NBA Draft Busts: Marcus Fizer

Former McDonald’s High School All-American, Fizer went on to have an exceptional 3-year collegiate career at Iowa State. Fizer’s junior year was by far his best, racking up multiple awards including Big 12 Player of the Year and NCAA First Team All-American. The Chicago Bulls selected Fizer with the 4th pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Fizer played under head coach Tim Floyd, the same coach who recruited him to Iowa State. He spent his first 4 seasons with the Bulls, compiling an average of 10 points and 5 rebounds per game during his stay. Fizer’s final season in Chicago ended earlier then expected as he

The Best of the Rest

When the topic of player of the year in college basketball comes up everyone immediately thinks of names such as John Wall of Kentucky, Scottie Reynolds of Villanova, Luke Harangody of Notre Dame, Evan Turner of Ohio State, Sherron Collins of Kansas, and Damion James of Texas. But many other players have made a name for themselves this year and deserve to be mentioned in the player of the year conversation. Here’s my list of the best of the rest (in no particular order).

Wesley Johnson (Syracuse) – The Junior transfer from Iowa State has made a huge impact on the 20-1 Orange who are also 7-1 in the brutal Big East. Johnson is averaging 17 ppg along with 9 rpg and is shooting 45% from the 3-point line and 56% overall. The most impressive part of Johnson’s game is that he raises his play against Big East opponents, he averages 18 ppg and 11 rpg in those contests. 

Devan Downey (South Carolina) – Downey is averaging 22 ppg on the year while shooting 42% from the field to go along with 3 spg. The stat that puts Downey into the upper tier of college players is the 31 ppg he averaging in SEC play. Downey has carried a mediocre South Carolina team to a 12-8 record overall and a 3-3 record in the SEC along with a win against #1 ranked Kentucky, which was the first win against a #1 ranked team in Gamecock history. If Downey wants to be in the player of the year conversation he will need the Gamecocks to continue to win big games.

James Anderson (Oklahoma State) – Anderson has led the Cowboys to a 15-4 start to the season and 3-2 Big 12 record. He is averaging 22 ppg and 6 rpg overall and 24 ppg in Big 12 play.

Jon Scheyer (Duke) – Scheyer was overshadowed by all the hype surrounding Kyle Singler in the beginning of the season, but now that Singler hasn’t lived up to the preseason player of the year hype, Scheyer has stepped up as the leader of the Blue Devils. Scheyer has been impressive scoring the ball as he is averaging 19 ppg and shooting 38% from the 3-point line overall, but Scheyer’s most impressive statistic is his 6 apg and his 4:1 assist to turnover ratio.

Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State) – Varnado is a defensive force who is averaging 5.3 bpg which is second in the nation and 11 rpg. Varnado can also put the ball in the basket as he is shooting 59% from the field and averaging 14 ppg. Varnado also has 10 double-doubles and 1 triple-double on the year. The triple-double came in a win against Arkansas in which Varnado had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks.  

DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky) – The big-time low post player from Kentucky has had a brilliant freshman season so far. Cousins is averaging 16 ppg and 10 rpg overall while shooting 55% from the field and 18 ppg and 10 rpg in SEC play. Cousins has 11 double-doubles on the year and has had a double-double in 3 of Kentucky’s 5 SEC games.

Players on the Rise

Quincy Pondexter (Washington) – 20 ppg, 8 rpg, 45% from 3-point range, 7 double-doubles, 55% shooting overall

Luke Babbitt (Nevada) – 22 ppg, 10 rpg, 41% from 3-point range, 14 double-doubles, 53% shooting overall, hasn’t scored less than 14 points in a game so far this season