Big 12 Basketball: Top 5 rising juniors for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf | Jul 17, 2018

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after fouling out against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 08: Jaylen Fisher #0 of the TCU Horned Frogs drives to the basket past Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Jaylen Fisher, TCU

One of the country’s most underrated players, Fisher showed his importance to this TCU team by not being there during the second half of last season.

Prior to him suffering a season-ending knee injury in practice in mid-January, the Horned Frogs were 13-4 and ranked No. 16 in the country. After he went down with that injury, TCU went just 8-8 and were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Syracuse.

What makes Fisher so important to TCU’s success? He’s a versatile offensive threat who can fill it up from the outside (43.9 percent three-point shooter) or attack the basket, yet it’s his playmaking (5.4 apg) and ability to run the offense that demonstrates his real value. Plus, he may very well be TCU’s best perimeter defender.

Health will continue to be a major question mark surrounding Fisher as that was the second knee injury he suffered in a six-month period. Assuming he’s able to return fully healthy, TCU’s star may very well be a First-Team All-Big 12 selection.

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