6. De’Sean Allen-Eikens – North Dakota / New Orleans
Before heading off to college, Allen-Eikens had success at the high school level in North Dakota, as most of these players experienced. What some on this list didn’t quite have is the immediate success that Allen-Eikens had. After redshirting his first collegiate year, he was a stud for the Fighting Hawks during his freshman campaign, while injuries have really affected his most recent seasons, including after transferring to New Orleans.
As a redshirt freshman, Allen-Eikens started nearly every game and averaged 13.8 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, setting the freshman scoring record for the Fighting Hawks. He scored a career-high 22 points in his debut and scored in double figures in nearly every game on the season. Unfortunately, he played just five games as a sophomore before suffering an injury and later transferring to New Orleans. His junior year was also limited, as Allen-Eikens played just 14 games for the Privateers, averaging 5.9 points a game.
Allen-Eikens showed great potential as a freshman, finishing among the Summit League’s leaders in points and offensive rebounding. Injuries and inconsistency have been a disaster for him these last two years but there’s still time to turn things around. The talented wing has transferred again and will hope to make a more important impact next season at Cal State Northridge in the Big West.