With the new calendar year starting, it’s a good time to check in on how the freshmen are progressing to this point. A full scouting report is pretty meaningless at this point in the year, as young players tend to all go through similar cycles in their first year. Freshmen often have an advantage in the early part of the season, with opponents not really sure what they will be up against. As more film becomes available, coaches will be able to devise plans to stop them. The third part of the cycle is the most important, and often where freshmen separate themselves – learning from how teams are defending them, and adjusting, as well as adding new wrinkles to their game. By April, it is then more appropriate to do full scouting reports on freshmen.
Here is Part Two of the two-part look at the top freshmen:
D’Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
Russell has had a tremendous impact on Ohio State’s strong start to this season, giving them one of their best scoring options over the past few years. Russell presents a versatile threat, able to knock down long-range jumpers or create for himself or his teammates off the dribble. At 6’5, his size allows him to see over defenders when looking to get into the lane, and he has shown some good vision and passing ability. Russell is dangerous in transition, with the ability to push the ball and distribute, take the ball to the rim, or stop and hit the long-range jumper. Defensively, Russell is inconsistent, but when he is locked in, he elevates the Buckeyes’ defense immensely. He has good instincts on the defensive end, and has the speed and length to jump passing lanes well, especially when Ohio State is in a zone. He is also an active rebounder for his position.
What he needs to improve: Russell’s biggest issue right now is a familiar one for freshmen – he makes some really poor decisions. Whether it’s shot selection or driving right into help defenders, Russell needs to make better choices. The good part is he should grow out of it, but it is something to watch an eye on in the second half of the season. Another key area Russell needs to work on is getting to basket and finishing. Right now he either looks to make a pass early, or he’ll be forced away from the basket by help defenders and force a wild shot. He needs to get stronger and not shy from contact. Defensively, he has to find a consistent level, especially when playing in the zone. Russell has to know that it doesn’t always have to be about creating a turnover. Containing perimeter players is just as important. Russell has pro-level skills on the offensive end, but he needs to still focus on the smaller parts of the game to improve.
James Blackmon, Jr., SG, Indiana
Like Russell has been for Ohio State, Blackmon has given Indiana a major offensive threat that was much needed. Blackmon’s strength is as a spot shooter, where he has NBA range and no fear of any shot. He has a quick release and good lift, so even against taller defenders, he seems to get good shots off from the perimeter. Blackmon is also a good scorer in transition, usually running one of the wings where he can spot up behind the arc for an open look. He is an average defender at best, but he works hard and does a good job trying to get into passing lanes and tracking balls to rebound.
What he needs to improve: Blackmon has to become a versatile offensive player. He’s a high level shooter, but without adding other parts to his game, he is going to have a hard time as he progresses. Over 46 percent of Blackmon’s shots are three-point attempts, but it’s not bad when you are shooting 41 percent. Blackmon has shown some ability using screens to get to the basket and score, but he isn’t as good in isolation. He shoots 87 percent from the free throw line, but he just doesn’t get there enough to make teams pay. He needs to look to get to the basket and not shy from contact. Defensively, Blackmon has to work on his lateral movement and keeping his hands and feet active. That will come with experience. He is far from a finished product, but he needs to work on these things before the next level.
Rashad Vaughn, SF, UNLV
Vaughn has provided UNLV with a strong wing scoring option early on this season, scoring in double digits in 11 of the Rebels’ first 13 games. Vaughn has good size on the wing combined with high athletic ability. He has shown a versatile offensive arsenal early in his career, but he is at his best when he’s looking to get to the basket. Vaughn is good when using screens to create space from his defender, but he has shown flashes of being able to take his man in isolation. If he gets a little space, he is capable of some spectacular finishes, as well as being able to use some finesse. Defensively, Vaughn doesn’t stand out, but he has the physical ability to become a good defender.
What he needs to improve: Vaughn is a scorer, but he is still having some trouble adjusting to tougher defenses at the college level. His jumper is inconsistent, though when it’s working, he has a high, quick release, and good range. Vaughn’s ability to get to the basket can be hampered by shaky ballhandling, and if he does get there, he can be a bit wild or take a bad shot to avoid contact. He needs to build a mid-range shooting game to help him create more opportunities, especially instead of settling for covered long-range jumpers. Defensively, Vaughn needs to just work harder to contain his man on the perimeter, or not lose his man off the ball. It’s about basics for him right now. I have little doubt that Vaughn could be a quality scorer at the next level, but his overall game isn’t close to ready. He will have a good opportunity over the next few months to work on some key areas.
Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Long and athletic, Looney has been one of the bright spots in a rough early season for UCLA, averaging a double-double. He is a fantastic rebounder, especially on the offensive boards, where he uses his length and speed for his size to a great advantage. Looney is an improving scorer around the basket, especially off those offensive rebounds, but the rest of his offensive is a giant work in progress. Looney’s biggest impact is on the defensive end, where his length helps defend the rim, and his athletic ability allows UCLA to use him in a versatile way.
