The college game will see a great influx of talented freshman wings this year headlined by Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum. The two big-time recruits are undeniable pro prospects, but where exactly do they rank among the college best small forwards this year? Find out below as we list down the top 10 small forwards for the 2016-17 college basketball season.
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Top 10 Small Forwards in College Basketball
10. OG Anunoby – Sophomore, Indiana
An unheralded recruit heading into college, Anunoby broke into the scene with some strong performances in the NCAA tournament, and is now considered a potential NBA lottery pick.
Anunoby’s offensive skills are still very raw, but his immense length, athleticism, and defensive ability make him a very intriguing prospect, not to mention a major X-factor in Indiana’s quest for a national champion. The Hoosiers are priced at +3,000 to win it all this year.
9. Miles Bridges – Freshman, Michigan State
Tom Izzo historically hasn’t relied on freshmen even in the era of one-and-done, but this season will be a different story. He will have to rely on stud recruit Miles Bridges to carry the Spartans offense after the loss of Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes.
Bridges, though, definitely looks capable of rising up to the challenge. He’s the No. 8 player in this freshman class per ESPN. He’s well-built at 6-foot-7, 230 lbs., and possesses some uncanny athleticism. It likely won’t take too long for him to make Big Ten defenses miserable.
8. Trevon Bluiett – Junior, Xavier
Bluiett was the star performer for a Xavier team which made it up to the top-5 in the AP Poll last season. And this year, the junior is also expected to be the main man in the Musketeers’ run toward a possible Final Four berth.
Bluiett continued to improve on his three-point shooting last year as he shot 39 percent on six attempts per game. With a bit more development this year, Xavier’s +2,500 odds to win the national championship have an even better shot of paying out.
7. Nigel Hayes – Senior, Wisconsin
Hayes’ junior season was disappointing to say the least. He averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds, but he shot an appalling 37 percent from the floor as the Badgers’ No. 1 option. However, don’t rule out a bounce-back season from him in his senior year. If his jump shot isn’t falling, he still has a very effective post game to fall back on.
But for the Badgers to return to title contention, or even win the whole thing like they’re priced at +1,400 to do, they’ll need a strong showing from Hayes.
6. Malcolm Hill – Senior, Illinois
If this is the first time you’re hearing Malcolm Hill’s name, then it’s best you don’t forget it. The 6-foot-6 wing led Illinois with 18 points and 6 rebounds last season, and was a huge reason why the Illini even made it to 15 wins. It’s shaping up to be another long season for the Illini, but watching Hill fill it up in his senior year will be fun to watch.
5. Justin Jackson – Junior, North Carolina
This could finally be the year for Justin Jackson to shine. The lanky 6-foot-8 forward has had to take a backseat to the likes of Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige offensively in his first two years, and has averaged a modest 11 points and 4 rebounds as a result. But this year the Tar Heels are expecting him to finally break out in his junior year and fulfill his five-star potential.
4. Jaron Blossomgame – Senior, Clemson
Blossomgame’s game blossomed in a big way in his junior year, as he led Clemson with 19 points and 7 rebounds per game. Everyone knew about the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder’s strength and physicality, but he also flashed an improved perimeter game which saw him go an impressive 44 percent from beyond the arc on 3.3 attempts per game.
With Jordan Roper gone, even more responsibility will be placed on Blossomgame’s shoulders to carry the Tigers offense. But that likely means even gaudier numbers, and a possible First-Team All-American place.
3. Jayson Tatum – Freshman, Duke
Playing the Jabari Parker to Josh Jackson’s Andrew Wiggins in this loaded freshman class is Duke recruit Jayson Tatum. Tatum doesn’t quite have Jackson’s hops, but his game is a bit more polish at this stage of their careers. He’s a much better shooter, and can facilitate the offense thanks to his fine handles and vision.
With Duke’s continued lack of a true point guard, Tatum will likely get significant time playing point forward for Coach K. That means there will be a lot of pressure on Tatum’s young shoulders to lead Duke to another national championship, which they are +300 favorites to win.
2. Josh Jackson – Freshman, Kansas
Just a few years after Andrew Wiggins, Bill Self got himself another uber-prospect at small forward with Josh Jackson, the No. 2 ranked player in this recruiting class per ESPN. Jackson has terrific size for a 3 at 6-foot-8, and has the elite athleticism to match.
Jackson’s inconsistent jump shot will be an issue in what will surely be his lone season in Lawrence, but that likely won’t prevent him from dominating on his way to being a high NBA lottery pick.
1. Dillon Brooks – Junior, Oregon
Oregon is expected to do big things this season – the Ducks are +1,000 national title contenders – and Dillon Brooks is expected to be at the center of it. The junior led the Ducks in scoring (16.7 points) and assists (3.1) last season as they claimed both Pac-12 titles and made it all the way to the Elite Eight.
The Ducks will need to tread water without their star small forward, who injured his foot in preseason and is expected to miss the start of the year. But when Brooks finally makes it back on the court, there likely won’t be a better 3 in the country.
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