Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah Austin has the talent to easily be one of the best players in the nation in the 2013-14 college basketball season. However, will he meet expectations and have a breakout season for the Baylor Bears in his sophomore year?
Last season, Austin averaged 13 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game, which is pretty solid for a freshman. He also managed to block 1.7 shots per game.
What makes him so special is that he stands at 7’1”. He can play defense and offense and you better believe that he can sink the long-ball, making 30 threes last year.
He has the skill set to be unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball next year. There are not many players in college hoops that can guard a seven-footer all of the way out to the three-point line, let alone in the paint. He could and should be an elite scorer next year, since Pierre Jackson is no longer on the team, which will make him the go-to guy–at least I hope.
There will still be plenty of talent around Austin in the upcoming season, but he has the most upside on the team. The talk of the Big 12 may be about Kansas‘ Andrew Wiggins, but with a big season, Austin can easily be a better player on the court. If that is the case his draft stock will definitely climb. He has the talent to go in the top five of the 2014 NBA Draft.
However, he has to be better than he was this past season and he has to lead Baylor to the NCAA tournament. Expect both things to happen in the 2013-14 season.
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