What he needs to improve: The list of where Looney needs to show serious improvement would take a long time, but there are some key areas will be critical going forward. His offense is limited, even though he likes to be aggressive and take chances. In the right match-up, he can take a defender off the dribble to the basket, though he isn’t a strong enough ballhandler to do it often. Looney also has shown that he can knock down mid-range jumpers, though he doesn’t seem very confident in the shot. Developing physically will be important, as he doesn’t have the strength or footwork to be an efficient post scorer. Looney does a very good job drawing contact around the basket, but he is shooting less than 65 percent from the free throw line. Looney has the raw ability and length which will be attractive to NBA teams, but his game is nowhere near ready to deal with the physical ability of pro players.
Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
Poeltl wasn’t a big name heading into the season, but the Austrian native has made an impact with his skill on both ends of the floor for the Utes. The seven-footer has shown a very good affinity to the pick-and-roll game, where his good hands and feet allow him to get smoothly to the rim for an easy basket. Poeltl has also shown some ability as a traditional back-to-the-basket post player, including very nice touch in the lane. He has a good understanding of court spacing, and how to use the space to put his defender at a disadvantage on cuts to the basket. Defensively, he is fundamentally sound, and he has a good knack for blocking shots.
What he needs to improve: Poeltl has a lot of traits which are appealing for a college big man, but he doesn’t have the body yet to always use them effectively. In the post, his footwork is definitely solid for his age, but he needs to work on using his body better to create separation with his defender. Also, he has some trouble scoring against longer defenders, and added strength will help him there too. Poeltl uses shot fakes well to draw defenders in the air and get contact, but he is a poor free-throw shooter. The same goes for anything really outside of 8 feet. Some big games early in the season had his name put in the conversation of top freshmen, but and while he may be more skilled than many, he doesn’t have the physical ability yet to compete with a lot of them. He is on the right track though, and with some physical maturity, he has solid pro potential.
Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas
Alexander came into college with a lot of hype, but his production hasn’t been anywhere near that level, yet. He has an NBA body already, and he has the strength to create problems around the basket on both ends of the floor. You can’t give Alexander space around the basket, because he will dunk on you. He is a very good rebounder on both ends of the floor, using his body well to create space. Defensively, he loves to battle against bigger players, and he uses his body well to force players away from the basket. Alexander is capable as a secondary rim protector, and his aggressiveness on defense can be an asset at times.
What he needs to improve: Alexander came into college having dominated physically at the high school level. He has found things to be a bit more difficult in college on both ends of the floor. His offensive skill set is limited, especially in the post, where he needs to develop some go-to moves. Alexander seems to have good form on his jumper, though he doesn’t show it in games, but it will be important for him to do so going forward. Defensively, Alexander has had some problems adjusting to players who don’t mind playing physical with him, and he doesn’t have the footwork to handle quicker players in the post or on the perimeter. Like many freshmen, Alexander has the raw tools to be a good player at the next level, but he needs to show he can be a real force at the college level before he should even think about the NBA. Coach Self has developed similar players in the past, and if Alexander buys in, he should come away a much better all-around player.
Kelly Oubre, Jr., SF, Kansas
After seeing his minutes limited early in the season, Oubre has earned more time in the last six games for the Jayhawks, including putting up a pair of 20-point games. After taking just 23 shots in Kansas’ first nine games, he has taken 45 in the last four. Though his offense has been limited as a whole, he has shown some versatility with both the ability to attack the rim and knock down jumpers. Oubre has the athletic ability to get out in transition, and he can be a strong finisher at the rim. Defensively, Oubre uses his length well on the perimeter to disrupt passing lanes or force ballhandlers to take wide angles around.
What he needs to improve: Oubre has a lot of physical ability and a decent skill level, but his understanding of the game, especially reading and reacting to defenses needs a lot of work. He should be able to get to the rim often, but he needs to work on his ballhandling ability. He likes to use screens on the perimeter, but he can be slow to make reads and will look to just force his way through defenders. While a good spot shooter, especially from long-range, teams will start to key on this and he should look to add a mid-range game off the dribble. Defensively, he is well on his way to being a solid defender and just needs to clean up his footwork and awareness. Oubre shines when he is playing well, but he hasn’t shown that he can do it consistently yet. There’s a good foundation here for the future, but still a lot of work to be done.
Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
After a strong start to the season, McCullough has had some problems, especially on the offensive end. A strong athlete with very good length, McCullough is at his best when he can use that to his advantage, because his skill level just isn’t there yet. He runs the floor very well for his size, and he will likely have more than a few spectacular dunks in his career. He is a good offensive rebounder, using his length well to get to missed shots and getting up another chance quickly. Defensively, his size is used well in the Syracuse zone, though, fundamentally, he is still learning and can make some poor mistakes. He is active and his length can be disruptive around the basket or on the perimeter, and he has shown some good instincts looking to help around the basket.
What he needs to improve: As I mentioned, he still has some fundamental issues on both ends of the floor. His offense is limited to offensive rebounds, or catching passes around the basket, though he has the ability to take defenders off the dribble if he has some space. He needs to get stronger to finish around the basket better, especially if he is going to drive, and his ballhandling, while decent for his size, needs work. Over the last months, teams have been able to force him away from the basket, and he has had a lot of trouble. He has the size to get good looks in the mid-range area, but he needs to improve his shot mechanics, especially not floating in his motion. The NBA continues to move towards more long and athletic players, and McCullough seems to fit that, but he needs to work on getting his skill set in shape first.