NCAA Basketball: Top 30 frontcourt players for 2021-22 season
By Ian Mumm
22. Quincy Guerrier, Oregon Ducks
The Ducks were very successful utilizing versatile, “small-ball-esque” forwards in their lineups last season. LJ Figueroa and Eugene Omoruyi were among the most productive players on the 2020-21 team and were main assets on both ends of the floor. Head coach Dana Altman has opted to pursue this route again with the signing of Syracuse transfer Quincy Guerrier.
Guerrier showed his well-rounded skillset in an expanded role last season for the Orange. His assets as a perimeter threat and physical interior presence make for a great addition on Oregon’s end. The Ducks feature a lot of talent in the backcourt and at the center position but are thinner in Guerrier’s position. With him, Altman’s team is set to be very well-rounded and can bring a lot of mismatches to the rest of the country in an attempt to repeat as Pac-12 champions.
21. Collin Castleton, Florida Gators
Castleton’s career and stock skyrocketed last season after moving from Michigan to Florida. Failing to see any minutes in a Wolverines uniform, the junior aced his initial opportunity to star for the Gators and replace outgoing forward Kerry Blackshear. Equaling Blackshear’s output last season, Castleton was able to live up to the billing of his abilities coming out of high school and matching the play of some of the best bigs in the nation.
Becoming an extremely reliable offensive piece for head coach Mike White, the Gators center shouldered an equivalent load as the team’s top options. Castleton was an efficient scoring threat, but his defensive contributions proved to be just as important to Florida’s season. Finishing 3rd in the SEC in blocks and 2nd in blocks per game, his ability to affect shots in numerous ways helped lead to an All-conference selection.
The team’s revamped backcourt may take some time to figure out, but the various weapons should help to propel the Gators’ attack. Castleton on the other hand is Florida’s lone workhorse in the paint and they need his productivity this season to make it back to the NCAA Tournament and finding success throughout the year.