Pac-12 Basketball: Underappreciated player from each team for 2020-21

OMAHA, NE - DECEMBER 04: Head Dana Altman talks to Eugene Omoruyi #2, Chris Duarte #5, and LJ Figueroa #30 during a college basketball game against the Seton Hall Pirates on December 4, 2020 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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Pac-12 Basketball Jalen Graham Khalid Thomas Arizona State Sun Devils (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Arizona State Sun Devils – Jalen Graham

The Arizona State Sun Devils are having a disappointing season 6-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play but did beat a quality Stanford team 79-75 last Saturday. The Sun Devils have had Marcus Bagley come back from an injury recently and have also missed games from Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge due to a funeral and COVID-19 protocol. Josh Christopher who figures to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has been a big contributor as well.

But Jalen Graham has had some good moments this year. In only 23.7 minutes per game, he’s blocking an impressive 1.9 shots a game and is currently 36th in the country in block rate. Graham is long witch helps him block and change shots. He’s also improved his scoring from 3.2 points per game to 7.9. He’s got to improve as a free throw shooter shooting 45.8 percent from the line. That needs to get better.

Overall, Arizona State doesn’t have a whole lot outside of their big four who contributes for 58.6 out of their 75.6 points. But Graham has done a really good job protecting the rim and has been a bright spot for them. The next thing for him is developing some more touch away from the rim.

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