Top freshmen talent to the Mountain West Conference
Now that there is less than three weeks to go before the new college basketball season kicks off, it is time to forecast some of the top newcomers to the general public. Sure, guys like Jayson Tatum at Duke, Josh Jackson at Kansas, and Dennis Smith at NC State have received a ton of praise from the national media, but who might be some of those flying under the radar, that, with the right opportunity presented to them, could immediately jump out and become a well talked about name?
The Mountain West Conference has seen better days but there is still some talent budding from the league. Thanks to the consistent, steady play and success at San Diego State and reworked and talent infiltrating programs at Nevada, Fresno State, and New Mexico, there is some optimism about the depth of the conference moving ahead. Whether you want to place the league under the high-major umbrella, or as a mid-major league, that is up to you but regardless, we take a look at some of the top incoming talent from the 2016 recruiting class and those that could produce straight out of the gates this winter.
TROY BAXTER 6-FOOT-8 POWER FORWARD – UNLV
We tried to stay away from placing two freshmen on the same program here but what Baxter does, can do, and the opportunity presented to him at UNLV is just too good to pass on. The former South Florida commit is one of the best athletes from the 2016 recruiting class and while he is more of a tweener forward that is just now developing his jumper and handles, now is the perfect time for Baxter to flourish within today’s basketball. A perfect combo forward type that can create major mismatch options and also defend various spots on the hardwood, there is at least 25 minutes per game available for Baxter and in an up-tempo system that Marvin Menzies is expected to throw out onto the playing floor, look for the Oldsmar Christian graduate to shine within the MWC and beyond.
CHEICKNA DEMBELE 6-FOOT-10 CENTER – UNLV
There will be no shortage of minutes on the table for kids to step up within the UNLV basketball program this winter but it is Cheickna Dembele, a late signee for new head coach Marvin Menzies, which might be the breakout freshman out in the desert. A super hard playing center that tracks as one of the better upside prospects in all of the Mountain West Conference, by the time conference time rolls around, look for the African big man to have parts of his team’s offense be run through him on the low block. Strength gain is in need but word out of UNLV is that he has already gained over 20 pounds of muscle mass and with the motor and elite length already in tow, Dembele will be a major factor for the success of the new regime set to begin out in Sin City.
JALEN MCDANIELS 6-FOOT-8 POWER FORWARD – SAN DIEGO STATE
Federal Way , WA
A late blooming forward out of the state of Washington, while the learning curve may be steep for Jalen McDaniels, by the time the new year rolls around, the freshman forward for San Diego State could be the X-factor for another run into March for Steve Fisher’s program. Strength gain will be crucial for the west coast recruit but the super long bodied forward is someone that can stretch the defense with the perimeter jumper, put the ball on the floor off of the straight line drive to the basket, and has the length and quickness to guard various spots. Add it all up and McDaniels could become a vital piece to the season ahead for Steve Fisher’s crew out on the west coast.
KOBY MCEWEN 6-FOOT-2 GUARD – UTAH STATE
In what was one of the better coups of the 2016 recruiting class, Koby McEwen said no to several high-major suitors and decided he would spend the next four years at Utah State. Attending Wasatch Academy, a program located within the state, it sure didn’t hurt USU’s proximity to the Canadian native last year as McEwen should reward Tim Duryea and his staff right from the start. Not an explosive athlete but more of a tough-nosed and crafty combo guard, McEwen will be leaned upon for his polished, three-level scoring prowess. The shot opportunities will be there and as time goes by, look for the 6-foot-2 guard’s efficiency to improve and for his name to pop up on the MWC all-conference teams moving ahead.
NOLAN NARAIN 6-FOOT-9 POWER FORWARD – SAN DIEGO STATE
San Diego State is a program that has rested its success on the talents of its upperclassmen stars. This year though, outside of Valentine Izundu and Zylan Cheatham, the Aztecs will place some trust in two freshmen that sport a bevy of upside and versatility in the frontcourt. We already spoke on the potential of Jalen McDaniels and while the upside is promising with the Washington native, the day-one production might be better expected from Nolan Narain. After enrolling a year early and redshirting last year, Narain should step in and help on the glass but also in his ability to score the ball out to 17-feet. Already having put on solid muscle mass and with a sturdy skillset already in the hopper, look for the Canadian forward to make a name for himself early on within the MWC and become a go-to option for SDSU as the years progress.
DEVEARL RAMSEY 5-FOOT-10 POINT GUARD – NEVADA
An absolute bullet in the open floor, Devearl Ramsey was a massive steal for Eric Mussellman’s crew last year. Sure, he isn’t the biggest of lead guards around but the California native has been well schooled on the travel and high school circuits. His toughness and quickness is difficult to beat where he is set up nicely where there are pieces already on the table for the 5-foot-10 lead guard to succeed early on at Nevada. Thanks to a slew of impact transfers and the return of NBA Draft prospect Cameron Oliver, if Ramsey can buy into solely acting as a playmaker first, then the impact that he will leave could enable for a potential NCAA Tournament bid in March.
OTHERS OF NOTE:
Nate Grimes, 6-foot-8 forward – Fresno State
Alex Hobbs, 6-foot-4 shooting guard – Boise State
Damien Jefferson, 6-foot-5 small forward – New Mexico
William McDowell-White, 6-foot-4 point guard – Fresno State
