NCAA Basketball: Formerly injured players set for big impact in 2020-21

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Joshua Langford #1 during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 82-78 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 11: The Ivy League logo (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Gabe Stefanini – Columbia

There was speculation in early October that the 6’3 guard from Bologna, Italy would be ready to return in early January, unfortunately for Stefanini and Columbia Basketball, such was not the case. The 2018-19 All-Ivy Second Team selection would not play this past season but has started 27 of the 28 games he played while averaging 32 minutes as a sophomore has provided enough evidence to have Lions’ fans anxiously awaiting his return.

As a sophomore, his 13.8 points per game was accompanied by a 25.9 usage rate, which made him the eighth-most likely player in the conference to end his team’s possession with a field goal attempt, free-throw attempt or a turnover. With teammate Patrick Tape’s usage percentage totaling the eleventh most, there is little reason to believe that Stefanini will be any less a focal point for Columbia.

Stefanini’s impact will stretch beyond his 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc, the 2018-19 season saw him lead the Ivy League in assists per game as well as accumulating the third most steals. With leading scorer Mike Smith (22.8 ppg) graduating, the 2020-21 season is the perfect time for Stefanini to return to the backcourt with Tai Bibbs and lead the Columbia Lions in scoring and assists.

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