 - #2
6. Myles Turner, 7’0”, C, Texas
Actual: MPG:
22.9 PPG: 10.8 RPG: 6.6 BPG: 2.8 ORTG: 111.2 (24)
SI Projections: PPG: 12.3 RPG: 8.2 ORTG: 121
(21)
It’s been a tumultuous season in
Austin. One that started with high hopes has the Longhorns clawing for a NCAA
tourney bid. While Texas struggled in the Big XII, Myles Turner was named the
conference freshmen of the year and averaged almost three blocks per game. The
seven footer had four double-doubles on the year including a 25 point, 12 rebound
performance against TCU. He also hit 16 three’s on the year, although at just a
25% clip. Texas will need a strong showing in the Big XII conference tournament
in order for Turner to get a few more games on the national stage.
Rank:
Scout - #5, ESPN - #2, Rivals - #9, 247 - #7
7. Tyus Jones, 6’1”, PG, Duke
Actual: MPG:
33.1 PPG: 11.8 RPG: 3.7 APG: 5.7 ORTG: 124.7 (19.9)
SI Projections: PPG: 12.3 RPG: 3.6 APG: 4.9 ORTG: 117
(22)
As a high school sophomore, Jones was
labeled the best point guard in high school. Now in his first year in college,
Jones was handed the keys to the offense on day one in Durham. Jones received
high praise from his coach for his high level of play and was rewarded by being
named to the ACC All-Freshmen team. When the stage gets brighter for Duke,
Jones always manages to kick his game into another gear. On the road In Madison
he went for 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists and most recently in
Chapel Hill Jones scored 24 points to go with six rebounds, and seven assists.
As a junior, Jones was the No. 1 player in his class and while he took a slight
tumble at the end of his senior year (due to his NBA potential), Jones has
proved to be one of the best point guards in the game.
Rank:
Scout - #9, ESPN - #4, Rivals - #7, 247 - #8
8. Kelly Oubre, 6’7”, SF, Kansas
Actual: MPG: 20.4 PPG: 9.0 RPG: 5.1 APG:
0.8 ORTG: 111.1 (21.6)
SI Projections: PPG: 10.6 RPG: 4.4 APG: 1.2 ORTG: 117
(23)
Oubre’s early season struggles were well
documented, but the sinewy wing bounced back to put together a decent showing
in conference play. The 6’7” Oubre knocked in his three’s at a 37% clip and
scored in double figures in his last four conference games including a 12
point, 10 rebound against Oklahoma. The Jayhawks suffered an early loss last
year in the tournament and Bill Self will need Oubre to be on top of his game
from here on out.
Rank:
Scout - #7, ESPN - #11, Rivals - #6, 247 - #3
9. Justin Jackson, 6’8”, SF, North Carolina
Actual: MPG:
26.3 PPG: 10.1 RPG: 3.8 APG: 2.5 ORTG: 112.9 (19.3)
SI Projections: PPG: 13.1 RPG: 5.7 APG: 1.5 ORTG: 117
(22)
The ultra-thin Jackson started every game
for the Tar Heels and was named to the ACC all-freshmen team. He averaged 10.1
points during the year and had some very efficient games but also some games
where he disappeared and seemed to struggle with the physicality of the college
game. In his first ACC game Jackson scored 13 points on 6-8 shooting but then
later on he only played 17 minutes in a road loss to Duke going just 1-8. He
loves his floater and while it found the bottom of the net a fair amount of the
time, Jackson also seemed to rush it as well. The Texas native scored in double
figures in his last five games, but struggled from the three point line on the
season shooting under 25%. It was a solid regular season from Jackson, but it
was evident that he will need to add some weight for his sophomore season.
Rank:
Scout - #10, ESPN - #8, Rivals - #11, 247 - #9
10. Rashad Vaughn, 6’5”, SG, UNLV
Actual: MPG:
32.2 PPG: 17.8 RPG: 4.8 APG: 1.6 ORTG: 101.3 (28.9)
SI Projections: PPG: 16.0 RPG: 6.7 APG: 2.3 ORTG: 118
(23)
The high scoring Vaughn had his season end
early with a torn meniscus. While healthy, Vaughn averaged almost 18 points per
game, but shot just 44% from the field. It’s no surprise that Vaughn was a high
usage and low efficiency type player. He was given the freedom to shoot almost
any time he wanted at UNLV and while talented, he forced the issue at times
with no repercussions. Sometimes this was a good thing like when he scored 21
points in an upset of Arizona and sometimes a bad thing when he went 4-19
against Stanford and Temple. It looked like Vaughn was turning the corner
before his injury as he scored 30 points on 12-21 shooting against Colorado
State and then 18 points on 5-11 shooting in his last game. Vaughn definitely
wanted to be a one and done player, but will his injury keep him in school
another year?
