ACC Basketball: 5 rising stars to keep an eye on in 2018-19

3. Chris Lykes, Miami

Freshman point guard Chris Lykes hit the ground running for the Miami Hurricanes in 2017-18. He started just 10 games for the Hurricanes, but by season’s end, his impact was hard to ignore.

The 5-foot-7 Lykes averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 assists and 1.2 rebounds per contest. In conference play, his averages went up to 11.9 points and 3.1 assists per game. He wasn’t selected to All-Freshman team by season’s end, but he did receive five votes for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

With all eyes on Lonnie Walker IV, Lykes still was able to find his way alongside the one-and-done freshman. Considering they have more transfers coming in, it gives Lykes a leg up on the competition that he started in nine of the last 12 contests in 2017-18.

He averaged 13.8 points, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game through the month of February while shooting 44.2% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range. With some depth on the way, Lykes could find himself in the starting rotation full time for 2018-19, which should produce greater results.