College Basketball: 12 Sophomores (Underwhelming as Freshmen) Who Could Be Stars

As in so many recent seasons, 2010-11 had a wealth of superstars in the freshman class, many of whom are now gone to the NBA.

The ones who stayed in school—like national Freshman of the Year Jared Sullinger—are likely to be among the top players in the country, regardless of age.

However, not every star is ready to shine as soon as he hits a college campus. Highly touted recruits like Sullinger’s teammate DeShaun Thomas didn’t make a big splash in their first seasons, but still have the potential to turn into showstoppers in their own right.

Read on for a look at Thomas and the dozen sophomores who could go from invisible to invaluable before their college careers are done.

It should be noted that this list is NOT intended to cover players like Sullinger who have already established themselves as stars (or even starters) in their freshman seasons.

As a rule of thumb, players who saw more than 20 minutes per game as freshmen were not considered for this list.

12. Josh Hairston, Duke

While classmate Kyrie Irving got all the attention (and, when healthy, the playing time), Josh Hairston largely got the shaft as a Duke freshman. The 6’7” power forward played just six minutes a game in the upperclass-heavy frontcourt, posting 1.4 points and 1.2 boards a night.

With the two elder Plumlee brothers still looming, Hairston probably won’t get to show what he can really do until 2012-13. Nevertheless, his combination of shooting touch and defensive tenacity will earn him every opportunity to shine for Coach K’s squad in the long run.

11. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall dominated the headlines in Chapel Hill last season, but Reggie Bullock also showed promise as a freshman. The 6’7” guard averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds a game while coming off the bench for the loaded Tar Heels.

With UNC returning all five starters, Bullock will still have to scramble for significant playing time. Even so, his ability to put points on the board in the high-speed Tar Heels offense will make him one of the best sixth men around.

10. Stacey Poole Jr., Kentucky

Just because freshman Stacey Poole Jr. didn’t make the kind of immediate impact that classmates Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones had doesn’t mean that Poole won’t be a big part of the Wildcats’ future.

The 6'4" Poole has the athleticism to step into a major role for Kentucky on both ends of the floor.. 

With DeAndre Liggins gone, Poole will vie for a big chunk of minutes that have opened at starting guard. Don’t expect another year of sub-1.0 averages from him. 

9. Jordan McRae, Tennessee

Jordan McRae would’ve been happier if all he had to worry about last season was a lack of playing time that held his scoring average to 2.0 points a game.

But after an altercation on the team bus in January, Bruce Pearl suspended McRae (for what turned out to be the remainder of the year) for violation of team conduct rules.

Pearl, of course, is gone, and the Vols are starting fresh with a young roster under new coach Cuonzo Martin. If McRae can keep his head on straight, the 6’6” guard could play his way into a starring role in short order.

8. Adreian Payne, Michigan State

Although Tom Izzo does occasionally give serious playing time to a freshman (see Randolph, Zach), the Spartans’ coach tends to lean on his upperclassmen.

That could be one reason for his keeping Adreian Payne on the bench (just nine minutes a game last season), even though the 6’10” frosh might have been able to help with MSU’s uncharacteristically poor rebounding numbers.

With Delvon Roe announcing his departure from the team due to knee problems, the Spartans will really be hurting for talent up front to go with Draymond Green.

Ready or not, the mobile Payne should get his chance to step up in 2011-12.

7. Okaro White, Florida State

An athletic 6’8” power forward, Okaro White was considered one of the top defenders at any position in last season’s freshman class. Small wonder, then, that he landed at Florida State, the program that boasted the nation’s best field-goal defense of the last 10 years in 2010-11.

White didn’t see a lot of playing time in last year’s crowded frontcourt, but his 6.6 points and 3.2 boards a game in limited action show promise.

Now that Chris Singleton is a Washington Wizard, White should get a real chance to show what he can do in Tallahassee.

6. Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Meyers Leonard’s biggest success last year came in the weight room, where he managed to add some much-needed bulk to what had been a spindly 7’0” frame. Now at 240 pounds, Leonard can concentrate more on recording some on-court achievements in 2011-12.

The versatile center played just 8.2 minutes a game last year, averaging 2.1 points and 1.2 boards. With veteran standouts Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis gone, the Illini will need Leonard to step into a much bigger role as a sophomore.

5. Fab Melo, Syracuse

Syracuse fans have to hope Fab Melo learned something from his apprenticeship under senior Rick Jackson, because he certainly didn’t get a chance to show much last year.

Melo played fewer than 10 minutes a night, providing all of 2.4 points a game in his first season.

At 7’0” and 244 pounds, Melo has the physical tools to be a dominant center at the college level. Now all he has to do is prove that his prodigious talents will actually translate to production on the floor.

4. Patric Young, Florida

After spending last year stuck behind Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin, Patric Young will have to sink or swim in the newly depleted Florida frontcourt.

The 6’9” Young could develop into a physical presence to outplay either Tyus or Macklin, but he’s got some development to do before he gets there.

Last season, Young managed to put up just 3.3 points a game in limited action, but he did show flashes of potential. He recorded 3.7 rebounds a night, and it’s a good bet that he’ll make an immediate impact on the glass (and the defensive end) while his offensive game develops.

3. DeShaun Thomas, Ohio State

As if Ohio State didn’t already have enough young talent with national Freshman of the Year Jared Sullinger and rising-star point guard Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes also have DeShaun Thomas waiting to break out.

A 6’6” combo forward, Thomas averaged 7.6 points a game in reserve duty last season.

With the graduations of Dallas Lauderdale and David Lighty, OSU has some big holes to fill around Sullinger. Expect Thomas to step into a leading role this season alongside his more-heralded classmates.

2. Vander Blue, Marquette

Starting guard Vander Blue has the kind of athleticism and aggressiveness (on both ends of the floor) that Buzz Williams’ Golden Eagles thrive on.

What he doesn’t have, yet, is the production (all of 5.4 points a game as a freshman).

The departure of standout swingman Jimmy Butler should open up plenty of playing time (and shots) for Blue. With defenses keying on Darius Johnson-Odom, Blue could be in for a monster season.

1. Terrence Ross, Washington

Though he didn’t get on the floor a lot as a freshman, Terrence Ross gave Washington fans plenty to look forward to in his second season. Few Huskies finished Isaiah Thomas’ alley-oops with as much flair as the high-flying, 6’6” Ross.

Even though Washington’s deep rotation limited Ross to 17.4 minutes a night, he averaged 8.0 points per game last season. Expect him to become one of the Pac-12’s most dynamic scorers in his sophomore campaign.