College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups for the Week

Power Conferences

Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn

Run, don't walk, to make a claim here. Cooper has gained his eligibility, and the former five-star recruit pumped in 26 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals in his debut, playing 33 minutes. He looks like an immediate game changer for SEC formats, and well worth rostering in deeper pools as well.

Daivien Williamson, G, Wake Forest

Williamson has started all but one of the Deacons' games, and is coming off of a season-high 39 minutes at Duke where he posted 17 points, two boards, two assists and two steals. He's been a bit inconsistent in the scoring column, but is averaging a usable 10.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.5 spg. Those all-around contributions can be of great short term value in ACC circles where multiple team's currently have their seasons' paused.

Reece Beekman, G, Virginia

The Cavaliers continue to tinker with their rotation, and Beekman has started the last two games as a result, playing 37 minutes in each. He's not lighting things up, posting a combined 16 points, four rebounds, six assists and five steals. But it's rare to find a minutes boost like this in January, and if it stays, the assist and steal totals look appealing, or can at least provide some depth options in ACC-heavy leagues.

Justice Sueing, F, Ohio State

Sueing is seemingly a maddening fantasy option, in that he flashes enough that he should be rostered, but he's too inconsistent to trust on a nightly basis. He scored in double-digits in each of the Buckeyes first four games, but has done so just three times in his last eight outings. For this column, two of those have come in his last three, including his first double-double of the year Saturday, where he also added five assists. Hopefully that's the spark to lead to consistency.

Joshua Langford, G, Michigan State

Maybe I should give up on the Langford of prior seasons coming back, but he's finally starting to show glimpses, finding his way into 12.0 ppg over the last three despite shooting just 40.2 percent. He's still not doing much peripherally (2.0 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg), but if you're looking to spruce up your depth with the hope of a return to glory down the stretch, now is the time to take a risk on Langford. Worst case is he's churned again in a few weeks.

Derrick Walker, F, Nebraska

Walker has been cleared from suspension, and started in his Husker debut, putting up 10 points, three rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block in 26 minutes. You'd assume the minutes slightly uptick as he continues to get into shape, and that should give him an opportunity to help both the team's, and your, front court in Big 10 heavy formats.

DaJuan Gordon, G, Kansas State

The Wildcats are incredibly shorthanded, so wherever Gordon or Mike McGuirl are available, and Selton Miguel and Rueadale Williams to a lesser degree, they should be considered, as all four played at least 39 minutes over the weekend. Gordon is my preference as a top-rebounding guard, averaging 6.9 per game and reaching double-digits four times in his last seven outings. Until KSU get healthy, Gordon will have nightly appeal.

Andrej Jakimovski, F, Washington State

Jakimovski seems like a freshman who's trending in the right direction. He's coming off of a career-high 19 points, and after starting his career with just six points in his first three games, has now scored in double-digits in six of his last eight games. The rebounding total leaves some to be desired, but he has gone for at least six in five games. He's averaged a robust 36 minutes in the Cougars last three, and that time should lead to consistency for at least as long as Wazzou remains shorthanded. 

Keion Brooks, F, Kentucky

This feels like the no-brainer of the week if not for Cooper. Brooks made his season debut after missing time with a calf injury, and immediately led the Wildcats to an upset of Florida by producing 12 points, cis rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes. He's a stabilizing force for a still-raw roster, and the minutes should tick up as a result as his health remains stable.

Eric Gaines, G, LSU

There's been no immediate update on the status of Cameron Thomas, who managed only four minutes Saturday against Ole Miss after suffering an ankle injury. Gaines is merely a preemptive add for Thomas managers in SEC-heavy leagues. He saw a career-high 28 minus in Thomas' absence, and provided 12 points, two boards, two rebounds and an impressive four steals.

Tier 2 Conferences

Tavian Dunn-Martin, G, Duquesne

We teased Dunn-Martin as a potential add two weeks ago, as the Dukes have a trim rotation were returning to action after a long layoff, but he wasn't the priority. Following this week's announcement that Sincere Carry will transfer, Dunn-Martin's role is clear. He played 35 minutes in Duquesne's last outing, and should offer stable scoring and steals totals, while the assists could trend upward as he takes on more point guard responsibilities.

David Jenkins, G, UNLV

The Rebels' season was paused for just over a month, but Jenkins picked up right where he left off. After scoring 25 on December 5 against Kansas State, Jenkins has poured in 40 points in two games since the Rebels' restart, adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals. He had a sound 32.2 percent usage rate in their last outing, and that figures to continue with UNLV undermanned.

Logan Johnson, G, St. Mary's

Johnson has started three straight with Alex Ducas sidelined by a leg injury, averaging 15.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.3 spg in that span. With no word on Ducas' return being imminent, Johnson is a fine play where the WCC features prominently.