Most Surprising Freshmen?
Some have come in and produced from the opening tip like Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State and UNLV's Anthony Bennett. Some have struggled, part of this was expected, while others, well, not so much as in the two very different cases of UCLA point-forward Kyle Anderson and the still-developing centers from Kentucky Nerlens Noel and Baylor Isaiah Austin. And then there's the impact freshmen that are producing at a high level and crucial to their teams' respective success so far this season. Let's take a look at some of these players:
Jordan Adams, UCLA
A lot has been written about Adams, the Bruins wing, thus far and rightfully so. He has turned himself into the most productive player of UCLA's storied recruiting class after being the least heralded of the group. Scouts have noticed and some believe Adams could be a second-round pick right now. The 6'5", 220 pound shooting guard carried the team in Shabazz Muhammed's ineligibility-caused absence, leading the team with 24 points per game in the three wins and just 14 points per game in the five games where UCLA is 2-3 since Muhammed's return. Adams has shown a solid shooting stroke, knocking down 37 percent of his 3-point attempts thus far and over 90 percent of his free throw attempts.
Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke
We were high on the super-athletic combo-guard before he ever suited up for the now, #2 ranked Blue Devils, but now he is proving his worth to the country. As veteran guard Andre Dawkins redshirted this season, minutes opened up for Sulaimon and he has taken advantage of every little bit of it; he is averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, giving Duke another perimeter weapon alongside Seth Curry and a penetrating guard to dump the ball to Player of the Year candidate Mason Plumlee.
Nik Stauskas, Michigan
We had some reservations on the Wolverines entering the season- they were perimeter-oriented last season and lost their top three scoring options from this area from a year ago, leaving the cupboard essentially empty. But Stauskas has greatly improved Michigan as a stout sniper, hitting 21 of his 33 attempts, 64 percent from behind the arc, serving as a deadly kick-out option for Trey Burke and TIm Hardaway's penetrations.
T.J. Warren, N.C. State
Warren, a 6'8" combo-forward, was a high-level recruit, but was probably a year away given the talent returning to Raleigh for the Wolfpack. But his instant production made him impossible to keep out of NC State's lineup and he has arguably been the team's most consistent player to date, averaging 13 points and 4 rebounds. Even though NC State has not lived up to their lofty expectations as a team, Warren has shot onto many scouts' radars with his play.
Ben McLemore, Kansas
McLemore is a redshirt freshman, still qualifying for this list and may be the best of the bunch in terms of production and NBA future. At 6'5" and a freak athlete, McLemore could potentially end up being a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft if he so chooses to leave school. McLemore involves himself in all aspects of the game (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 asists per game), but needs to be a more consistent scorer, especially from the perimeter.
Semanj Christon, Xavier
Christon has been the best player in the A-10 so far this season and is a key reason why the Musketeers, who lost major contributors from last year's team, will contend for a league crown this season. After coming off the bench in his first collegiate game, Christon has started the last five, averaging 19 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 12 - 6- 12
