Big 12 Basketball: Top 15 impact players from 2020 recruiting class

MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Cade Cunningham #1 of Montverde Academy dunks the ball against NSU University School in the quarterfinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 04, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

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ANCHORAGE, AK – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Scott Drew (L) of the Baylor Bears (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

13. Baylor Bears: Zach Loveday

You read that right, at 7’0, and weighing in at 215 pounds coming from Huntington Prep, Zach Loveday has been dubbed by his high school coach as a stretch five. Nationally ranked at number 106 and fourteenth at his position, Loveday lives up to that moniker as he would hit a number of open three-pointers as he trailed the play with his defender waiting for him in the key.

His blessing in high school may also be his curse when it comes to the NCAA. His 215-pound frame allowed him to fill the lanes and get ahead of the ball on fastbreaks for easy dunks but pounding in the paint al a higher level may not be possible. Finding spot minutes for Loveday will not be an issue, but substantial minutes that would allow him to make a greater impact will be challenging.

The good news, putting on weight is much easier than shedding weight for a freshman. Coach Scott Drew had outgoing starting center Freddie Gillespie set a lot of off-ball screens in order to roll and receive a pass after the swing. Loveday is a substantially better shooter than Gillespie who attempted zero threes over 56 games. Being 30 pounds lighter than Gillespie, the freshman 15 will help Loveday set a bigger screen.

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