Surprise Stars Shine in College Basketball's Early Season Shake-up
November 21, 2024Adou Thiero from Arkansas has emerged as a standout player this season, significantly increasing his scoring and overall contributions after transferring from Kentucky.
Gonzaga is currently ranked among the top teams in college basketball, with Ryan Nembhard playing a pivotal role through his effective leadership and offensive orchestration.
Nembhard has been particularly impactful, averaging 12.2 points and 9.4 assists, showcasing a remarkable assist-to-turnover ratio.
The 2024-25 college basketball season has already seen early surprises, with major programs like Alabama, Duke, and Houston suffering unexpected losses.
Labaron Philon from Alabama has shown significant improvement since high school, averaging 12.8 points and contributing on both offense and defense.
Thomas Sorber of Georgetown has exceeded expectations as a freshman, demonstrating strong rebounding and scoring abilities while adapting well to college-level play.
John Tonje from Wisconsin has been a standout for the Badgers, averaging 22.6 points and recently scoring 41 points against Arizona, helping the team to a perfect 5-0 record.
Tonje, a sixth-year grad transfer, is recognized for his scoring ability, efficiency at the free-throw line, and strong defensive presence.
Otega Oweh from Kentucky leads his team in scoring and steals, showcasing both offensive efficiency and defensive prowess in a deep rotation.
Emerging players across various teams have made significant impacts, highlighting unexpected star potential early in the season.
However, some anticipated transfers, such as AJ Storr (Kansas), Kadary Richmond (St. John's), Cliff Omoruyi (Alabama), and Johnell Davis (Arkansas), have yet to meet expectations.
Summary based on 1 source
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CBSSports.com • Nov 21, 2024
Six breakout surprises of the college basketball season: 'If there are 20 better players ... show me'