Rank:
Scout - #8, ESPN - #19, Rivals - #8, 247 - #13
11. Kevon Looney, 6’8”, F, UCLA
Actual: MPG:
31.5 PPG: 12.3 RPG: 9.5 APG: 1.5 ORTG: 113.2 (20.8)
SI Projections: PPG: 10.1 RPG: 5.9 APG: 0.8 ORTG: 112
(21)
Looney wasn’t the top rookie in the PAC-12,
but he was certainly one of the top freshmen in the country. He started the
year with a bang and was often a lone bright spot on a UCLA team that struggled
in non-conference play. The Milwaukee native can be considered a stretch four
and he showed his ability to score inside and out (20-45 from 3PT). The second
team all PAC-12 player had his best game in a loss to Stanford with 27 points
and 19 rebounds and was a double-double machine in conference play. With his
versatility, Looney is looking like a likely lottery pick after one year in Westwood.
Rank:
Scout - #15, ESPN - #12, Rivals - #10, 247 - #11
12. Trey Lyles, 6’10”, PF, Kentucky
Actual: MPG:
21.9 PPG: 8.3 RPG: 5.0 APG: 1.2 ORTG: 114.4 (20.2)
Trey Lyles left high school as one of the
most polished offensive players. He could score with a variety of moves in the
post and had a nice touch on his outside jump shot. While playing on the
undefeated Wildcats, Lyles has continued to show his offensive skills while
playing both forward positions. He’s often played small forward and while he
lacks some lateral quickness he has been stellar curling around picks on the
offensive end for mid-range jump shots. Lyles has hit over 50% of his shots,
but struggles when he gets past 19 feet shooting just 14%.
Rank:
Scout - #11, ESPN - #16, Rivals - #13, 247 - #17
13. Justise Winslow, 6’7”, SF, Duke
Actual: MPG:
28.8 PPG: 12.4 RPG: 5.8 APG: 2.0 ORTG: 110.5 (22.2)
SI Projections: PPG: 10.1 RPG: 4.3 APG: 1.3 ORTG: 112
(20)
Just like Okafor and Jones, Justise Winslow
started for Duke from the first game. He began his career with five straight
double figure scoring games and was a match-up problem due to his strength and
quickness. His main weakness coming out of high school revolved around his
outside shooting, but he hit a three in each of his first 15 games. Winslow
struggled in January when Duke lost to N.C. State and Miami and scored just 12
points in four games. He came alive in a comeback win at Virginia and exceled
while playing the “four” for Duke. He started Duke’s comeback against North
Carolina in Durham and shot over 50 % in his final six ACC games.
Rank:
Scout - #12, ESPN - #15, Rivals - #12, 247 - #15
14. Isaiah Whitehead, 6’4”, G, Seton Hall
Actual: MPG:
27.8 PPG: 12.0 RPG: 3.9 APG: 3.5 ORTG: 90.8 (29.6)
SI Projections: PPG: 12.6 RPG: 3.9 APG: 1.9 ORTG: 109
(24)
Isaiah Whitehead was named to the all Big
East freshmen team; however he did not have the freshman of the year type
season that was expected out of the Brooklyn product. The 6’4” guard has a
picture perfect form on his jump shot, but just like Rashad Vaughn, Whitehead
took a lot of tough, contested shots and finished the regular season shooting
just 36% with an overall paltry 90.8 ORTG. Whitehead had two stellar back to
back games in December when he scored 48 points against Rutgers and Wichita
State on 17-30 shooting but he then missed nine games from late December
through January with an injury and never really regained his mojo in conference
play. He shot less than 50% in all of these February and March contests and
finished with just two points in his last match-up against Georgetown.
Rank:
Scout - #14, ESPN - #14, Rivals - #16, 247 - #10
15. Theo Pinson, 6’6”, SF, North Carolina
Actual: MPG:
13.7 PPG: 3.2 RPG: 3.4 APG: 1.7 ORTG: 104.5 (16.0)
SI Projections: PPG: 8.5 RPG: 3.8 APG: 1.1 ORTG: 112
(19)
It was tough sledding for the athletic
small forward in Chapel Hill this year. Coming off the bench, Pinson struggled
to make much of an impact on the offensive end. With an unorthodox shooting
motion, defenses sagged off and begged him to shoot outside jump shots (7-25
overall from 3PT). The high energy wing did not make it into double digits on
the season, but he did have his best game in a home loss to UNC. In the loss,
Pinson scored seven points (in a matter of minutes) to go with eight rebounds.
