Washington’s major college programs are all in various states of rebuilding this winter, so the latest crop of youngsters needs to have an impact. With the first month of the season complete, here are freshmen who have stood out:
Jordan Williams, F, Maryland » With Michael Sweetney-like hands that seem able to deftly gobble up any ball around the rim, the 6-foot-9 Williams has emerged as just the kind of bulky presence in the middle that the Terrapins desperately needed. It’s too bad he wasn’t around last year, but his impressive double-double vs. Villanova (19 points, 12 rebounds) gives hope of his potential in the ACC.
Luke Hancock, G, George Mason » The 6-5 Roanoke native is already among the Patriots top two in scoring, rebounding, assists — and turnovers — as he begins to assume some of the point guard duties from Cam Long. Fellow freshman Sherrod Wright, however, also is on the rise. His 17 points in Tuesday’s loss to Dayton should be a sign of things to come.
Hollis Thompson, F, Georgetown » The Hoyas’ bench barely runs seven players deep, so it’s crucial that sixth-man Thompson (5.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) — who enrolled last spring — makes the most of his 20 minutes per game. Thompson is long — he’s listed at 6-6 but is still growing — but he’s still got to pack on more muscle to make the hustle plays Georgetown will need to survive in the Big East.
Lasan Kromah, G, George Washington » His 14.5 points per game jump off the stat sheet, but Kromah isn’t doing anything different than the rest of the young Colonials. Among a bunch of athletes that are aggressive and love to play in transition, Kromah has simply been the most efficient so far.
