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Big Ten: 5 Freshman Making An Immediate Impact In 2016-17

By Casey Pazzalia

Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Amir Coffey (5) dribbles in the second half against the UT Arlington Mavericks guard Erick Neal (1) at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Amir Coffey (5) dribbles in the second half against the UT Arlington Mavericks guard Erick Neal (1) at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Amir Coffey, Minnesota

After winning only eight games all of last season, the Golden Gophers are surprising everyone in 2016-17.

Through 18 games, they’re right in the middle of the Big Ten title conversation and a potential shoo in for the NCAA Tournament.

Although, the Gophers have plenty of great players, it is a freshman who is leading the way.

That freshman is Amir Coffey, a 6-foot-8 swingman who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors on Jan. 10.

https://twitter.com/GopherMBB/status/818949034907942912

Despite receiving offers from big-time programs like Michigan State, Arizona and Wisconsin, Coffey chose to stay right at home in Minnesota to play college basketball. No surprise, as Coffey’s father, Richard, was a basketball legend in the Twin Cities during the late 80s and early 90s. The elder Coffey played four years for Minnesota’s college basketball team, followed by one year in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It must be noted that Amir and Richard aren’t the only two ballers in the Coffey family. Amir’s sisters, Nia (Northwestern) and Sydney (Marist), both scored over 1,000 points in their Division 1 college basketball careers.

So far, Amir Coffey has followed in his father’s footsteps nicely. In fact, his freshman season looks better statistically than any of his dad’s college years.

With his long reach and amazing athletic ability, the four-star recruit seems to be involved in every single play. He is currently averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the 15-3 Golden Gophers.

More hoops habit: 25 Best Players to Play for the Minnesota Timberwolves

When it comes to the eye test, you can definitely see Amir Coffey playing in the NBA one day.