Kemba Walker and the 15 Best Natural Scorers in College Basketball
Go to the dictionary and there is no definition for natural scorer. There are no qualifications a basketball player must meet in order to be called such.
A natural scorer is simply a guy who, whenever he gets the ball, wherever it is on the court, the other team and its fans immediately think to themselves, "Oh no, anyone but him." This thought is magnified by about a thousand when it's a tight game.
In the pro game, Kobe Bryant—and for the "older" guys, Michael Jordan—would be the picture next to the definition. This is what I believe a natural scorer is.
After speaking with some peers, I also came to the conclusion that the player must be solely known for his ability to score and not something else such as rebounding or being a defensive stopper. Thus, guys like Jared Sullinger from Ohio State or Terrence Jones from Kentucky do not qualify in my book, as they are virtual double-double machines.
Certain qualifications I made up eliminate certain players: The scorer must lead his team in scoring (sorry, Kyle Singler) and be able to score from more than just one area on the floor (ditto, Jon Diebler). They must also fit the bill of opposing fans wincing whenever they get the ball in fear of what may happen.
Honorable Mention
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Here are 10 players who just missed the list but should definitely be mentioned as some of the last guys you'd want to see on the opposing team with the ball in their hands.
Again, these are guys who specialize in scoring only, though some may put up solid numbers in other categories.
Brandon Knight, Kentucky
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
Gary Flowers, Southern Miss
Tu Holloway, Xavier
Trey Thompkins, Georgia
Kyle Singler, Duke
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh
Alec Burks, Colorado
Klay Thompson, Washington State
Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech
15. Nolan Smith, Duke
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2010-11 season: 17 points, 49 percent FG
These numbers should increase due to the fact that stud guard Kyrie Irving is out for quite some time.
Smith had always been a highly-regarded player since his prep days at Oak Hill Academy, but last year he came into his potential.
This year hasn't been much different. He can score from anywhere on the perimeter and isn't afraid to drive the lane. He's had to become more of a distributor compared to last year, but he's still an elite scorer.
What makes him most effective is his efficiency. The 17 points per game isn't all that impressive, but considering he's only taking 11 shots per game, it's clear he's going to get his numbers even if it only takes him a few shots to do so.
14. Ravern Johnson, Mississippi State
3 of 16
2010-11 season: 22 points, 48 percent FG, 47 percent 3PT
When doing my research, this is the only guy I wasn't familiar with and I feel ashamed considering the year he's having.
Johnson has become the Bulldogs' go-to guy and is currently leading the SEC in scoring by a wide margin. He has put up 20 or more points in five games and had 17 or more points in all but one game.
His lanky frame (6'7", 175 pounds) prevents him from scoring on the block, but it makes shooting jumpers easy, as he's rarely guarded by someone taller than him on the wing. If he is, Johnson has the quickness to get by him.
The only reason he's this low is that he has yet to put up good numbers against a quality opponent. But as a senior who has improved statistically every season in terms of shooting percentages, I don't see his numbers dipping very much once conference play begins.
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13. Norris Cole, Cleveland State
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2010-11 season: 21 points, 46 percent FG, 40 percent 3PT, 84 percent FT
Without a doubt, this is the name that most people don't know of on this list. Honestly, I'm shocked.
Cole is probably best known for starting on the Vikings team that beat Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament a couple years back, but now he's the best guy on a team that will absolutely give Butler trouble in the Horizon League.
Cole has put up at least 14 points in every game while leading the team to a 12-1 record. While he's become the do-it-all guy for Cleveland State, there is no doubt who will have the ball in crunch time due to his ability to make free throws and create his own shot.
Also, don't be surprised if the Vikings give a higher seed trouble, assuming they make the NCAAs. The Wake Forest game two years ago was not a fluke and Cole has the skills to prove it.
12. Scotty Hopson, Tennessee
5 of 16
2010-11 season: 16 points, 44 percent FG, 33 percent 3PT
This junior has finally turned into the player everyone thought he would be when he came out as a highly-touted freshman two years ago.
Now, his numbers are some of the more pedestrian of anyone on my list, but make no mistake—Hopson is one of the most dangerous scorers in the country.
Don't believe me? Ask Pitt coach Jamie Dixon, who witnessed Hopson go for 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting in an 83-76 victory over the Panthers in Pittsburgh. It was one of the most impressive performances I've seen all season against one of the best teams in the country.
The Volunteers are currently in a bit of a rut, having lost to both Oakland and Charlotte this week. Hopson was not good in either contest, but they were undefeated beforehand primarily due to this 6'7" slasher. It's safe to say that the Volunteers will go as far as Hopson can take them. I'm going to say it'll be pretty far.
11. Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh
6 of 16
2010-11 season: 17 points, 46 percent FG, 46 percent 3PT, 86 percent FT
Gibbs has been one of the most consistent players in the country for the last two years. Gibbs has scored double figures in all but six games during that span. Only once this season has he not scored at least 12 points. He's eclipsed 20 points five times already this season.
