This article is part of our College Basketball Waiver Wire series.
Power Conferences
Leaky Black, G, North Carolina
This column has featured just about everyone in UNC's rotation given the plethora of injuries they've suffered, but somehow Black has been omitted until now. He's not going to be a consistent scorer for you -- having reached double-digits only three times -- but if you know that going in, you'll be treated to sound all-around production. Black is coming off of an eight-point, nine-assist, seven-rebound, two-steal effort against Duke, and the Heels look much better with him at point and Cole Anthony off of the ball. That should lead to more assist chances going forward.
Isaiah Livers, G, Michigan
It seems reasonable that Livers is available in leagues with larger player pools, as he's played just two games since Dec. 1, and his production doesn't immediately scream fantasy starter. But 13.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg are bench depth worthy at least, and given that Livers played 31 minutes in his return Saturday, he's seemingly fully over his groin issues.
Eric Hunter Jr., G, Purdue
Hunter profiles as a polar opposite to Livers; he's started all but one game for the Boilermakers, and has been a steady producer all season. He simply hasn't been spectacular, and as such is not getting much fantasy ink. He's reached double-digits in three straight while handing out six or more assists twice in his last five outings. Hunter has more appeal in leagues where 3-pointers, or 3-point percentage helps, as he's shooting 39.8 percent from long range, making 1.5 nightly.
Rasir Bolton, G, Iowa State
Bolton could already be owned as the Cyclones second scoring option, but if Tyrese Haliburton's wrist issue proves to be serious, Bolton is going to be in for a big week, or more. Bolton put in 29 points earlier in the year when Haliburton sat, compiling a 36.5 percent usage rate. He's had standalone value but looks to be on a helium watch for the short term.
Andrew Jones, G, Texas
If Jase Febres (knee) misses significant time, Jones looks like he'll be the beneficiary. He poured in 18 points in 33 minutes against Texas Tech, amassing a 31.4 percent usage rate in the process. Consistency has been a season-long issue for Jones, who has scored in single-digits 13 times but also owning three 20-point outings. If there's less competition for minutes, Jones should stabilize his scoring.
Qudus Wahab, C, Georgetown
Wahab is a mere speculative add given the uncertainty of Omer Yurtseven, who exited Saturday with what head coach Patrick Ewing said was a "bad" ankle sprain. The Hoyas are off until this coming weekend, giving Yurtseven plenty of recovery time. But if he misses action, Wahab can carry you defensively while chipping in a few points and boards in the process. He swatted six Saturday against DePaul, and would be in line to play more than his career-high 23 minutes. It's probably worth taking a peek at Mac McClung too, just in case he was dropped. He was close to returning last week, and with the full week off before Saturday's tilt, McClung seemingly will suit up and would be the offensive focal point without Yurtseven.
Marcus Tsohonis, G, Washington
Tsohonis has taken control of the Huskies' point guard job with Quade Green out, and is starting to come into his own as a producer. He's started the last two games and put up 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals while playing 31.5 minutes. You might prefer more assists from the position, but it's rare to find a player with this secure of a new role this last in the year.
Maik Kotsar, F, South Carolina
Kotsar's role doesn't really change with Justin Minaya (thumb) possibly out of the rest of the season as he's a regular starter for the Gamecocks, but perhaps his opportunities do. Kotsar is averaging 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.3 blocks over his last four games, twice scoring at least 19 points. The defensive contributions have made him an elite option over that span and he's averaging career bests in both categories for the year, so there's reason to believe those numbers won't fall substantially.
Scotty Pippen Jr., G, Vanderbilt
With Aaron Nesmith now likely out for the year, the Commodore rotation is an obvious spot to look for waiver adds. Maxwell Evans erupted for 31 points last week against LSU, but didn't have more than two of any other countable stat and followed it up with a seven-point stinker against Mississippi State. I personally like forward Dylan Disu to show more consistency over the final month of the year, but for now, Pippen is the safest bet for production outside of Saben Lee. He's averaged 11.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.0 spg in nine games without Nesmith.
Secondary Conferences
Martins Igbanu, F, Tulsa
While not sustainable, you have to take notice of the heater Igbanu is on. He's scored 30, 29 and 28 points over a four-game stretch and is averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds across 27.7 reserve minutes in his last six games. He's second on the team in usage despite not starting, and if leading scorer Brandon Rachal continues to miss time due to an ankle injury, Igbanu looks poised for continued monster production.
Elijah Childs, F, Bradley
Childs returned from a nine-game absence due to a hand injury with a bang, putting up 19 points and 11 rebounds against Evansville. He was averaging 14.2 points and 9.1 rebounds prior to injury, and clearly looks ready to return to similar production.
Jazz Johnson, G, Nevada
Johnson is back from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury, and can be plucked off wires wherever he was dropped. He put up 13 points and five boards in just 22 minutes in his return, and should see closer to the 33.0 minutes he was averaging before injury in short order, and his 16.1 ppg season total plays in most formats.
Jahlil Tripp, G, Pacific
Tripp lands here because his play deserves a few extra sentences from our staff. I'd be floored if he was available in leagues that feature the Tigers, but the junior is having a terrific breakout season, averaging 15.2 ppg and 8.8 rpg, up from 10.6 and 5.7 a season ago. It's come at the expense of his assist totals (1.9 this year after 3.0 last year), but the rebounding rate from a guard is tremendous. To that point, he's pulled down 35 boards over the last two games.
