NCAA Basketball

College Basketball Week 2: Top 10 Naismith Award Candidates

College Basketball Week 2: Top 10 Naismith Award Candidates

Kennedy Meeks
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The first week of the 2014-15 college basketball season is in the books, and several players have jumped to the forefront of the race for the Naismith Trophy. It's early in the season, but most of these players will be in the discussion for the award the rest of the year. Here are the top 10 candidates for the Naismith after Week 2.

10. Bryce Alford – UCLA

Bryce Alford
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

10. Bryce Alford – UCLA

Bryce Alford
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Sneaking into the top 10, Alford has been amazing this season. Averaging nearly 20 points per game and 9.8 assists, he could easily win the Naismith if UCLA can win the Pac-12.

9. Tyler Haws – BYU

Haws BYU
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

9. Tyler Haws – BYU

Haws BYU
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

An elite college basketball scorer, Haws currently averages 17.3 points per game. Expect that to increase as the Cougars get into the meat of their schedule.

8. Kennedy Meeks – North Carolina

Meeks UNC
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

8. Kennedy Meeks – North Carolina

Meeks UNC
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Surprisingly more impressive than Marcus Paige, Meeks is averaging over 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. Did I mention he’s only been playing around 21 minutes per game?

7. Jonathan Holmes – Texas

Jonathan Holmes
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

7. Jonathan Holmes – Texas

Jonathan Holmes
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Texas is the most dangerous team in the country. Low expectations and lack of national media attention have been blown away by two dominating performances over two pretty talented teams. Holmes is this team’s leader in points and rebounding.

6. Josh Scott – Colorado

Josh Scott
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

6. Josh Scott – Colorado

Josh Scott
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Scott has dropped significantly after the team’s 57-33 loss to Wyoming. However, he’s still one of the elite players in college basketball, and the game against the Cowboys was just an off night.

5. Frank Kaminsky – Wisconsin

Kaminsky
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

5. Frank Kaminsky – Wisconsin

Kaminsky
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Averaging a double-double, Kaminsky and the Badgers haven’t played any elite opposition yet. If he can have a huge game against Duke in a few weeks, expect his Naismith stock to rise.

4. Jerian Grant – Notre Dame

Jerian Grant
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jerian Grant – Notre Dame

Jerian Grant
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Grant averages 18.4 points per game and over seven rebounds. One of the best scorers in college basketball, his numbers should continue to increase.

3. Montrezl Harrell – Louisville

Montrezl Harrell
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

3. Montrezl Harrell – Louisville

Montrezl Harrell
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Harrell has cooled off a bit from his 30-point performance against Minnesota, but he's still averaging over 19 points and seven rebounds.

2. Joseph Young – Oregon

Joseph Young
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

2. Joseph Young – Oregon

Joseph Young
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Averaging 26 points, five assists and 4.3 rebounds, Young leads the nation in scoring. His 100 percent free throw percentage is impressive as well.

1. Jahlil Okafor – Duke

Jahlil Okafor
Porter Binks-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jahlil Okafor – Duke

Jahlil Okafor
Porter Binks-USA TODAY Sports

What more can be said about this talented freshman? He’s dominated all season long and against good college basketball teams.

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