Ranking the Top 10 Australians in NCAA men's performers
Here's a look at some of the best performing Australian men in the US college D1 basketball scene this season so far.
Following on from Hayley’s wrap of our ever impressive women’s college talent, here’s ten of the best men’s performers so far this season.
Be prepared for a generous honourable mentions list - the breadth of talent having productive years this season is a long one!
1. Elijah Pepper (UC Davis)
21.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists (31.8 minutes per game)
It’s only recently that Elijah Pepper entered the Australian basketball consciousness, given he only called his birthplace of Shepparton, Victoria home for several years before growing up in the United States, but Pepper’s college production is nothing new.
Believe it or not, Pepper’s gaudy per game figures are actually a slight regression on last year’s numbers, where his 22.5 points per game ranked fourth in the entirety of Division 1 basketball.
Pepper may not possess the physical tools to translate his scoring proclivity to the NBA, but it would be a safe to assume NBL teams will be clamouring over the chance to add Pepper’s volume shooting and scoring to their roster next offseason, as the guard wraps up his final collegiate year.
2. Tyrese Proctor (Duke)
9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists (26.2 minutes per game)
Proctor was projected to explode in his sophomore season for Duke, following a strong run to end his freshman campaign, but inconsistency through both form and injury continue to disrupt the breakout party.
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