Ranking the freshman seasons of former number one high school recruits

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Former Syracuse Orange player Carmelo Anthony (C) receives his jersey from athletic director Daryl Gross (L) as his number is retired during a ceremony at half time during the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images) /

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Lamar Odom (Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images) /

Ranking the freshman seasons of former number one high school recruits: 9. Lamar Odom

Freshman stats: 17.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.8 apg

Almost no one could believe what they were looking at when Lamar Odom played basketball. A player who was 6’10” but could dribble the ball like a point guard and pass like one too. All the while, Odom was also punishing players in the low post. He had everything you could ask for in a player.

To no one’s surprise, Odom was considered the best high school player in 1997.

Odom spent his college career in little-known Rhode Island. Throughout the history of the program, they were never known as a powerhouse. That didn’t change even with Odom onboard. They finished the year with a 20-13 record and were bounced from the NCAA Tournament in the opening round.

It wasn’t the result they were hoping for but Odom did his thing regardless. The Swiss Army Knife averaged 17.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

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