21. Jaden Shackleford Alabama
Shackleford had another strong season for Alabama in his sophomore season being part of their dynamic offense. First off, Shackleford has the ability to play on and off the basketball. Next, his shot-making from the perimeter is really good with 34.2% from three especially off the catch. The improvement for Shackleford would be his consistency in making plays off the dribble with more control and limiting turnovers. Additionally, he is a major threat in transition as a spot shooter from the perimeter. Further, he is capable of getting downhill to the basket and when he gets there finishes well, his ball skills to get to the rim are the next step in his game. The best ability of Shackleford is playing off the basketball being able to get in the position to be the shot maker he is. As for defensively, he needs to improve his activity off the basketball being a better help defender. Also, his activity on the basketball needs to take the next step forward to be a better perimeter defender. Jaden Shackleford will be one of the best scorers in college basketball next season.
22. Eli Brooks Michigan
Brooks had a very good season for Michigan being very productive on the offensive and defensive end. Furthermore, Brooks elevated his game as a scorer being able to get to the mid-range and basket effectively off the bounce with head fakes and footwork. Next, he has very good finishing ability around the rim his soft touch on drives. Also, Brooks is really good from the perimeter especially off the catch shooting 39.6% from three. Additionally, he plays with great feel and body control being able to make plays in the lane effectively, and has the ability to be a good distributor for others. Continued, he plays with good physicality being able to attack opposing guards effectively. The overall efficiency and productivity of Brooks are really good being a major key for Michigan’s success. As for defensively, he is one of the country’s best perimeter defenders against the opposing team’s best guards. Further, he plays with really good activity and physicality on the basketball. Eli Brooks will be one of the best players in the Big Ten looking to lead Michigan towards a deep NCAA tournament run.
23. Will Richardson Oregon
Richardson had a very solid junior season despite missing a good portion of it with a broken wrist. Furthermore, his shot-making ability is really good from the perimeter at 40.3%. Next, he can attack in transition and get all the way to the basket effectively. Additionally, he has a really good feel with the basketball allowing him to attack effectively and get into the lane with great control. As well as, being able to play through contact at the rim constantly getting back to his left hand. Also, he is really solid in ball screen action looking to score the basketball and being a very solid distributor. Continued, he is good on the boards for a guard and sets the pace well in transition. Furthermore, he plays well off the basketball being a constant threat as a shooter and driving the basketball. Now defensively, he is solid on the basketball with good activity and has solid size. He could improve his activity off the basketball being more engaged and forcing turnovers. Will Richardson will be one of the best guards in college basketball entering next season.
24. Jaime Jaquez Jr. UCLA
Jaquez Jr. had a very good sophomore season for UCLA being a large part of their run to the Final 4. Now, Jaquez Jr. does a very good job of getting in the lane and utilizing his footwork to navigate to get great looks at the basket. Continued, he is really good off the dribble attacking the rim strong, and being efficient as a finisher at the basket. Next, he is very effective as a catch-and-shoot player from the perimeter at 39.4% from three. Also, he plays with really good toughness being able to play through contact consistently. Additionally, he plays well off the basketball getting set as a shooter, and cuts well to the basket. Jaquez Jr. has the ability to be a three-level scorer and the size to make tough contested shots. Now defensively, he plays with good effort and has the size to guard multiple positions. He could improve his lateral movement to be a stronger perimeter defender. Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be one of the best wings in college basketball and be a part of a really good UCLA team going after a National Championship.
25. David McCormack Kansas
McCormack had a very solid Junior season for Kansas being one of the best bigs in the country. Now, McCormack gets very solid post positioning being able to get high percentage shots, and uses his physicality very well against defenders. Furthermore, Kansas sets up McCormack very well with post pins giving him the automatic position to take advantage of defensive rotations. Continued, McCormack is solid in ball screen situations diving to the rim as a viable option. Next, he is really good in transition with duck in opportunities getting him in great scoring areas. His touch around the basket could also improve as there is inconsistency with him shooting 51.5% from the field. Also, he does a good job of reposting giving multiple efforts for positioning. As well as, being a factor on the offensive glass with his rebounding ability. As for defensively, he is very solid around the basket with protecting the rim and his post defense. He could improve his mobility out the perimeter in ball screen situations. David McCormack will be one of the best bigs in the country next season for Kansas looking to win the Big 12.
Images Courtesy of, Alabama Athletics, Oregon Live
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