Friday 29th March 2024,
The Hoop Doctors

UK’s Julius Randle Outshines Wiggins, Parker, and Gordon In NCAA Debuts

Don’t look now, but University of Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins may have some stiff competition, when it comes to the #1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

It’s super early, but Kentucky freshman Julius Randle, who has been favorably compared to Lebron James, looked every bit the player that numerous NBA teams are already in “Tank Mode” for, as he piled up 23 points and 15 rebounds in only 26 minutes in an opening night win over UNC-Asheville.

I know, it’s UNC-Asheville, let’s see what he does against Tennessee or Florida’s larger frontline once SEC play begins.  I get it, but everything now points to Randle, potentially being the most ready instant impact player come draft day next June.

To put the numbers in perspective, per 35 minutes, Randle would have entered the collegiate record books by becoming one of the very few players to ever register a monstrous 30 point, 21 rebound performance in his NCAA debut.

Fellow highly touted freshmen and potential one-and-done Lottery prospects like Andrew Wiggins(16 points and 3 steals), Jabari Parker(22 points and 6 rebounds) of Duke, and Aaron Gordon(13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) of Arizona also had stellar debuts, but Randle looked most impressive……..

Julius Randle’s Kentucky Debut(23 Pts):

Andrew Wiggins Kansas Debut(16 Pts):

Jabari Parker’s Duke Debut(22 Pts):

Aaron Gordon’s Arizona Debut(13 Pts):

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

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