Top 10 Current Canadian NCAA Players
In my last column, where I ranked the top 10 All Time
Canadian NCAA players, I talked about the various dilemmas I faced rating
players. I found ranking the current NCAA players just as arduous a task.
Pick # 1 was the only easy one the rest of the prospective players are on
a similar level.
The varying
factors I had to consider were potential vs. performance, small school vs.
big school, and underclassman vs. upperclassman. Once again, Im sure Im
going to be hearing from readers telling me whom I missed. Let the e-mails
begin!
Up and Comers
Pierre
Altidors-Cespedes Sophomore - Gonzaga
Kyle Landry
Sophomore Northern Arizona
Antwi Atuahene
Sophomore Arizona State
Ryan Wright
Freshman - UCLA
Jevohn
Shepherd Freshman - Michigan
Maurice Joseph
Freshman Michigan State
Andy Rautins
Freshman Syracuse
Close but No
Cigar
Corey Muirhead
Senior Western Carolina
Shane James
Junior Loyola, MD
Jon Popofski
Senior Canisius
Jimmy
Balderson Junior - BYU
Tristan
Blackwood Sophomore Central Connecticut State
10) Steve Sir Senior Northern Arizona
Another Edmonton native, Sir played his first 2 years
at San Diego State before transferring to the Lumberjacks. Last year the
66 guard blossomed 14 points per game and 46.1% from behind the 3-line.
9) Majak Kou Junior Loyola, Ill.
Hamilton, Ontario native Kou also spent this summer on
the bronze medal winning Under 21 team. Despite only starting 3 games last
year for the Ramblers, Majak managed to post 10.6 points per game 3rd
best on the team. The 65 guard also had three 20 plus point games last
season.
8) Sefton Barrett
Junior Central Michigan
A lot is expected of the Brampton, Ontario native
Barrett this year at Central Michigan. The team doesnt have any seniors on
the squad and the coach is expecting the 66 wingman to step it up a notch.
Barrett did just that last season putting up 11.2 points and 5 boards per
game.
7) Russell Hicks Sophomore Pepperdine
Hicks was also a WCC All-Freshman Team member last
season. The 7-foot Niagara Falls native posted decent numbers with his 1.5
blocks being the most important of all. NBA draft websites are already
keeping an eye on the big man and the Waves hope that he becomes a
legitimate pro prospect.
6) Kingsley Costain Sophomore Pepperdine
The 57 Toronto sparkplug had a very successful
freshman season with the Waves. His averages of 7.4 points, 1.7 boards, 1.8
assists and 39.5% from behind the arc were good enough to earn him WCC
All-Freshman Team honors. He spent the summer playing a big role for
Canadas Under 21 Team and will be expected to play a bigger role for
Pepperdine this season after the departure of a couple of key players from
last season.
5) Mohamed Hachad
Senior Northwestern
Montreals Hachad ended last season with a bang for
the Wildcats 7 straight double figure scoring games, including 23 points
and 9 boards versus Illinois in the last game of the year. Mo was second on
the team in steals last year (1.4 per) and also put up 8.6 points and 4.4
boards per game. A solid player in a more than solid conference, the Big 10.
4) Levon Kendall Junior Pittsburgh
The Vancouver natives pick to this list is based on
potential and the fact that he plays for a good team in the Big East. Plus,
the fact that he posted a 40 point, 12 board game against the U.S. Under 21
team this summer helped him out quite a bit! The Panthers hope that the
confidence, and experience, he gained this summer playing for the Under 21
squad, and later on, the National Team will transfer onto the NCAA court.
With the departure of Chevon Troutman and Chris Taft, Pitt needs the
versatile 69 player to improve on his 3.5 points and 2.5 board averages
from last season.
3) Jermaine Bucknor Senior Richmond
Last season was a big one for Edmonton, Alberta native
Bucknor. He pretty much doubled all of his offensive stats 29 minutes,
10.9 points and 5.6 boards per game for the Spiders. He also posted two
double-doubles (points and boards) not bad for a wing player. He was a
member of the Canadian National Team this summer also.
2) Jermaine Anderson Senior Fordham
Anderson has seen his stats, and importance to the
Rams, rise each year at Fordham. The Toronto native put up averages of 33
minutes, 12.7 points, 2.5 boards and 2.5 assists per game. He also hit 73
three pointers at a 38 % clip. Anderson also stepped his game up a notch
this summer competing with the Canadian National Team.
1) Denham Brown Senior - UConn
Toronto native Brown is currently heads and shoulders
above all other Canadian players in the NCAA. A highly touted recruit coming
out of high school - a 111 point game, including 16 three pointers, will do
that. Since he has arrived at Connecticut he has seen himself sharing court
time, and the ball, with several NBA lottery picks. He has also seen himself
win a National Championship and had his numbers increase each year to last
years averages of 10.4 points and 4 boards per game. With the rate that
Huskies players are getting arrested these days, a lot is expected of Brown
this year. Along with his NCAA experience, Brown has plenty of international
exposure being the go to scorer on the Canadian National Team for the past
few years. Still considered a possible NBA 2nd round pick next
year, this year is a make it or break it one for Brown.
