WAC Basketball: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Members of the New Mexico State Aggies celebrate after defeating the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners 70-60 to win the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference Basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

3 of 9

BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 8: Head coach Tracy Dildy of the Chicago State Cougars looks on against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on November 8, 2013 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana won 100-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Chicago State Cougars – SR Fred Sims Jr

The state of the Cougars as an institution can be discussed as an article by itself. The school budgetary issues have made their existence as a division one program in doubt. Of course the basketball program looked just as bad as their financial situation, finishing dead last in the standings.

Plenty of issues remain for Chicago State. They were awful offensively, and one of the two players who scored more than double figures a game graduated. Losing Trayvon Palmer, who averaged 15 a game is devastating for a scoring drought laden team.

With that being said, the Cougars still have a great talent who might be the best NBA prospect in the league.

Fred Sims led the team with 18.8 ppg and 4.5 rebs a game. The 6’4 senior had an eight point improvement from his sophomore season to help keep the team in as many games as possible.

The do-it-all guard played almost 35 minutes a night, and every time he went to the bench the offense became stagnant. His low shooting percentages (36% from the field and 32% from distance) could be explained by being one of two guys with any offense.

Unless someone else can provide any offense, it will be a long year for both Sims and Chicago State, regardless of how talented Sims is.