NCAA Basketball: Top 30 frontcourt players for 2021-22 season
By Ian Mumm
20. Dawson Garcia, UNC Tar Heels
Coming onto the college scene exactly as advertised, Garcia was highly productive in his lone year at Marquette. Leading the team in scoring and rebounding, he showed no signs of needing to adjust before achieving his potential. His offseason move to North Carolina is significant for both parties involved as well.
Garcia will garner more national recognition for his skillset as a Tar Heel and has the chance to help buoy the program that dealt with issues scoring the ball last season. On the other hand, UNC also stands to gain a lot from signing Garcia, specifically utilizing his ability to stretch the floor as a frontcourt player.
The 6’11” sophomore has comfortable and consistent perimeter range and has the capability to put the ball on the floor to create his own shot. Garcia may or may not post similar numbers this season at North Carolina, but his presence will help to space the offense for Armando Bacot and the rest of the backcourt to elevate the team’s offensive dynamic.
19. Nate Watson, Providence Friars
Big man Nate Watson has been a reliable piece for head coach Ed Cooley at Providence, but he has never truly been unleashed. He received that opportunity last year and was able to capitalize in a big way scoring 16.9 PPG and was awarded an All-Big East selection as a result. He put together his best season as well from an efficiency standpoint finishing north of 60% from the field for the entire year.
Watson, unfortunately, didn’t receive a lot of support last year outside of guard David Duke. The situation is unlikely to change given the Friars roster entering 2021-22, but the senior should implement the same mentality he displayed last year to attack the basket and pile on points. Potentially receiving a bigger workload, Watson has the means to challenge for a first-team all-conference selection and more.