Jarron Cumberland, University of Cincinnati
The 6-foot-5 junior guard was the key to a Bearcats’ attack that finished with a record of 25-6, second in the AAC regular season standings behind Houston. After being the AAC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore, Cumberland averaged 18.4 points per game during the 2018-19 season, which was good for second in the conference. He obtained First team AAC honors and was named AAC Player of the Year, an award voted on by head coaches within the conference.
Cumberland shot 40 percent from the three point range during the season and shot 40 percent from the field overall, forcing opponents to respect his ability to shoot from deep along with his slashing capabilities.
With such a top-heavy draft class, Cumberland may decide to return to Cincinnati for his senior season to show scouts he can be a successful two guard at the NBA level.
Jeremiah Martin, University of Memphis
Martin took exponential leaps his senior season. The 6-foot-3 point guard often put the Tigers on his back, averaging a league-best 19.7 points per game. Martin erupted for two 40-point games during the regular season and helped lead Memphis to both a 19-12 regular season record and a fifth place finish in the AAC standings.
Despite often bearing the brunt of the offensive load, Martin never complained or withered under the pressure. He shot 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range during the season. Named a unanimous First Team All-AAC member, he proved the skeptics wrong by showing what a true leader entails. Martin’s draft stock certainly increased after a February of averaging 30.6 points per game. He could certainly develop a more consistent jump shot, but Martin projects to be a high-level back-up point guard if given the right situation in the NBA.
Corey Davis Jr., University of Houston
Davis was the ringleader of a Cougars squad that represented the best team in the American. He averaged 16.6 points per game during the regular season, good for eighth in the conference. Davis shot 43 percent from the field, 39 percent from the three-point line, and 85 percent from the free throw line. The Cougars finished with a 29-2 record during the regular season, and Davis definitely spearheaded the movement. He was unanimously named First Team All-AAC, and the senior guard certainly has a chance to stick in the NBA as a sharpshooter coming off the bench.
Davis provided the Cougars with an all-around game that will be interesting for NBA teams who are looking for a player who is ready to play in the league now seeing that Davis will be a finished product ready to compete for backup point minutes right away.
Shizz Alston Jr, Temple University
Alston Jr. averaged 19.7 points per game, tying Martin for the league lead in that category, and also dished out 5.7 assists per game. Temple finished with a 22-9 regular season record, good for fourth place in the conference and their star senior obtained First-Team All AAC in the process. Alston Jr.’s playmaking ability led an Owls team that featured a very balanced attack, with three players making at least 12 points per game. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 40 percent in the season overall, with 35 percent from deep and a spectacular 90 percent from the charity stripe. While Alston Jr’s. ability to break down defenses will appeal to NBA teams, his lack of a consistent jump shot may force a year or two of G-League seasoning in order to refine it completely. Regardless, his talent alone will get him looks in the mid to late second round of the NBA Draft.
Jalen Adams, University of Connecticut
Despite being surrounded by a majority of underclassmen, Adams was still able to produce 17 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. UConn failed to finish in the top half of the league, but the senior guard gave it his all, despite suffering a MCL sprain during the season. The All-AAC Third Team member has several traits NBA teams wish for: slashing abilities, toughness and heart. Teams looking for a spark plug off their bench would be wise to give Adams a look. He certainly could go from mid second round to undrafted, and yet the UConn star could still find a way to carve out a role in the NBA.
