Keeping Score
LIFESTYLE
The Dream Team
TOP 5 COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS PER POSITION BY BRITTON HEADDEN
The air is getting brisk, the holidays are coming, the work year is winding down, and college basketball is heating up. A number of factors went into determining who made the list: Stats, team’s potential this season, value to the team, and pro potential. So, here is your college Dream Team lineup for the 2021-22 season.
POINT GUARD
SHOOTING GUARD
SMALL FORWARD
POWER FORWARD
There are a lot of good Running Point Guard prospects from Freshman to Grad students, but one, in particular, stands out as an elite player on a strong team: Jaden Ivey [Purdue]. Ivey is a 6’4” sophomore who has proven himself an asset for the Boilermakers. What is impressive about Ivey as a player and teammate is his improvement from last year to this year. So far, his shooting has improved from 39.9% to around 50%, and his assist numbers continue to climb. Ivey is an excellent choice for a point guard who can get his offense the best possible shot.
A familiar name to NCAA basketball fans in the Shooting Guard position comes from Kansas, Ochai Agbaji. This 6’5” shooter can make plays on both ends. Quick hands and a long build have proven Agbaji a detrimental defender, and he is shooting around 40% from the 3-point line this year. A highlight reel chock-full of dunks and sharpshooting shows lots of NBA potential with this one.
In the Small Forward position we have an all-around solid player from Villanova. Jermaine Samuels is a 6’7” forward who can score, rebound, and defend. What else do you need? Samuels is just as comfortable shooting as taking it to the rim. At 230 pounds, Samuels is not one to get pushed around easily. He’s a capable playmaker with an NBA build.
From Duke comes maybe the best Power Forward in college basketball, Paolo Banchero. Banchero is a 6’10” slasher who can shoot from anywhere and handle the ball better than the average big guy. Banchero moves like a wing player with the body of an athletic center. Duke has a weapon in Banchero, and to leave him off of this list would be a travesty.
CENTER At center is the 7’, 285 pounds, Jamaicanborn, NBA-bound Kofi Cockburn of Illinois. Averaging a doubledouble and around 70% from the field, no team has found an answer to this offensive force. Cockburn was an essential piece of the Illini’s March Madness run last season and will be this year as well. He is a more than capable shot-blocker, and having Cockburn in the paint opens up outside shots as well on offense.
BRITTON HEADDEN Keeping Score Britton Headden is a born-and-raised Franklin local and Broker/Owner of Headden Home Real Estate. Britton has a lifetime love of basketball and other sports, including playing and coaching experience on all levels elementary through college.
64 HOLIDAY 2021
Celebrating 10 Years
