Ranking the Top 10 Players to Watch in the 2016 Final Four
Don’t bother scouring the 2016 NBA mock drafts for information on the players you’ll see in the Final Four this weekend in Houston.
You won’t find any.
Unless, of course, you’re looking for the skinny on projected lottery pick Buddy Hield. But by now you probably know everything about him anyway.
Other than Hield—Oklahoma’s star senior sharpshooter—not one player in this year’s Final Four is expected to be selected in the first round of this summer’s NBA draft. That’s according to DraftExpress, arguably the country’s most reputable website on such matters.
Still, even though Villanova, North Carolina, Syracuse and Oklahoma aren’t stocked with surefire NBA millionaires the way Duke, Kentucky and Wisconsin were last season, there are still plenty of players worth watching this weekend besides Hield.
Here are 10 of them, ranked according to the impact they've had for their teams this season, with an emphasis on tournament games.
10. Malachi Richardson, Syracuse
1 of 10
The Orange wouldn’t be in the Final Four if not for Malachi Richardson, who scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half of Sunday’s come-from-behind victory over No. 1 seed Virginia in the Elite Eight.
As impressive as the performance was, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim knew the 6’6” freshman was capable of big things when he signed him out of Trenton, New Jersey, a year ago. Richardson hardly played like a first-year collegian in 2015-16, ranking second on the team in scoring (13.3 points) despite shooting a mediocre 36.4 percent from the field.
A big wing with NBA potential, Richardson is a slasher who can also shoot the three. In two games against Syracuse's Final Four opponent, North Carolina, this season (both losses) Richardson averaged 13 points.
9. Daniel Ochefu, Villanova
2 of 10
The Wildcats have a high-level rim protector in Daniel Ochefu, a senior who swats an average of 1.5 shots per contest and alters plenty of others.
Even though he’s never been viewed as a big-time scorer, the 6'11", 245-pound Ochefu is no slouch with the ball in his hands down low. He’s averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game and has enough post moves to capitalize when a weaker or smaller defender guards him. Just ask Kansas, who 'Nova eliminated in the Elite Eight.
Ochefu also leads Villanova in rebounds with 7.6 per contest. On a less balanced team, his numbers—in all categories—would likely be higher.
8. Kris Jenkins, Villanova
3 of 10
At 6’6” and 240 pounds, Kris Jenkins would be a wing/small forward in most systems. But he plays power forward for Villanova, which makes him a tough matchup for opposing post players because of his ability to operate outside of the paint.
A junior, Jenkins has made more three-pointers (94) than any player on the Wildcats and is shooting a career-best 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. In a Sweet 16 win over Miami, Jenkins—using his normal shooting form—swished a three-pointer from the NCAA decal at half court.
While Josh Hart has been Villanova’s best all-around player throughout the season, Jenkins has been the team’s top performer in recent weeks. He’s averaging 19.1 points in his last 12 games, considerably higher than his overall average of 13.5.
7. Jordan Woodard, Oklahoma
4 of 10
The Sooners’ point guard ranks second on the team in scoring with 13 points per game and has been particularly hot during the NCAA tournament.
In victories over CSU Bakersfield, Virginia Commonwealth, Texas A&M and Oregon, Jordan Woodard averaged 16.8 points and connected on 11 of his 19 three-point attempts.
Chemistry can’t be overvalued at this point in the season, and the backcourt of Woodard, Buddy Hield and Isaiah Cousins certainly has it. The trio has started 104 consecutive games, and although Hield commands most of the headlines, Woodard has come up big numerous times too.
6. Justin Jackson, North Carolina
5 of 10
Although he’s been inconsistent at times, Justin Jackson, a sophomore, is regarded as the top NBA prospect on North Carolina’s roster. DraftExpress predicts the 6’8” small forward will be a late first-round selection in 2017.
A former McDonald’s All-American, Jackson boasts exceptional ball-handling skills for a player of his size. He has a soft touch on his jumper and has one of the best floaters in all of college hoops.
Jackson enters Saturday’s semifinal against Syracuse having scored in double figures in 14 of his last 15 games. He’s averaging 13 points in four NCAA tournament contests.