Gibbs' efficiency is another strength, as he's only taking a shade under 12 shots per game.
There was concern that last year was just a fluke and that now with everyone knowing who No. 12 is, he wouldn't have as good a year. Considering that his numbers are up in virtually every category, I think it's safe to say that concern was a farce.
10. Josh Selby, Kansas
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2010-11 season: 21 points, 44 percent FG, 62 percent 3PT (one game)
Yes, he's only played one game this season. However, Selby is not this high solely based on that one game.
The report on Selby as he was coming to Kansas was that he was most effective taking people off the dribble and driving to the basket or breaking defenses down during the fastbreak. The biggest question scouts had was whether his outside shot would be consistent enough for defenses to actually worry about it or if they could get away with daring him to shoot the three.
After his 5-of-8 shooting from distance, I think teams will need to worry about his outside shot.
It wasn't a joke when Kansas coach Bill Self said Selby was the missing piece to his team. This 6'3" slasher can score from anywhere and hecan do it either via catch-and-shoot or by breaking multiple defenders down.
Self has also said he will be playing Selby at the shooting guard position, meaning he won't have to worry about distributing the ball to his teammates, meaning 20 points per game should not be out of the question most nights.
9. Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
8 of 16
2010-11 season: 16 points, 41 percent FG, 33 percent 3PT
Mr. Pullen has had his fair share of frustrating games this season. Against Duke, he was thoroughly outplayed and shot an embarrassing 1-of-12 from the field. The Washington State game wasn't much better, as he shot 2-of-12.
Take away those games, and Pullen is shooting 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from deep.
I will admit that this ranking is partially based on history, as Pullen had a much better year last season, but he's still put up double digits in every game aside from the two I already mentioned.
He's the best player on one of the best teams in the country. Make no mistake, he will have the ball in crunch time and being one of the most experienced scorers will help him in those situations. I expect Pullen to pull (no pun intended) out of this little funk and figure out how to improve his numbers by season's end.
8. E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
9 of 16
2010-11 season: 21 points, 50 percent FG, 46 percent 3PT
Robbie Hummel who? With the star Boilermaker out for the year, Moore has shouldered much of the load on the perimeter and has excelled doing it.
One would think that with Hummel gone, defenses would focus on Moore, which would decrease his numbers. That's definitely not the case.
Moore has been one of the most consistent scorers in the country, scoring at least 14 points in every game this season. His three-point shooting percentage is easily the highest of his career and that has forced defenses to respect his outside shot, thereby allowing him to pick how he wants to attack the opposing defender.
He's quietly averaged at least 13 points in every season of his collegiate career. As a senior and with more of the scoring load on him now, it's no surprise he's figured out how to put up the best numbers of his career.
7. Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
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2010-11 season: 20 points, 51 percent FG, 50 percent 3PT
Easily one of the best outside shooting big men in the country, Leuer is one of the most underrated players in the country playing on one of the most consistent programs in the country.
At 6'10", Leuer has the ability to back down smaller players or shoot over them. Stick a larger guy on him and that frees up the lane for one of Wisconsin's talented guards, or Leuer can simply take him off the dribble. Most huge guys aren't used to defending players at the three-point line, which automatically gives Leuer the advantage.
Leuer has scored 20 or more points in six contests and 16 or more in all but one game. Assuming he's able to keep up this pace into conference play (there's every indication he will barring injury), he'll be a prime candidate to win Big Ten Player of the Year.
6. LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
11 of 16
2010-11: 22 points, 48 percent FG, 49 percent 3PT, 86 percent FT (played only four games)
Much like Pullen, Dunn's ranking is based partially on what he's done in the past, considering he was forced to sit out the first three games of the season. There has been no sign that he's lost a step, though.
Efficiency has been Dunn's biggest strength thus far, never attempting more than 14 shots this season while scoring 17 or more points in every game this season.
His ability to score from anywhere on the court, whether it be from long range, driving and getting fouled or working the mid-range game, makes him one of the most balanced scorers in the country. It's nearly impossible to shut him down completely because of this.
The fact that he's averaged 14, 16 and 20 points per game his previous three seasons also means he's seen pretty much every defense, making him totally prepared for anything and ready to counter whatever is thrown at him.
5. Jordan Hamilton, Texas
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2010-11 season: 19 points, 45 percent FG, 43 percent 3PT
Had anyone watched Hamilton last season, they would've seen a selfish player who took crazy shots that he had no business taking, some of which miraculously went in.
Of anyone in the top 15, Hamilton arguably made the biggest jump from becoming a player with horrendous shot selection who forced shots to a guy who improved his efficiency and has become one of the most dangerous scorers in the country.
