From NCAA to NBA
The Pacific Northwest is almost always stocked with plenty of good talent in most sports. Basketball is by far one of the most lucrative sports for these athletes and it shows in the NBA.
Most people know the player, but never where they are from, especially in the case of the players from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.
This year’s class of talent is good as always, with players from Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Gonzaga and Seattle University all with the ability to play well and make some noise. Quite a few of those players will bring home some accolades, too.
Now that we have had a good amount of time to evaluate the players and let their true game shine through, we can assess who has “it.”
While they may stay in school or opt to go another direction, these guys COULD play in the NBA with their level of talent.
These Northwest hoopers could easily be in the NBA next season.
Tony Wroten – Washington – Freshman – Guard
Wroten has big potential
Tony Wroten is averaging 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 4.0 turnovers in his average of 29.3 minutes per game. He is shooting .477 and has a free throw percentage of .564.
Wroten possesses so much raw talent that it’s ridiculous. The only problem is that he can’t play a fully balanced game to show off his true skill set. He is going to be in the running for Freshman All-American and Player of the Year is not out of the question, either.
Terrence Ross – Washington – Sophomore – Guard
Terrence Ross is averaging 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 turnovers in his average of 31.3 minutes per game. He is shooting .449 and has a free throw percentage of .738.
Ross is arguably the best all around player that Lorenzo Romar has up his sleeve. Ross puts on a show almost every night with his well-balanced game and display of his all-around skill.
Jared Cunningham – Oregon State – Junior – Guard
Jared Cunningham is averaging 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.8 steals 3.0 turnovers in his average of 33.9 minutes per game. He is shooting .456 and has a free throw percentage of .762.
He is leading the Pac-12 in scoring and has been a major reason why Oregon State has made any noise this season.
Devoe Joseph – Oregon – Senior – Guard
Devoe Joseph is averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 turnovers in his average of 34.8 minutes per game. He is shooting .457 and has a free throw percentage of .810.
Joseph is electric this season, putting together an impressive senior resume to bring with him to the NBA.
Joseph has lifted Oregon this season
E.J. Singler – Oregon – Junior – Forward
E.J. Singler is averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.0 turnovers in his average of 30.4 minutes per game. He is shooting .472 and has a free throw percentage of .894.
Singler isn’t as impressive as his older brother Kyle was at Duke, but he has stolen half of the show at Oregon. His output has kept Oregon in the mix for contention in the Pac-12.
Faisal Aden – Washington State – Senior – Guard
Faisal Aden is averaging 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.8 turnovers in his average of 24.1 minutes per game. He is shooting .470 and has a free throw percentage of .894.
Aden caught fire this season until he suffered a season-ending injury. Definitely not the best note to end your college career on, but if he gets back to 100% or better, he has as good a shot as anyone to make the jump into the big league.
Brock Motum – Washington State – Junior – Forward
Brock Motum is averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.1 turnovers in his average of 32.2 minutes per game. He is shooting .567 and has a free throw percentage of .759.
Motum has been a breath of fresh air this year for the Cougars. Him and Aden have kept the Cougs afloat on a seemingly sinking ship. His performance this year is by far the best efforts in his Wazzu career.
Aaron Broussard – Seattle University – Senior – Forward
Broussard has powered Seattle U past many opponents
Aaron Broussard is averaging 18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 turnovers in his average of 30.4 minutes per game. He is shooting .470 and has a free throw percentage of .709.
He is leading all players on this list in points per game. He is also my pick to make the biggest immediate impact on an NBA team. His skill and athleticism has helped him put the pressure on teams like Washington in their matchup earlier this season.
Kevin Pangos – Gonzaga – Freshman – Guard
Kevin Pangos is averaging 13.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 turnovers in his average of 31.6 minutes per game. He is shooting .442 and has a free throw percentage of .852.
Pangos has been huge for the Zags helping them earn big wins against teams like St Mary’s, while keeping games close against Xavier and Michigan State.
Elias Harris – Gonzaga – Junior – Forward
Elias Harris is averaging 13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1 steal and 1.9 turnovers in his average of 28.9 minutes per game.
He is shooting .492 and has a free throw percentage of .644.
Harris has been a pretty big part of Gonzaga’s success this season. The team of him, Pangos and Robert Sacre have been the lifeblood for Mark Few’s squad.
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