Jimmer Fredette vs. Kemba Walker: Tale of the Tape

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Junior guard Kemba Walker and senior guard Jimmer Fredette are having fantastic seasons so far this year.

Either one of the two has a possibility to win Naismith Player of the Year. Both players are essential to their teams.

Both players are the heart and soul of their teams. The question is, who is the better player? Here is a breakdown of both players and what they bring to their respective teams.

Kemba Walker

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Height: 6'1"

Class: Junior

Minutes per game: 35.8

Field goal percentage: 45 percent

Three-point field goal percentage: 36 percent

Free throw percentage: 83 percent

Rebounds: 5.3 per game

Assists: 4.0 per game

Steals: 2.1 per game

Turnovers: 2.2 per game

Team rank: No. 5 in the nation

 

PROS

Walker has a motor that doesn't stop running. A Big East guard who is in talks of winning the Naismith Player of the Year award, Walker has stepped up his game against some elite talent this year, putting up big numbers against Michigan State (30 points) and Pittsburgh (31 points). 

Walker is showing NBA scouts that he isn't just a scoring guard. He is distributing the ball as well this year. For a small guard, Walker shows heart banging down low with the the rest of the fellas. He is averaging a career high in rebounds.

A pesky defender, Walker can be a pain to the opposing team. Averaging two steals a game, he loves playing defense. Not too many players can keep up with Walker, which puts him at the top of the chain as one of the nation's best players.

Walker can get to the rim with ease and draw fouls from the opposing team. He has the ability to finish at the rim and draw fouls. Walker is shooting a career high from the free throw line.

 

CONS

There is not that much going wrong with Walker's game this year. He needs to protect the ball a little bit more. Walker's style of play is usually under control but at times can get distorted when he is trying to do too much.

UConn has only had two losses this season. In those losses, Walker's combined shooting was 18-of-50. Both games were off nights for Walker.

Jimmer Fredette

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Height: 6'2"

Class: Senior

Minutes per game: 33.9

Field goal percentage: 47 percent

Three-point field goal percentage: 41 percent

Free throw percentage: 90 percent

Rebounds: 3.4 per game

Assists: 4.4 per game

Steals: 2.1 per game

Turnovers: 2.9 per game

Team rank: No. 9 in the nation

 

PROS

Another player who is a contender for the Naismith Player of the Year, Fredette has the tools that a lot of guards don't have. You have to respect Fredette's shooting ability, which makes him scary. He is a solid guard who loves to play the game.

Fredette won't wow you with his dribbling or style of play. He is posting career highs in points per game and free throw percentage this year. BYU has one loss this year against, which was against UCLA. There haven't been too many off nights this year for Fredette.

Fredette is everywhere on the court. If you subtract Fredette from BYU's team, then who knows how good the Cougars would be this year? Against Utah this year, Fredette put up 47 points. His second 40-point game of the year came against Colorado State. Fredette finished with 42 points.

 

CONS

Fredette plays in a subpar conference. Most of BYU's games have been double-digit wins. Fredette needs to protect the ball just a bit more. Some scouts think his game isn't built for the next level.

A lack of speed, size and athleticism will be the question Fredette has to answer when the NBA combine camps come around after the season.

Walker Has the Edge

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

If it came down to one player to pick, Walker would have to have the slight edge over Fredette.

Fredette is really good, there is no denying that, but Walker has proven against tougher competition that he can get things done.

Fredette plays in the MWC, which makes you question, if he was in the Big East, would he be able to put up those numbers?

There is just that special ability about Walker that stands out. It could possibly be the Bronx, New York toughness or just the will to win by any means necessary.

We are about halfway through the season, and both stars will continue to shine. Come March we will see which player steps up in the Dance.