His confidence was at an all-time high giving Tar Heel fans a glimpse of the
Pinson’s potential. In late January Pinson suffered a broken foot and missed 10
games before coming back to play against Georgia Tech and Duke. The athleticism
is there for Pinson he just needs to work hard on fixing his shot mechanics.
Rank:
Scout - #19, ESPN - #10, Rivals - #17, 247 - #14
16. D’Angelo Russell, 6’5”, G, Ohio State
Actual: MPG:
33.4 PPG: 19.2 RPG: 5.6 APG: 5.2 ORTG: 116.2 (30.1)
SI Projections: PPG: 13.3 RPG: 4.5 APG: 2.1 ORTG: 109
(24)
While Okafor was the best player out of
this group, Russell had the most impressive rookie campaign. He was often
over-shadowed in AAU and high school play (Kasey Hill, Ben Simmons, and Joel
Berry), but the combo guard entered into the perfect scenario at Ohio State
with ample playing time awaiting him in Columbus. He didn’t disappoint going
for 16 points, four rebounds, and six assists in his first game and then adding
32 points and nine rebounds in his third game. At 6’5”, Russell used his combo
guard skills to sky rocket up the draft charts and into consideration for the
Big 10 player of the year talks. He led the conference in scoring and was
second in assists and tied for 11th in rebounding. Russell slapped
together a triple double against Northwestern and shot an outstanding 42% from
three on the year with his extremely quick release. Thad Matta probably thought
he was getting more than one year out of Russell, but it is safe to say that he
outplayed his high school ranking.
Rank:
Scout - #13, ESPN - #13, Rivals - #18, 247 - #30
17. Daniel Hamilton, 6’8” SF, UConn
Actual: MPG: 30.8 PPG: 10.8 RPG:
7.6 APG: 3.6 ORTG: 94.7 (25.5)
SI Projections: PPG: 10.3 RPG: 4.4 APG: 1.8 ORTG: 108
(22)
Hamilton did not turn out to be the most
efficient of players, but he often put together impressive stat lines. The Cali
native was named a unanimous selection to the American Athletic Conference
all-freshmen team and also picked up honorable mention honors as well. The 6’8”
wing had several double-doubles on the year including a 25 point, 13 rebound,
seven assist game against Memphis. He also shot a respectable 33% from behind
the arc.
Rank:
Scout - #21, ESPN - #30, Rivals - #14, 247 - #18
18. Tyler Ulis, 5’8”, PG, Kentucky
Actual: MPG:
22.9 PPG: 5.4 RPG: 1.7 APG: 3.6 ORTG: 120.4 (14.8)
Ulis was another steady riser in the high
school rankings and parlayed a strong senior season into becoming a Top 20
player. His numbers don’t jump out at you, but the diminutive guard was just
what Calipari needed coming off the bench for his undefeated Wildcats. As one
of the quickest guards in college, Ulis is a defensive pest that is allowed to
gamble and disrupts the other team’s offense when he picks up his man
full-court. He can get into the lane and has the ability to deliver pin point
passes to his teammates on the wing or big men down low. He would start for
most other teams in the country, but even though he averages just under 23
minutes a game he has certainly produced while on the court.
Rank:
Scout - #20, ESPN - #25, Rivals - #21, 247 - #20
19. Chris McCullough, 6’10”, PF, Syracuse
Actual: MPG: 28.1 PPG: 9.3 RPG:
6.9 BPG: 2.1 ORTG: 92.5 (21.3)
SI Projections: PPG: 9.3 RPG: 5.3 ORTG: 108
(23)
In a forgettable season for the Orange,
McCullough showed flashes off potential including a 20 point, nine rebound,
three block game in November against Iowa but then suffered a torn ACL as ACC
play began in January. The lanky big man scored in double figures in his first eight
games, but then finished his next eight games scoring in single digits. The
6’10” New Yorker averaged 2.1 blocks a game and will be a key cog next season
for Jim Boeheim.
Rank:
Scout - #18, ESPN - #24, Rivals - #19, 247 - #32
20. Devin Robinson, 6’8” SF, Florida
Actual: MPG: 19.1 PPG: 6.4 RPG:
2.9 APG: 0.7 ORTG: 94.8 (21)
SI Projections: PPG: 8.6 RPG: 4.2 APG: 1.2 ORTG: 112
(20)
The lanky wing was named to the all-SEC Freshmen
team after recording double figures in five of his last eight conference games.
While Robinson has good size for a wing, he will need some more time in the
weight room to realize his full potential. Robinson struggled from the floor
(as did Florida as a whole) and shot just 40% from the field and 25% from
three. Robinson was a late bloomer in high school and will most likely see a
big jump as a sophomore in Gainesville.
