Pac-12 Basketball Tournament: Washington, Arizona State the favorites

Players to Watch

Matisse Thybulle – Washington

Thybulle is leading the nation in steals with 3.5 per game, almost half a steal more than Tremont Waters who is sitting at #2. He is also Top 25 in the nation in blocks with 2.2 per game. That is only three spots behind potential lottery pick, 6’11Jaxson Hayes. Many consider him one of the best defenders in college basketball along with Duke’s Tre Jones.

Tres Tinkle – Oregon State

Tinkle is one of the most slept on players in the Pac-12 and maybe in the whole country. The senior is averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds and just about 3 assists throughout his four-year career. This year he is averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. That means in the conference he is second in points, fifth in rebounds and eighth in assists. Tinkle has been spectacular all season long and he is definitely someone you should be looking out for.

KZ Okpala – Stanford

Okpala is almost a lock as a first rounder as long as he stays healthy but is also someone who many people probably have not heard of. He doesn’t play on a ranked team so it makes sense why he’s not in the national spotlight much but will be the second Pac-12 player off the board in the NBA Draft, behind Bol Bol.

For more NBA Draft info, check out the most recent Busting Brackets Mock Draft by Brian Rauf. Okpala is the prototypical NBA wing, measuring in at 6’9 with a near 7 foot wingspan who can shoot the three and his upside on the defensive end is extraordinary. He’s not quite the shooter yet but he reminds me a lot of Villanova’s Mikal Bridges.

Luguentz Dort – Arizona State

Dort was the main contributor the Arizona State’s early season success, posting double figures in their first 11 games, including 33 against Utah State. The Canada Native played himself into the conversation as a potential early first round pick. Dort’s inability to shoot from the perimeter is what is making him be seen as a late first-rounder or second rounder and not a lock to go in the first round. There is a good chance he comes back for his sophomore season in attempt to improve his draft stock but I believe it is still uncertain at this time.

Robert Franks – Washington State

Other than Tres Tinkle, Franks is easily the most overlooked player in the Pac-12. He is quietly leading the conference with 22 points per game on 49.9 percent from the field. His freshman season he averaged just two points per game and shot under 30 percent from the field, showing how important a four year college career is to some players. He also shooting 40 percent from three and 84 percent from the free throw line. He also broke Washington State’s three-point field goal record last year with 10 against Cal. I think the 6’9 Forward can transition into more of a SF in the league with his build and ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor.