Here is a look at how Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Julius Randle all did in their season debuts, including a NBA scouts take
(via Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com)Andrew Wiggins, Kansas:
Final Stat Line: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers
Analysis: It is hard to look at that stat line and be blown away. The expectations, however, are so high for Wiggins it's hard to think of what he could have done outside of scoring 50 points to meet them. Wiggins had a strong night from the floor (5-9) and did lead Kansas in scoring, but didn't show the flashes of greatness many people expected to see.
Scouts Take: “Great athlete, no way he’s the top pick in the draft. Julius Randle is better. There’s just way too much hype. His skill level is average. He made a few shots, but plays straight up and down and doesn’t have any playmaking skills. Everything has to be a straight-line drive. Right now, he’s the third or fourth-best player for Kansas. He’s long and athletic, but has a long way to go.”
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Jabari Parker, Duke:
Final Stat Line: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover
Analysis: Parker flashed the kind of inside/outside game in his debut that had to have Sixers fans salivating. The freshman was 3-3 from beyond the arc, but also showed the ability to go into the paint and score with his back to the basket. What might have been most impressive about Parker in his debut, however, was some of the passes he made when faced with a double team.
Scouts Take: “He is a matchup nightmare, especially when they play him at the five. He’s bigger and stronger than I thought he was. He made his jumpers and came off screens and made a 3. That forces you to play up on him and then he just abuses you going to the rim. He’s got very good athleticism. He has to get better defensively, and will. He rebounded well and can handle the ball like a guard. He has to learn how to bring it every play and needs to get a little better with his back to the basket moves.”
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Julius Randle, Kentucky:
Final Stat Line: 23 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover
Analysis Randle put up the best stat line of the night, posting a double-double in Kentucky's win over UNC-Ashville. The Kentucky roster is so deep that it's going to be hard for any one player to dominate, but Randle came pretty close. Randle showed he can beat his man and get to the basket, but is also big enough to take the contact and finish the play.
Scouts Take: “His body, his shoulders are so big. You know it, but it’s different when you see it in person. There’s just not much you can do about him. He’s so strong, and so quick off the floor. He goes hard. He’s a man. He needs to do a better job finishing through contact. But he’s so big and strong, that you expect him to dominate. What people are going to forget is that he’s still just a kid.”
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Winner: Julius RandleAlthough Parkers' shooting from beyond the arc was impressive, 15 rebounds to go with 23 points from Randle are hard to ignore. Wiggins, meanwhile, did nothing to stop the red flags that are starting to be raised about the consensus top pick. - Quote :
- Andrew Wiggins: The 6-8 wing took nine shots, made five and finished with a team-high 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in KU's 80-63 win over Louisiana-Monroe.
Julius Randle: The 6-9 forward took 12 shots, made six and finished with a team-high 23 points and 15 rebounds in UK's 89-57 win over UNC-Asheville.
Jabari Parker: The 6-8 wing took 10 shots, made eight and finished with a team-high 22 points, six rebounds and two assists in Duke's 111-77 win over Davidson.
Subject: Andrew Wiggins vs Jabari Parker vs Julius Randle - the debuts 