Rank:
Scout - #16, ESPN - #23, Rivals - #20, 247 - #24
21. James Blackmon, 6’4”, SG, Indiana
Actual: MPG: 30.1 PPG: 15.8 RPG:
5.3 APG: 1.4 ORTG: 114.2 (24.9)
SI Projections: PPG: 11.8 RPG: 3.9 APG: 1.9 ORTG: 108
(23)
James Blackmon was the best shooter in high
school and he certainly didn’t disappoint hitting 69 three’s throughout his
first year in Bloomington. The Hoosiers were looking for a scorer and Blackmon
fit that role. He scored 20 plus points in four of his first six games. He
finished 13th in the Big 10 in scoring and had one of his best games
against Minnesota when he poured in 24 points on 6-10 from three.
Rank:
Scout - #33, ESPN - #20, Rivals - #22, 247 - #12
22. Dwayne Morgan, 6’8”, F, UNLV
Actual: MPG: 17.2 PPG: 5.6 RPG:
3.0 APG: 0.4 ORTG: 86.0 (21.7)
SI Projections: PPG: 9.4 RPG: 5.2 APG: 1.3 ORTG: 108
(20)
Morgan has the honor of producing the
lowest ORTG of any top 25 player. The Baltimore native struggled early on in
conference play but looks to have found his groove as of late. In mid-January
to mid-February Morgan went just 5-30 over a seven game stretch before going
6-6 against Utah State. Morgan finished the year with two double figure scoring
games.
Rank:
Scout - #26, ESPN - #39, Rivals - #15, 247 - #25
23. Devin Booker, 6’5”, SG, Kentucky
Actual: MPG:
21.8 PPG: 10.9 RPG: 1.8 APG: 1.3 ORTG: 124.1 (21.3)
Devin Booker is another guard that has
vaulted up the NBA draft charts with a stellar first year. He finished the
regular season with a 124.1 ORTG and was also named the SEC Sixth Man of the
Year. The second leading scorer on the Wildcats finished the season shooting
43.6% from behind the arc and was routinely in double-figures for Kentucky. More
than just a shooter, Booker can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket
at times. In high school, Booker’s stroke was pure but he routinely struggled
to put together an efficient game like he is doing now pretty much all the
time. As a high usage AAU player, Booker shot just 43% from the field and 33%
from three but now at Kentucky he has come into his own and is a key cog for
the top team in basketball.
Rank:
Scout - #29, ESPN - #18, Rivals - #29, 247 - #22
24. Grayson Allen, 6’5”, SG, Duke
Actual: MPG:
8.1 PPG: 4.0 RPG: 0.9 APG:
0.4 ORTG: 124.5 (21.4)
Out of the top 25 players, Allen is the
only one to average under 10 minutes a game. The high flying guard started his
season off by scoring 18 points in his first game, but then became relatively
non-existent for a long stretch after that. He recorded numerous scoreless
games and DNP’s in December and had scored a total of just 10 points in
conference play while Rasheed Sulaimon was on the time. After Sulaimon’s
dismissal Allen’s playing time has increased and he scored a career high 27
points against Wake Forest and followed that up with seven points against UNC.
Allen was stuck to the bench for most of the season, but is starting to perform
as of late.
Rank:
Scout - #22, ESPN - #21, Rivals - #28, 247 - #39
25. Joel Berry, 6’0”, PG, North Carolina
Actual: MPG:
12.3 PPG: 3.5 RPG: 0.7 APG: 1.9 ORTG: 110.6 (15.6)
Similar to teammate Theo Pinson, Joel
Berry’s freshman season has not exactly gone to plan. Early on Berry struggled
to get minutes playing behind Marcus Paige and Nate Britt, but he did have his
moments which included a five point, four assist effort against Ohio State in
December. In ACC play, Berry has missed a total of eight games due to injury
and sickness and just recently recorded his first double-digit scoring game of
the year (15 points against Georgia Tech). His playing time also started to
increase as he became the first point guard off the bench for the Tar Heels but
only received seven minutes in a home finale against Duke. For the three time
Florida player of the year it was certainly and up and down first season
although glimpses of his ability to lead a team were certainly shown at times.
Rank:
Scout - #34, ESPN - #17, Rivals - #27, 247 - #50
1. Karl Anthony-Towns (TWolves) – You couldn’t ask for a better start
for the No. 1 pick. Two double-doubles and two wins to start the year. Towns scored
14 points on 6-10 shooting in a win against the Lakers and then went for 28 and
14 against the Nuggets going 11-19 from the floor. After just two games, it's amazing to think that Towns scored less than 5 points in almost 20% of his games at Kentucky.
