Spotlight on CBB Top Freshman

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As conference play gets set to begin next week, TheSportsPACK is highlighting some of the standout freshmen from across the country. These first-year players have made an immediate impact for their schools this season with hope of continuing that throughout the conference schedule.

 Rashard Vaughn @ShowtimeMr1 ( UNLV ) The 6-6 guard from Findlay Prep leads all freshman in scoring averaging 17.7 points per game. Vaughn has scored in double digits 8 out of the 10 games he has played this season. Four of those contest resulted in 20+ point outings including a career high 29 vs Albany and 21 points in the upset win over #3 Arizona. 



James Blackmon Jr. @JBlackmon2 ( Indiana ) Blackmon Jr.is the first freshman guard to lead the Hoosiers in scoring since Devin Dumes during the 2008-2009 season. Blackmon Jr. is averaging 17.6 points per game; second among freshman and third in the Big Ten Conference. James has scored over 15 points in 8 of his 12 games and a 26 point game in the win over #22 SMU. Blackmon Jr, whose dad was his high school coach, is also second on the team in rebounding averaging 5.1 per game.


D'Angelo Russell @D_Russ0 ( Ohio State ) In 12 games, Russell is averaging 17.2 points per game for the #21 ranked Buckeyes. During an early season contest with Sacred Heart, D'Angelo scored 32 points while knocking down 4 3-pointers. Russell struggled in the lost versus #24 North Carolina shooting 4-17 from the field but responded well with a 15 point 9 assist game versus Miami (OH) two nights later.


Jahlil Okafor @BigJah15 ( Duke ) When you are mentioning freshman playing college basketball, no list is complete without the potential number one pick in next year's draft. Okafor has been good as advertised for the #2 ranked Blue Devils this season. Averaging 17.4 points (3rd in ACC) and 8.9 rebounds a game (5th in ACC), Okafor is also efficient from the field shooting 65.2% (3rd in ACC). If Jahlil continues this level of play, expect Duke to be a Final Four lock.


Kevon Looney @Loon_Rebel5 ( UCLA ) Looney leads all freshman in double-doubles with 7.  His 10.8 rebounds a game is tops in the PAC-12  and 7th nationally. Some of Kevon's stat lines include a 16 point 15 rebound performance versus Oklahoma and a 17 point 14 rebound outing in his 2nd college game against Coastal Carolina. 

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