Ranking The 2016-17 Oklahoma State Freshmen Basketball Players

Oklahoma State’s five freshman are a fascinating mix of players, from all over the country and even the world. After a coaching change at a school, it is very common for a recruiting class to split up and head in all different directions sometimes following the former coach to their new school, sometimes going to another of their favorite schools on their list.

However, Brad Underwood did a great job of retaining several key Travis Ford recruits, and bringing a few of his own.

Several of them will likely play important roles in 2016-2017 in Underwood’s first season at the helm, and others will need a year or two of seasoning and experience before they break into the rotation and get serious minutes. Let’s take a look at the freshman and rank their importance to the Cowboys this season.

1. Lindy Waters III, SG. 6’6, 215 lbs.

Lindy has been impressing in practice and played lights out in the exhibition game against Pittsburg State- 16 points (on 6-8 shooting), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 17 minutes. The 6’6 combo guard looks like a star in the waiting for the Cowboys — Brad Underwood loves him already:

“Lindy plays with unbelievable tempo and unbelievable pace,” Underwood told reporters. “His IQ is very high and he’s just going to continue to get better as he gains confidence.”

He may be blocked in the starting five by Phil Forte at shooting guard, but Lindy will be one of the first guys off the bench all year long, and will provide a much needed scoring option when Jawun Evans/Phil Forte/Jeff Carroll need a breather.

A huge problem for the Cowboys last year was that they could not score with their second team. Lindy Waters gives them a threat they simply didn’t have off the bench. A big guard who can shoot it, drive to the rim on smaller guards, and handle the ball superbly. Not to mention, his length will cause all kinds of issues for shooting guards on the defensive end. Watch out for no 21.

2. Cameron McGriff, SF/PF. 6’7, 210 lbs.

McGriff was a fairly overlooked 3-star recruit out of Grand Prairie, Texas. However, he’s built like a tank at 6’7, and will be called on often this season for his rebounding and post defending abilities. Brad Underwood had this to say about his young forward.

“Cam is competitive, he’s fiery, [and] he’s a great, great competitor. You can tell a guy who’s been exceptionally well coached, [and] has a lot of the basic fundamental things down. He can step out and shoot it, and that will continued to get better and he matures and gets older.

“Physically, he’s ready to play major college basketball. That’s only going to get enhanced with what we do in the weight room because right now he’s just spitting nails; he’s eating up the weight room. He’s a versatile guy. He can guard three spots on the floor easily. His athleticism and body are going to allow him to be very productive.”

McGriff hits the glass harder than any other player on the roster, refuses to be outworked in the post, and is a physical specimen unlike most freshman. Check out a few highlights from his high school career.

He has quite a bit of growth needed on the offensive end, but McGriff is key to the Cowboys success even in his freshman year, with only 4 players on the roster expecting to get playing time 6’7 or over.

3. Brandon Averette, PG. 5’11, 175 lbs.

Jawun Evans is the best point guard in the Big 12 and one of the best in the entire nation, but he can’t play all 40 minutes a game. Averette will run the show when Evans is on the bench catching a breath, and the Cowboys will have the ability to continue to play fast and aggressive with the freshman running point.

Averette is undersized at 5’11, 175 lbs., but plays with a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s lightening quick, has a straight-up rude pull up jumper, and loves to get his teammates the ball.

He’s also a pest on the defensive end, with terrific on the ball defending capabilities. Averette will provide a huge spark off the bench for the Cowboys as a freshman.

4. Thomas Dziagwa, G. 6’4, 175 lbs.

Dziagwa comes from Temple Terrace, Florida, and was a Ford signee who decided to stick with OSU after Brad Underwood took over. Dziagwa is another guard who plays fast, handles the ball well, and can shoot it from 3. There are a glut of guards on the roster, so Dziagwa may not get too many extended minutes as a freshman.

However, the former three-star PG recruit will get the opportunity to play all year against terrific competition in practice, and could contribute as a big way in the future for the Cowboys. Brad Underwood sees the potential in Dziagwa.

“Thomas is a gym rat, and he’s a guy that is a tremendous shooter,” Underwood told Go Pokes. “He proved that last summer on the circuit. He proved it in high school. He’s one of the elite shooters out there. Physically, he’s one of those guys that has got to get stronger.”

5. Lucas N’Guessan, C. 7’0, 215 lbs.

N’Guessan was a later signee for Underwood, out of the Netherlands. The 7-footer played three years at the Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, and gained some international experience playing with the Netherlands. He represented his country at the 2015 U18 FIBA Championships, where he averaged 3.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in just over 13 minutes per game.

N’Guessan is a project with great length and ability, but needs time to fill out if he wants to play in the paint in the Big 12. He’ll see a bit of time when other bigs get into foul trouble, but will likely need a year or two to adjust to Division 1 basketball.