NCAA Division II Hidden Gems

Daniel Love

The Division II of the NCAA is one of the most important reservoirs for the production of players that can be used on the European market, often the quality/salary ratio is extremely advantageous and many players are willing to start from lower level leagues to grow and make a name for themselves in the Old World. In the following lines the selection of a part of the profiles evaluated by Italian Basketball Scouting.

Dante Moses (196 cm – 88 kg – New Mexico Highlands) Scorer with an effective first step and ability to move off the ball, he is an excellent free throws generator. Valuable help under the basket but must discipline himself defensively, important statistics: 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds but also 3.9 turnovers per game.

Matt Cartwright (196 cm – 90 kg – Sioux Falls) Deadly shooter, catch and shoot or getting out of blocks doesn’t matter: 39.5% on almost 9 attempts per match. It pays off in athletic and physical terms but compensates with good knowledge of the game and dedication; he finished his last season with 21.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Michael Mays (178 cm – 78 kg – King) Point guard with an easy basket, lightning first step and unlimited shooting range with a surgical free throw percentage (93.5%) but his playmaking skills can be reviewed: just 1.3 average assists per game. Poisonous on the passing lines in defense, the season figures say 24 points per game on 47% from the field.

Jacolbey Owens (185 cm – 82 kg – Valdosta State) A growing floor general, always ready to put his teammates in pace (6.2 assists average) can go to the rim thanks to the combination of an incisive first step and athleticism while shooting from over the arch marks a worrying decline (31.4%). He finished the senior season averaging a career-high 15 points.

TyShaun Crawford (216 cm – 120 kg – Augusta) Called to play the PIT 2023, exaggerated physique which is difficult to limit near the iron and the percentages from the field are clear: 65.2% from the field. In the defensive phase he is a valid intimidator but for the size the rebounding presence is disappointing: 21.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his last season.

rashun williams (201 cm – 100 kg – Texas Tyler) Swingman with great athleticism which allows him a certain versatility to cover multiple positions, he moves well off the ball and when approaching the iron he guarantees a show. Reviewable shooting selection (38.1% in the season) but interesting figures: 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Daniel Love (191 cm – 79 kg – Eckerd College) Scorer with Swedish passport, can play as a secondary handler but the best is off the ball. Constant in finding the basket even from beyond the three-point arc (37.7%) he pays something in terms of physicality but compensates with good athleticism; 16.8 on average with 3.1 assists “cancelled” by the same turnover number.

Jahmir Marable-Williams (178 cm – 77 kg – UDC) A metronome that at first sight might inspire little confidence, physically suffers but compensates with knowledge of the game and ability to anticipate opponents. Shooting from outside is not a prerogative (28.8%) but woe to bet against it in point-to-point finals. Season figures at 11.6 points with 6.3 assists and 2.2 steals.

Ty Parks (196cm – 88kg – Union TN) An ever improving career culminating with 41 points in his last collegiate outing; great athlete with some ability to move off the ball but able to find the basket from outside (37% of 5.3 attempts). In defense he can become a factor and rebounding is already a valuable aid. He finished with 19.4 points, 7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Olamide Pedersen (206 cm – 95 kg – Western New Mexico) Danish center with truly remarkable athleticism and impact near the iron, in the offensive phase he is rather limited and in fact finds the basket only with dunks or comfortable supports despite having shown an encouraging improvement in free throws (from 59% to 80%). In just 18′ he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as well as 3.2 fouls.

Isaiah Sanders (196 cm – 88 kg – Fairmont State) A deadly shooter from beyond the arc, he impresses his 43.7% on over 7 attempts per match. Ballistic skills combines athleticism and a certain ability to move without the ball that make it difficult to limit; he needs to improve his handler skills and discipline himself in the defensive phase. 18.6 points with 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.