This week we are focusing on forwards that can pass and little guys that clean the glass. As college teams go with more three guard lineups, it will be harder to find forwards that can dish (Bill Walton is just as upset about this as me) but much easier to find guards that can bang. Let’s take a look at five guys who can help your fantasy team in categories that are scarce for their positions.
Klay Thompson, G/F, Washington State. Okay, this may be a reach. Thompson is listed on most sites as a guard and rightfully so, but I must add that he is 6-foot-6 and that could lead to him being listed as a SF in some leagues. Known mostly as a scorer heading into this season, he has almost doubled his previous season high (2.3) in assists this season (4.0). A lot of this has to do with Faisal Aden stepping up as a scoring threat and Reggie Moore missing the first five games of the year with an injury. He has dished out at least five assists in seven games this season and has really become a great all-around player.
Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA. The super skilled sophomore had fantasy owners drooling last season when he showed off his passing skills by putting up nine assists late in the season against Oregon. Although his assist total is exactly the same as last season (2.7), owners have to be disappointed. He had some high turnover games out of the gate this season that may have caused him to be more conservative. The talent is there though and hopefully he will be unleashed in the second half of the season to dish out some dimes.
Trent Lockett, G, Arizona State. The 6-foot-4 sophomore isn’t afraid to mix it up with the big boys. He is averaging 5.9 rebounds and has grabbed at least seven boards in over half of his games this season. He has become the best player on the team this season and should only get stronger down the stretch as he recovers from a toe injury. If the Sun Devils don’t start winning more games soon, expect some of the younger players to start playing more and that only means more responsibility for Lockett. Grab him if you need a do-it-all guard.
Allen Crabbe, G, California. If you are looking for an under-the-radar freshman, Crabbe is your guy. The 6-foot-4 freshman hasn’t had a problem with the physicality of the college game. He is averaging 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds but he has really started to come on recently and is better than those numbers. In his last six games, he is up to 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds while playing 37 minutes. He is a star on the rise.
Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington. He is generously listed at 5-foot-9 but that hasn’t stopped him from going inside to grab a board. He is averaging 16.5 points and 5.4 assists which would make him one of the elite point guards in the country with those numbers alone. Throw in the fact that he pulls down 3.6 rebounds and you have yourself a fantasy superstar on your roster. It’s probably too late to pull a quick one on his owner, but try anway.