Probably his best strength so far has been his ability to step up in big games. Against Texas' best opponents (Pittsburgh, Illinois and at North Carolina), Hamilton scored 28, 25 and 24 points respectively while winning two of the three games.
His consistency has been solid as well, scoring in double figures in all but one game and having five games with 20 or more points.
His shot selection is still a problem at times, but the improvement he's made in the past year has been phenomenal. If it improves even more by March, he could singlehandedly take Texas through a deep run in March.
4. Jimmer Fredette, BYU
13 of 16
2010-11 season: 24 points, 48 percent FG, 35 percent 3PT, 88 percent FT
My favorite name in college basketball right now is also one of the best scorers in the country.
Fredette gained fame last season during the NCAAs as BYU upset Florida in double overtime with Fredette scoring 37 points.
This season, his Cougars are even better and so is Fredette.
What I find particularly impressive is his response to what I call the Stephen Curry Syndrome. That is a mid-major player who makes a splash in the NCAA tournament, gains national recognition and then has to deal with every team doing everything it can to shut him down.
Fredette is easily the best player on his team, yet he's scoring even more while opposing teams know exactly who he is. He's scored 20 or more points in eight of his 11 games, including 33 against a good Arizona team.
Not bad for a guy who this time last year was completely unknown to anyone outside BYU.
3. Austin Freeman, Georgetown
14 of 16
2010-11 season: 19 points, 54 percent FG, 48 percent 3PT
Freeman has slowed down from his torrid pace in his first seven games, but his numbers are still quite impressive.
He had arguably one of the best games of the young season when he scored 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting in a thrilling victory over Missouri on the road. He carried the Hoyas in that game and has recently let his teammates do more of the work.
His recent slump should not take away from Freeman's talents. As an experienced senior guard, Freeman has become the alpha dog for a Top 10 team and has increased his scoring while keeping his average number of shots virtually the same from last season. Overall, his numbers are the best of his collegiate career while playing fewer minutes than he did last season.
One cannot forget Georgetown's horrendous performance against Ohio University in the first round of the NCAAs last season and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what is driving Freeman. Sometimes scorers get complacent, but with that kind of motivation, I don't expect it to happen to Freeman.
2. John Shurna, Northwestern
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2010-11 season: 24 points, 64 percent FG, 62 percent 3PT
Wait, who? No, this is not a typo—a Northwestern player is one of the top two scorers in the country and, honestly, in most other years he'd be No. 1.
Look at those shooting percentages. Keep in mind he's taking 12 shots per game and five threes per game. Those aren't flukes. It's been a long time since anyone has seen numbers like that.
Shurna has scored 20 or more in all but one game and has not taken more than 16 shots in any game.
There's a reason why Wildcats and most Big Ten fans have a lot of hope that Northwestern can finally make the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. John Shurna is that reason.
At 6'8", he's able to back guys down, shoot over smaller players or drive to the basket at will. He's leading the Big Ten in scoring and it isn't close. Had Shurna been doing this at a North Carolina or other powerhouses, he'd be in the discussions for Player of the Year.
The main reason he isn't at the top? The teams he's played against aren't good, which, granted, is not his fault. His first real test will be on New Year's Eve against Purdue and then January 3rd against Michigan State. After those two games, it will be easier to tell if Shurna's ridiculous numbers are more fact or fiction.
1. Kemba Walker, Connecticut
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2010-11 season: 28 points, 53 percent FG, 43 percent 3PT, 88 percent FT
Anyone who is shocked by Walker at the top spot has not been paying any attention to the college basketball season so far.
Ask anyone and Walker is without a doubt the Player of the Year and probably the most dominant player in the country.
His rise occurred in the Maui Invitational, where he scored 31, 30 and 29 points against Wichita State (a potential NCAA team), Michigan State (Top 10) and Kentucky (Top 20) respectively. They won each game primarily due to Walker's ability to score from anywhere on the court.
One would think that after that kind of publicity, teams would start focusing in on him and double-teaming such an explosive scorer, right? Well, if they have, it's had no effect, as Walker is currently tied for first in the country in scoring and has scored 20 or more points in all but one game for a team that is currently undefeated.
Walker's driving ability has been his strength ever since he came in as a freshman. New York-based guards are notorious for their ability to get to the basket. What's made him a complete scorer is that he finally found a reliable jumper, specifically from three-point range. Last season, he shot a modest 34 percent. Increasing that percentage by 10 is no easy task, which shows Walker worked incredibly hard in the offseason.
Keep in mind that UConn was expected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big East by most experts. The Huskies are now ranked fourth in the country.
Now maybe once Big East conference play begins his numbers will come back down, but so far this 6'1" junior is the scariest player to go against in the country—and it isn't really close. So pray that your team doesn't encounter the Huskies at some point this season. Otherwise, get ready to put your face in your hands as Mr. Walker singlehandedly destroys your team's defense.
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