The college basketball season is on and off a bit right now with games moving forward and a flurry of games being postponed and/or cancelled periodically. Unfortunately this is the COVID-19 reality we’re currently dealing with across the board. That being said, when the games have moved forward a handful of high caliber prospects are elevating up the draft boards and delivering electric performances to start the season. Here’s a quick look at five standouts through the first few weeks of the collegiate season…
Mandatory Credit - Jalen Suggs main page Photo courtesy of GOZAGS.COM
FIVE EARLY STANDOUTS
Jalen Suggs – PG – Gonzaga (Minnesota)
A pre-season projected first round pick on most boards, Suggs has already put himself in serious conversation to be the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft should he declare after a number of electric performances. Equipped with explosive athleticism, excellent strength, instincts, etc. Suggs has been the most watched player in the country already and he’s trending up. A highly skilled lead guard who can score and create at any level or in any flow, Suggs is averaging over 13 ppg close to 7 assists and 5 rebounds a contest while shooting 56 percent from the field for the #1 team in the country. He’s been outstanding.
Evan Mobley – F – USC (California)
If Suggs is 1A or 1B in the 2021 NBA Draft projections then Mobley is the other one. A 7 foot 210 pound forward who drips with potential, Mobley is averaging close to 18 points a game and 9 rebounds a contest while shooting 61 percent from the field for the 4-1 USC Trojans. Firmly established for some time now as an NBA lottery pick when he declares, Mobley is primed to be a top 2 pick in next year’s draft if he decides to come out and his play so far this season has continued to evidence why he’s held in such high regard. His best basketball lies ahead at the next level, which is scary considering how good he currently is.
Ayo Dosunmu – PG – Illinois (Illinois)
No player in America right now is a testament to what hard work and trusting the process is than this talented junior guard. Equipped with excellent physical tools and explosive athleticism, Dosunmu has made himself a dominant floor general with determination, effort, and hard work. A fill the box score guard, Dosunmu is averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists a contest while shooting almost 54 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc. He’s been simply outstanding and should project as a lottery pick in the 2021 NBA draft if he continues to perform this consistently.
Cade Cunningham – G – Oklahoma State (Texas)
A hard working blue collar tough talent, this freshman stayed the course with his commitment at Oklahoma State and he’s been outstanding early on. Averaging 19 points 6 rebounds and 4 assists per contest while shooting 48 percent from the field, Cunningham has been the catalyst for the 6-0 start for the Cowboys. One thing Cade does that no one can ever dispute, he wins with consistently and he produces with consistency. There’s significant value in that and his overall character and toughness is off the charts. A projected pre-season top 3-5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft should he declare, Cunningham has supported that projection with a strong early season effort so far.
Quentin Grimes – SG – Houston (Texas)
An electric 6-5 plus scoring guard, Grimes came home to Houston and he’s been outstanding for the undefeated Cougars to start the season production wise. Averaging 18 points a game 7 rebounds and 2 assists per contest, Grimes has been a big reason why Houston sits at 4-0 with a top 10 national ranking. Coach Sampson has this thing going in Houston and Grimes is yet another reason why. Grimes production combined with that of Marcus Sasser, Tramon Mark, etc. makes the Cougars one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball early on this season. If Grimes can take his efficiency to the next level moving forward, he's going to be a serious problem for opposing teams.