This article is part of our College Basketball Waiver Wire series.
We are again a bit front court heavy, with a plethora of transfer big men getting comfortable in their new surroundings. In past years, I've focused my drafts on forwards early as there usually isn't the depth available on the wire throughout the year. This seasons seems the exception, which is hurting me a bit in leagues where I'm now searching for viable guard options.
Power Conferences
Dallas Walton, C, Wake Forest
The Deacons have a plethora of new faces that I'm still familiarizing myself with, and Walton fits that mold as a senior transfer from Colorado. He's started every game in his new home, but hits minutes have varied greatly nightly, and to no surprise, so has his production. The real appeal here is Walton's ability to block shots in bunches. He swatted four last week against USC Upstate, the sixth time he's had multiple blocks in a night. And in scoring in double-digits in consecutive outings, Walton appears to be gaining confidence in his new surroundings.
David Collins, G, Clemson
For as much as I'll pat myself on the back for noting P.J. Hall in this column a few weeks back, he's not the only Tiger that's emerging. Collins, a USF transfer, is one rebound shy of three straight double-doubles. He's averaging a personal best 6.7 boards -- terrific from the guard position -- to go with a decent 11.4 points. He's also an asset in steals, putting up 1.7 nightly, something he was known
We are again a bit front court heavy, with a plethora of transfer big men getting comfortable in their new surroundings. In past years, I've focused my drafts on forwards early as there usually isn't the depth available on the wire throughout the year. This seasons seems the exception, which is hurting me a bit in leagues where I'm now searching for viable guard options.
Power Conferences
Dallas Walton, C, Wake Forest
The Deacons have a plethora of new faces that I'm still familiarizing myself with, and Walton fits that mold as a senior transfer from Colorado. He's started every game in his new home, but hits minutes have varied greatly nightly, and to no surprise, so has his production. The real appeal here is Walton's ability to block shots in bunches. He swatted four last week against USC Upstate, the sixth time he's had multiple blocks in a night. And in scoring in double-digits in consecutive outings, Walton appears to be gaining confidence in his new surroundings.
David Collins, G, Clemson
For as much as I'll pat myself on the back for noting P.J. Hall in this column a few weeks back, he's not the only Tiger that's emerging. Collins, a USF transfer, is one rebound shy of three straight double-doubles. He's averaging a personal best 6.7 boards -- terrific from the guard position -- to go with a decent 11.4 points. He's also an asset in steals, putting up 1.7 nightly, something he was known for as a Bull previously, so unlikely unlikely to fade.
Cliff Omoruyi, C, Rutgers
Every week, I'm shocked by the number of centers we're able to include here, as it's usually a position so void many leagues don't require it. Omoruyi isn't blocking shots, something we'd normally want in the middle, but he's started every game for the Scarlet Knights and scored in double-digits in all but two. Sure, you'd also like more than the 6.7 rebounds he's giving us, but Omoruyi has a stable role and is enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign as a result.
Trent Frazier, G, Illinois
Frazier missed time in late November with a knee issue, didn't start immediately upon return and scored only 13 points in two games once back, so the hope is a previous manager grew impatient and cut him. But after scoring 45 total points last week against Iowa and Arizona, it seems safe to say he's back as the Illini's top-scoring guard. Mix in that he had 12 rebounds and seven steals last week, and there's multi-category appeal.
Jordan Goldwire, G, Oklahoma
Goldwire has been a nice DFS option thus far as a cheap, back-end roster filler, but it's time to consider him in season-long settings as well. He starts for the Sooners and is averaging 30.0 minutes, so the production can't fall off too much. He's not a primary scoring option, but is still chipping in 10.1 points, but where he can help most lineups is in assists and steals, averaging 4.4 and 1.4, respectively.
Kaiden Rice, F, Georgetown
Rice hasn't been consistent, but when he's on, he's on in a big way. After going scoreless in 21 minutes against South Carolina, Rice dropped 34 on UMBC and then 15 against Syracuse. He's now topped 20 points in three outings, while having two or zero in two. He's also doing next to nothing else, averaging just 3.1 rebounds. But given how big the scoring hits can be, Rice makes sense as a streaming option when the Hoyas have plus matchups, either blowout potential or increased pace.
Jack Nunge, C, Xavier
Nunge's production is inconsistent a la Rice above, but he seems to have more stability across categories. He isn't starting, but is averaging 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in only 21.8 minutes, numbers that work fine where the Big East is featured, especially from a center. He's coming off of a monstrous 31-point, 15-board showing against Cincinnati, giving him his fifth double-digit scoring outing and third double-digit rebound effort. While the minutes aren't enormous, there aren't many to take away with Zach Freemantle working his way back into action, so Nunge should have staying power.
Cody Riley, C, UCLA
Just a reminder that Riley is about to return to action for the first time since the Bruins season opener. He'll likely be eased in upon return, but by January is likely back to his pre-injury self, where he averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds -- decent enough numbers to provide roster depth.
Garrison Brooks, F, Mississippi State
Consistency wasn't Brooks' thing at UNC, and that's carried over some to Mississippi State. But he posted his first double-double of the season last week and has now scored in double-digits in four straight. With Tolu Smith (foot) again sidelined for at least a few weeks, Brooks should see a slight bump in opportunity and the Bulldogs surely need more work from him on the glass.
Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
Another former Tar Heel lands here just a week after teammate Jaylin Williams made an appearance. Williams' appeal was the hope for extended run with Kessler sidelined by a knee issue, but Kessler made a quicker-than-expected return and should be rostered again now that he's healthy. He's averaging 3.1 blocks, a number he's gone over four times already, and that alone makes him relevant. He's also turned in three double-doubles, and a usable 1.3 steals.
Tier 2
Brandon Johnson, F, East Carolina
Johnson is an interesting case. The freshman is averaging 23.5 minutes, a solid number off the Pirates' bench, and contributes 7.0 points and 8.1 boards. While not eye-popping, he had a double double in his first career game and then pulled down 19 boards in a spot start against Coppin State. He drew another start last week with Ludgy Debaut out for personal reasons and put up a decent eight points, five boards and three assists. It's clear Johnson has some skills and is an asset to the Pirates, and if Debaut's absence lingers, there could be additional opportunities.
Isaiah Stevens, G, Colorado State
Stevens is playing at a high enough level he can be considered in all formats, let alone just Tier 2. He's increased his distribution in each of this three seasons with the Rams, and is handing out a whopping 7.3 assists to date. Mix in 1.9 steals and there's obvious attraction, and 14.1 points certainly doesn't hurt lineups.
Kobe King, G, Valparaiso
King's two-year absence from college basketball ended last Tuesday when he made his debut at Valpo, and he's making a big instant impact, averaging 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists, taking 25 shots across two games. The former Wisconsin Badger certainly qualifies as a big fish in a small pond now in the Missouri Valley Conference, and can happily be added where available.
