A list of 10 rookies you need to know it’s my personal shortlist that I recommend to every basketball insider. You can find everything you need – floor generals, sharpshooters, combo forwards and inside players with athleticism and physicality – if you want to read all the scouting reports you can SUBSCRIBE to Italian Basketball Scouting. Have a pleasure read and don’t miss THE HIDDEN GEMS OF NCAA II and THE SHINING LIGHTS OF THE SUN BELT
Ryan Larson (185 cm – 79 kg – Charleston) In the record season for the Cougars, the ability of this point guard was decisive, able to take the rhythms and responsibility in the decisive moments of the games, he’s a clutch player. Fast on his legs and in reading, he has excellent playmaking skills (4 assist in 28′) which he combines with a first step capable of opening the defenses while in shooting from beyond the arc he must find the percentages of previous years (down from 38% to 31% out of 5.3 attempts per match) READ THE PROFILE
Joe Bryant (185 cm – 95 kg – Norfolk State) Not very tall but with an important physicality that allows him to attack the glass with great energy, able to find the basket from the dribble in every situation, has a deep shooting range (37% for 3P on 5.7 attempts) and despite not having good playmaking skills is very effective in pick and roll situations by finding the right timing to serve his teammate (3.1 assists). Shot selection isn’t always the best but as a scorer it can guarantee great satisfaction READ THE PROFILE
Myles Burns (198 cm – 95 kg – Ole Miss) After four years as an absolute dominator at the NAIA level, he moved to Ole Miss where his leadership, particularly in the defensive half, made him a player who deserves great attention. A combination of athleticism, mobility and competitive spirit that make him useful for every roster being able to occupy multiple roles with his versatility. He must work for a shot from beyond the arc (18% in the last season) and find better offensive consistency to reach higher levels but the potential is very interesting READ THE PROFILE
Keaton Hervey (201 cm – 91 kg – Oakland) Athletic player with a good hand from beyond the three-point arc (40.5% on 2.7 attempts) which make him a perfect combo forward with outstanding 3&D skills. He moves well off the ball, has good timing when cutting to the basket and guarantees invaluable help even on rebounds (6.7 per game) and in defense thanks to his energy. He doesn’t have an incredible talent and great play readings but the combination of athleticism, energy and maturity (born in 1998) make him ready right away READ THE PROFILE
Morris Udeze (203 cm – 108 kg – New Mexico) A concentrate of power as can be confirmed by the ten double-doubles recorded during the season. Inside player, very physical with an evident warrior spirit that leads him to look for contacts near the basket where he is an excellent finisher (61% from the field) but he needs to improve his ability to move off the ball and expand his shooting range . In defense he can also change on the perimeter as well as guaranteeing an important number of rebounds (9.6 on average) READ THE PROFILE
Kenny Dye (183 cm – 86 kg – Queens) Without any doubt he is one of the most underrated point-guards among future rookies, he is a floor general with clear leadership skills who are able to take responsibility when necessary. Good at involving his teammates (4.8 assists) but also at starting his own business directly from the dribble (16.4 points) alternating elegant floaters with long-range shots (36% from 3P out of 4 attempts). He doesn’t have a great physique but he’s solid enough, he can be a great deal of value for money given the little hype around him READ THE PROFILE
Qua Grant (185 cm – 86 kg – Sam Houston State) MVP of the WAC in his last year in college, he is a handler with strong scorer skills especially from the dribble thanks to an incisive first step. He shoots quite well from beyond the three-point arc (36% on 4.5 attempts) and has a good assists/turn-over ratio (+1.7) thanks to his ability to find shooters on the perimeter by crossing the side of the game. Very fast hands even in the defensive phase, he steals almost 2 possessions per match but doesn’t have the physicality to be a factor in his own half READ THE PROFILE
Courvoisier McCauley (196 cm – 96 kg – Indiana State) Physically he is solid, not an off the charts athlete but mobile and capable enough to make him a versatile player. The main course is without any doubt shooting from beyond the arc (38% out of 8.5 attempts per match) both on spot-up and out of the screens good at being found in the right place thanks to a marked ability to move off the ball. In defense he is a valid presence guaranteeing rebounds (5.5 on average), steals (1.2 per game) and the ability to be able to limit any type of opponent READ THE PROFILE
K.C. Ndefo (201 cm – 90 kg – Seton Hall) A concentrate of energy that rose to prominence thanks to the magical exploits of St. Peters in the 2022 NCAA tournament. Undersized but with important skills as a rebounder and rim protector, in defense he is useful for those who want to switch in any situation given his lateral mobility. Few resources in terms of scoring, he confirmed his good passer skills (1.5 assists) which make him very effective in short rolls but his shooting from outside is still too far away to be affordable (20% with 5/25 in 33 games ) however it has big margin for growth to discover READ THE PROFILE
Josh Roberts (206 cm – 100 kg – Manhattan) Mobile, athletic and with a well-sculpted body that makes him a presence capable of impacting near the basket. He does not have a shooting range beyond the area, his job is to screen and then wait near the glass where he is a solid finisher between dunks and easy lay-ups and guarantees important numbers such as second chances (3.3 offensive rebounds per match). Best defender of the MAAC thanks to his rim protector skills (1.9 blocks), he is agile and mobile enough to be able to do some deep shows and not just protect the basket READ THE PROFILE