2nd Team All-Americans
2nd Team:
PG Juwan Staten, West Virginia, Sr.
Staten is a do-it-all point guard on a team that could be really good this year. West Virginia is 7-0 with wins over Boston College and UConn. Staten became their best player last year, averaging over 18 ppg and about 6 rpg and 6 apg. He can rebound pass, drive and shoot the three. West Virginia could push Texas and Kansas for the Big 12 title, and they will definitely need Staten if they want to contend for a Big 12 title.
PF Georges Niang, Iowa State, Jr.
Niang was the third best player on Iowa State last year, after Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, but still managed to average 16.7 ppg, as well as 4.5 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game. His production has only gotten better this year, as Ejim and Kane have graduated. Niang may be the best shooting big man in the country. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor, and he also is a great passer. Although he is labeled as a power forward, he really spends a lot of his time on the perimeter instead of down low. He is a star, but Iowa State needs some new players to step up besides Niang, Dustin Hogue and floor leader Monte Morris.
SF/PF Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, Jr.
Yes, a second Wisconsin player. Wisconsin is just that good. Kaminsky and Sam Dekker form the best down low tandem in basketball (college, at least), and that doesn't even include Nigel Hayes, who is one of the top young scoring big men in the country. Dekker is the best athlete on the Wisconsin team, and the only really highly rated recruit on the team, which is surprising because they are a top 5 team. Dekker can dunk, and is a versatile big man, just like Kaminsky. He may be slightly undersized, but his athletic ability puts him up there with bigger guys.
SG Ron Baker, Wichita State, Jr.
Baker is one of the best shooters in the country, but many people don't understand that he isn't just a shooter. He can drive, he is a great athlete, and has a solid mid-range game. Although he is often teased for his "sixth grade haircut", his hair is the opposite of how he plays. Baker is one of the most fundamentally sound players in the country, and is a mature player who has had significant experience on two incredible teams. He played on a Final Four team, as well as a team that didn't lose a regular season game. That is pretty impressive experience for any player, and this just adds to his great ability on the floor.
C Jahlil Okafor, Duke, Fr.
Okafor is one of the best low post big men college basketball has seen in the last 20 years. Guards and versatile inside out big men have controlled college basketball for years. Okafor is known for his great poise and passing ability down low (to me it seems like he would have fit better on Kansas, and Cliff Alexander would have fit better on Duke). Anyways, Okafor is an amazing percentage shooter (I wouldn't be surprised if he shot 60% this year). He is one of the top freshmen I have seen in years, maybe better than Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins, and should lead Duke to at the very least a Sweet 16 appearance (Coach K can't post two disappointing NCAA tournament performances in a row, right?).
PG Juwan Staten, West Virginia, Sr.
Staten is a do-it-all point guard on a team that could be really good this year. West Virginia is 7-0 with wins over Boston College and UConn. Staten became their best player last year, averaging over 18 ppg and about 6 rpg and 6 apg. He can rebound pass, drive and shoot the three. West Virginia could push Texas and Kansas for the Big 12 title, and they will definitely need Staten if they want to contend for a Big 12 title.
PF Georges Niang, Iowa State, Jr.
Niang was the third best player on Iowa State last year, after Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, but still managed to average 16.7 ppg, as well as 4.5 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game. His production has only gotten better this year, as Ejim and Kane have graduated. Niang may be the best shooting big man in the country. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor, and he also is a great passer. Although he is labeled as a power forward, he really spends a lot of his time on the perimeter instead of down low. He is a star, but Iowa State needs some new players to step up besides Niang, Dustin Hogue and floor leader Monte Morris.
SF/PF Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, Jr.
Yes, a second Wisconsin player. Wisconsin is just that good. Kaminsky and Sam Dekker form the best down low tandem in basketball (college, at least), and that doesn't even include Nigel Hayes, who is one of the top young scoring big men in the country. Dekker is the best athlete on the Wisconsin team, and the only really highly rated recruit on the team, which is surprising because they are a top 5 team. Dekker can dunk, and is a versatile big man, just like Kaminsky. He may be slightly undersized, but his athletic ability puts him up there with bigger guys.
SG Ron Baker, Wichita State, Jr.
Baker is one of the best shooters in the country, but many people don't understand that he isn't just a shooter. He can drive, he is a great athlete, and has a solid mid-range game. Although he is often teased for his "sixth grade haircut", his hair is the opposite of how he plays. Baker is one of the most fundamentally sound players in the country, and is a mature player who has had significant experience on two incredible teams. He played on a Final Four team, as well as a team that didn't lose a regular season game. That is pretty impressive experience for any player, and this just adds to his great ability on the floor.
C Jahlil Okafor, Duke, Fr.
Okafor is one of the best low post big men college basketball has seen in the last 20 years. Guards and versatile inside out big men have controlled college basketball for years. Okafor is known for his great poise and passing ability down low (to me it seems like he would have fit better on Kansas, and Cliff Alexander would have fit better on Duke). Anyways, Okafor is an amazing percentage shooter (I wouldn't be surprised if he shot 60% this year). He is one of the top freshmen I have seen in years, maybe better than Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins, and should lead Duke to at the very least a Sweet 16 appearance (Coach K can't post two disappointing NCAA tournament performances in a row, right?).
Waiting for the 3rd team ...
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