As we near the closing stretches of conference play, it’s time to look at college basketball’s most disappointing freshmen–a list of players who we expected big things from, fairly or not, but have yet to live up to those expectations.
Skal Labissiere, No. 2 Overall, Kentucky: For such a highly touted prospect, the fall of Labissiere has been painful to watch. After scoring in double figures four of the first six games of the year, he’s done so just once since then, and not since December 9 against Eastern Kentucky. Some are blaming his struggles on John Calipari not getting him the ball in positions where he can be effective. Others blame high school scouts for rating so highly. Others still, blame Labissiere for not being tough enough. The truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle of all that.
Cheick Diallo, No. 5 Overall, Kansas: After spending most of the year ineligible to start, Diallo has been…underwhelming in his minutes for KU. He’s scored in double digits just once and has been a mess on both ends of the floor as it relates to picking up Bill Self’s system. That’s the thing about big men who pick Kansas, they have to know that they’re asked to do so much on both ends regarding picks, passes, reads, and the like. For someone who thinks they can just run, jump, and be effective, Lawrence isn’t the place. This was always a weird fit when he picked the Jayhawks.
Chase Jeter, No. 15 Overall, Duke: This is a classic case of overrating a prospect, in all likelihood. Jeter is probably going to be one heck of a player down the road, but he’s a big man without much strength, without much offensive skill, and without much a role in a college defense. That’s why he’s averaging just 8.1 minutes per game and hasn’t scored since January 2.
Carlton Bragg Jr., No. 24 Overall, Kansas: Of anyone on this list, Bragg looks like someone who still has a chance to turn the season around in a limited role. He’s scored 10 points and eight points in his last two outings against TCU and Oklahoma State and he averages just under 12 rebounds per 40 minutes.
