'09-'10 Preseason NCAA Player Rankings: Small Forwards

Today we discuss part three of five of the '09-'10 Preseason Player Rankings. These rankings are centered around the top small forwards in the nation going into next season.

1. Al-Farouq Aminu

Aminu could have been classified as a small forward or a power forward because of his skill which is a testament to his versatility as a basketball player.

Aminu was one of the top freshmen in the nation last year and at 6'9" he has the potential to improve his game to become one of the top players in the country his sophomore year.

Aminu is coming off a freshman campaign that saw him average 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. His rebounding numbers were the best in the nation among freshman small forwards.

He was third in scoring on a Wake Forest team that finished 24-7, including spending time at No. 1 in the country.

Aminu returns to a Wake Forest team that has been ravished by NBA entries. Both James Johnson and Jeff Teague have entered their names into the 2009 NBA Draft, with only Teague eligible to return.

If Teague returns Wake Forest immediately becomes a preseason top 20 team because of their balance offensively, athleticism, and length defensively.

2. James Anderson

As a shooting guard in a small forwards body, James Anderson was one of the premiere scoring forwards in the country last season. He averaged 18.9 points for the season including 14 games of 20+ points.

Anderson improved from the previous year more than any small forward in the country. Anderson improved on his scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage, and three point percentage.

These improvements lead me to believe that Anderson is again working to improve on his weak areas—dribbling and defense—to become the best player he can be.

Anderson will once again be the go-to-player on an Oklahoma State team that will feature a freshman point guard, Raymond Penn, and will include many other young contributors.

3. Raymar Morgan

This Canton, Ohio native lead his Michigan State Spartan team all the way to the National Title game last season because of his leadership and determination.

Despite suffering a broken nose earlier in the season, Morgan played through it and recorded two double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament before falling short to North Carolina.

Morgan took a step back statistically last season from his first two, partially because his season was decimated by injury.

Morgan returns to school for his senior season and will be perhaps the best player on a preseason top five team.

His athleticism and potential at the next level lead me to believe that he will have a career year for the Spartans, the premiere team in the Big Ten next season.

4. Devin Ebanks

Ebanks, like Aminu, could have been considered both a small forward or a power forward in these rankings because of his wide set of skills.

Ebanks is a bruiser in the post as well as swift with the ball and calm with it in his hands.

Last season for West Virginia Ebanks averaged 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, very well rounded for a freshman in the Big East.

Ebanks had some of his best games against top competition, which leads me to believe that with another year of maturity and mental growth Ebanks could have those type of games against all competition.

Next season West Virginia will be loaded and Ebanks will be one of the reasons they are considered a top 10 preseason team.

The New York native will be the top interior and outside force for the Mountaineers next season.

5. Robbie Hummel

Last season, Robbie Hummel was one of the most complete basketball players in the country regardless of class.

But as only a sophomore he displayed the uncanny ability of always making the right decision despite the situation.

This beyond-his-years maturity has led Hummel to having an already stellar all around game and gives me the feeling that he will blossom in his junior year.

Hummel needs to improve on his post game and defensive ability in order to take the next step in this upcoming season.

But Hummel will be one of the integral pieces on a stacked Purdue team next year. A team that has a chance to go to the Final Four because of players like Hummel.