The Sun Belt Conference is certainly not well known to supporters, the names of the universities are certainly not the most popular ones but it is a fundamental resource for european basketball as every year it produces a considerable number of players capable of obtaining protagonists on the courts of the Europe. The names most familiar to Italian supporters will certainly be those of Frank Bartley (in Trieste in 2022/23 and top scorer) and Jordon Varnado (engaged in Pistoia) as well as the evergreen Adrian Banks. At the continental level we can report the various Augustine Rubit (Bayern Monaco), Ahmad Caver (Wolves Vilnius) as well as a rising star like Vince Cole (Yoast United and BNXT top scorer).
Won in 2023 by the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana this year too the conference has many players ready to embark on the overseas adventure, let’s get to know the names of the most interesting.
Taevion Kinsey (196 cm – 86 kg – Marshall) The fast game set up by Dan D’Antoni (yes, Mike’s brother) has exalted him allowing him to boast the title of MVP of the Conference, he will try to find a place in the NBA sphere thanks to his athleticism and ability to share the ball : 22.1 points with 5.4 assists and the stage to share with Andrew Taylor, another member of the first team of the Sun Belt who has decided to take advantage of the last year of eligibility by moving to Mississippi State instead of turning professional. READ THE PROFILE
Jordan Brown (211 cm – 102 kg – Louisiana) He exited the draft and would still have a season of eligibility, but this dancer of the sideline could decide to turn pro right now. Purebred scorer able to attack the direct opponent both thanks to his mobility and to an important physique, he tends to be too polarizing in attack and the percentages from beyond the arc do not reward him but the potential is really important: 19.3 points with 8.6 rebounding and 57.1% from the field and the Conference Tournament Player of the Year award then won by the Ragin’ Cajuns. READ THE PROFILE
Isaiah Moore (185 cm – 76 kg – South Alabama) It only took him a single season to conquer the nomination in the first team of the Sun Belt; after spending 4 years with Franklin Pierce in Division II he rose through the ranks with a sensational impact despite his declared problems with shooting from beyond the three-point arc. Heroic in the Conference final but his 33 points weren’t enough to enter the tournament. Season averages of 18.9 points and 4.7 assists. READ THE PROFILE
Felipe Haase (206 cm – 115 kg – Southern Mississippi) Massive point-forward with a very polite hand from outside where he reaches 40% on almost 5 attempts per game; he cannot guarantee great mobility but he is able to let the ball travel like few other big men coming out of the university world this year, inserted in the second team of the Conference thanks to 15 points per game, 6.1 rebounds and above all 3.2 assists. READ THE PROFILE
Zay Williams (206 cm – 88 kg – Troy) Long, slender and with an important elevation, he took away from Jordon Varnado the record for rebounds captured with the Trojans shirt; he has shown steady growth in recent years as he tries to add a shot from outside to his undoubted roller skills to his game. With his mobility he can defend practically against any type of opponent and this, despite his limited physicality, will make him attractive on the European market; averages of 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds to add the nomination in the second team of the Conference. READ THE PROFILE
DeAndre Pinckney (203 cm – 98 kg – Southern Mississippi) The perfect fit for the aforementioned mobile and athletic partner Haase is a concentrate of energy that he releases throughout the field. Good at moving off the ball, also good as a roller and has built a reliable shot from outside (35.9%). With a gladiatorial spirit and good rebounding presence, he ended up being nominated in the third team thanks to 14.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. READ THE PROFILE
Jamari Blackmon (183 cm – 84 kg – UL Monroe) Far from being the tightrope walker capable of making highly spectacular numbers, a substantial player capable of giving rhythm to the team and when needed, taking on responsibility as it should be for the leader of a group. Placed in the third team for his 13 points with 3.2 assists and his poisonous 38% from beyond the three-point arc. READ THE PROFILE
Kevin Samuel (211 cm – 116 kg – South Alabama) Giant from Antigua and Barbuda able to block access to the area to any opponent, nominated defender of the year for manifest superiority, he is a rim protector of absolute value (2.5 blocks per game) as well as practically impossible to physically move, good at moving without the ball has a sensational weakness: he shoots free throws with 26.8% (that’s not a typo!). Season averages of 10.1 points and 9 rebounds per game. READ THE PROFILE
Takal Molson (193 cm – 96 kg – James Madison) In a reality that has made team play and sharing its mantra, he has proven to be one of the technical and emotional leaders, reliable in construction and the Dukes’ second best scorer and rebounder, confirming his flexibility: 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists as well as a first-rate defensive impact. READ THE PROFILE
Antonio Daye (188 cm – 93 kg – Coastal Carolina) Full-back with a well-sculpted physique and excellent playmaking skills, a great first step that allows him to take advantage and then go to the rim or find his partner in a better situation while shooting from outside risks limiting him (32.8% in the season) and allows defenses to take some risks on the perimeter. Finished his collegiate adventure at 12.9 points and 4.4 assists per game. READ THE PROFILE
On ITALIAN BASKETBALL SCOUTING you can find hundreds of player profiles, including those of the MVPs of numerous European leagues (Belgium and the Netherlands, Finland, Iceland, Ireland and the finals of Latvia and Cyprus) as well as numerous top-scorers in the various leagues of the Old Continent (Denmark, Estonia, Belgium and the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary and Austria)