The Pac-12 conference is no more stranger to “one-and-done” players than any other conference in the nation, and for good reason.
Stanley Johnson and Aaron Gordon of Arizona and Kevon Looney of UCLA are three of the Pac-12’s seven freshmen drafted into the NBA over the last three years. In each of the last three NBA drafts, the first Pac-12 player chosen was a freshman.
No freshman is in the running for Pac-12 Player of the Year, an award a they haven’t won since Kevin Love of UCLA in 2008, but the battle for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year is tighter than the Pac-12 Player of the Year.
Here’s a list of the potential candidates in no particular order:
FRONTRUNNERS
Dejounte Murray, Guard, Washington: While teammates Andrew Andrews (Pac-12-leading 20.5 ppg) gets the press clippings, Murray is the reason for Washington’s success. He averages 14.8 points per game [ppg] and team-highs 6.1 rebounds per game [rpg] and 4.6 assists per game [apg].
His offensive game is what makes him so dangerous. Not only does he have the ability to hit the three, he can drive and draw a foul or kick out to an open Andrews. Murray has three games with more than 25 points, including a Pac-12 freshman-high of 34. The only knock against Murray is the frequency with which he turns the ball over (3.4 turnovers per game [tpg]).
Jaylen Brown, Forward, Cal: Brown leads PAC-12 freshmen in scoring with 15.8 ppg. The only reason that number isn’t higher is because of his slow start, in which the Golden Bears had to figure out their hierarchy of scoring. However, Brown has found his niche, averaging a team-high 18 ppg over his last 10 games. Mostly a slasher and finisher, Brown needs to work on his 3-point shooting (28.4 percent) and cutting down turnovers (3.0 tpg) to help Cal take the next step forward.
Alfonzo Trier, Guard, Arizona: Trier is trying to become the third consecutive Wildcat to win this award. Much like his predecessors, he’s doing so with a very nice all-around game. He averages 14.3 ppg, but Trier makes this list because he’s the best defender on the Pac-12’s second best defense. He sat out seven games with a hand injury, but before he averaged 18.3 ppg over his previous eight games. Taking some time to find his groove again is expected. If Trier can get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury, don’t be surprised if he takes home the hardware.
CONTENDERS
Tyler Dorsey, Guard, Oregon: Dorsey was the early-season favorite to win the award, but he has struggled lately with the emergence of Dillon Brooks. Dorsey’s scoring average (12.7 ppg) has dipped throughout the year, but his 3-point shooting prowess (41.3 percent) still makes him very dangerous. He posted double-digit scoring in 14 of his first 16 games, but has only done so in four of his last eight games. His 29.2 minutes per game (third among Pac-12 freshmen) might be leading to his decline in scoring.
Ivan Rabb, Forward, Cal: Rabb has been great as Cal’s only low-post threat on the year, and his 12.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg prove that. He has scored double-digit points in 19 of his 25 games, grabbed double-digit rebounds in nine games and leads all Pac-12 freshmen with eight double-doubles. Brown may be the better overall freshman on Cal’s team, but Rabb is the most important freshman. As long as he continues to play well, Cal will be dangerous come March.
HONORABLE MENTION
Aaron Holiday, Guard, UCLA: 10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.7 apg
Bennie Boatwright, Forward, USC: 12.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 35.4 3-point percentage
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka
Loaded freshman class makes for tight race for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
Ryan Kostecka
February 15, 2016
The Pac-12 conference is no more stranger to “one-and-done” players than any other conference in the nation, and for good reason. Stanley Johnson and Aaron Gordon of Arizona and Kevon Looney of UCLA are three of the Pac-12’s seven freshmen drafted into the NBA over the last three years. In each …
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