Jackson, who was home-schooled, is no doubt excited that the Final Four is in Houston, which is only about an hour from his hometown of Tomball, Texas.
5. Michael Gbinije, Syracuse
6 of 10
At 6’7”, 200 pounds, Michael Gbinije is one of the toughest guard matchups in college basketball because of his size and length.
The junior shoots a respectable 40.1 percent from beyond the arc and has the ability to pull up from mid-range. He is shooting 46.8 percent from the field overall.
Along with leading the Orange in scoring (17.6 points per game) and assists (4.4), Gbinije is an elite defender who averages 1.9 steals per game. He is averaging 16 points in Syracuse’s four NCAA tournament wins and has reached double figures in all 36 of his team’s games this season.
4. Marcus Paige, North Carolina
7 of 10
A combo guard, Marcus Paige’s scoring stats have gone down each of the past two seasons. His field-goal percentage has too. The senior is shooting just 39.6 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Still, don’t discount Paige’s importance to this squad. He is still the leader—both on and off the court—for the Tar Heels, who are quick to get the ball in Paige’s hands during late-game situations, as he makes 77.5 percent of his free throws.
Paige touts 1,810 career points, but his true legacy will be guiding North Carolina back to the Final Four and, perhaps, to an NCAA title for the first time since 2009.
3. Josh Hart, Villanova
8 of 10
Josh Hart has shown marked improvement during his Villanova career and is now regarded as the top overall player for the Wildcats, who are in the Final Four for the first time since 2009.
Regarded as one of college basketball’s top slashers, Hart enters the Final Four ranked first on the team in points (15.3) and second in rebounds (6.7). He also has a nice touch from mid-range.
Hart shoots 50.6 percent from the field but only 35.3 percent from three-point range. He’s one of four players who are averaging double figures for a balanced, veteran Villanova squad that won’t overwhelm opponents with athleticism and talent but will impress with chemistry and cohesion.
2. Brice Johnson, North Carolina
9 of 10
A first-team All-American selection by Bleacher Report, Brice Johnson is the main reason the Tar Heels are the favorite to win their first NCAA title since 2009. The senior leads North Carolina in points (17.1), rebounds (10.5) and blocks (1.5).
Johnson has posted 23 double-doubles and has scored in double figures in 35 of 38 games. A 6’10”, 230-pounder, he runs the court well for a big man and has a nice touch on his shot. He’s connecting on 61.6 percent of his field goals.
During his first three years, Johnson often drew the ire of Tar Heels coach Roy Williams for his inconsistent play. But that’s hardly been an issue during his final college season, when the light has clearly come on for Johnson, who is averaging 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds in four NCAA tournament games. He averaged 15 points and seven rebounds in North Carolina’s two regular-season wins over the Syracuse Orange, who he'll face Saturday.
1. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
10 of 10
No player in college basketball has captured America’s attention quite like Buddy Hield, whose 25.4-point scoring average and performance under pressure earned him National Player of the Year honors from Bleacher Report.
Although he’s good in transition and decent at creating off the dribble, Hield is most dangerous from long range. He has made 46.5 percent of his three-point attempts—a figure that’s even more impressive when you consider he’s hoisted 314 of them. Hield has surpassed the 25-point barrier 18 times and is averaging 29.3 points through four NCAA tournament games for the Sooners, who are appearing their first Final Four since 2002.
Known as much for his smile as his shot, Hield’s story is one of the most inspirational in college basketball. As a child growing up in the Bahamas, he learned to shoot hoops by nailing a milk crate to a light pole in the dirt road outside of his house.
Hield moved to the United States to pursue his basketball dream the summer before his junior year of high school, and he once slept on a hotel-room floor after playing poorly in a road loss. He didn’t think he was worthy of a bed.
Hield vowed to Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger that he’d help the Sooners win an NCAA title before he graduated. Now, in his final college season, Hield is just two victories away from living up to his promise.
Jason King covers college sports for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JasonKingBR.
.jpg?w=600 "Former President Crashes Cowboys Presser")
