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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 10: Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

James Rojas – Alabama

The 6’8 forward has been racking up individual accolades since high school, to prep school, and throughout his JUCO career. As he was about to embark on his NCAA career, a knee injury forced season-ending surgery. Rojas and Coach Nate Oats were looking forward to the opportunity for Rojas to replicate his 19 ppg, 6.8 rpg he averaged with Hutchinson Community College when he was named 2019 Jayhawk West Conference Player of the Year.

The Crimson Tide dressed five players ranging in height between 6’8 and 6’9, but as expected none were able to make an impact, with Alex Reese having the most success at 8.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg. For the most part, Reese logged his minutes at center, leaving a glaring hole at power forward. A hole that Rojas will still be expected to fill once the 2020-21 season rolls in. Four-star recruit Alex Tchikou will get some minutes at center, and ALL frontcourt players returning from last season, Rojas will still be the answer.

His near 80 percent success rate from the free-throw line does not translate to the three-point line, where he averages one make in over two and a half attempts per game, but it compliments his 53 percent success rate on two-point field goals. Rojas is going to make a difference for the Crimson Tide banging in the paint in 2020-21.

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