College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

We're forward-heavy in this week's edition of the waiver wire -- a rare occurrence, as the college game usually lends itself to depth in backcourts, not frontcourts. Here's a look at some names who may have gone undrafted who can help right some wrongs and hopefully help for the long haul, rather than just be spot/short term options.

Power Conferences

Matthew Hurt, F, Duke

While presumably selected on draft day, we'll mention him here anyway just in case he flew under the radar with such a strong recruiting class. Hurt is the quintessential post-recruiting hype season-long target. He's overshadowed by Duke's current band of one-and-dones, but it's clear he's put in the work and is ready to explode. He's very clearly bulked up, which was his biggest weakness a season ago. It's resulted in 8.7 boards to go along with 19.0 points through three games. I won't lie, I saw Jimmy Chitwood when watching him against Michigan State. There's All-ACC potential here.

Alan Griffin, F, Syracuse

The Illinois transfer is really finding his niche in upstate New York. While not fully stepping into Elijah Hughes' departed alpha role, Griffin is playing similarly, putting up a robust 15.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 4.0 apg through three. The assist total probably slides down throughout the year, but Syracuse will need the offense, and the rebounds should stay for as long as Bourama Sidibe remains sidelined. He's a multi-category option for the foreseeable future.

Nate Laszewski, F, Notre Dame

Every now and then, I get things right. That looks to be the case with Laszewski, who I touted both early for DFS purposes and as a conference sleeper. Early returns suggest I may have undersold, as Laszewski has been great for the Irish, averaging 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 58.8 percent. To reiterate, he's not John Mooney and shouldn't be added with that expectation. But we're seeing why he was once a top recruit, and now's likely your last chance to add him, if that window hasn't already closed.

Greg Williams, G, St. John's

Williams looks like he's in the midst of a breakout junior campaign. He's averaging 13.4 points after posting a mere 5.7 ppg last year, adding a serviceable 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a robust 3.4 steals thus far, three times going for at least four thefts in five outings. The defense alone, even if it regresses, makes Williams a streaming option, but the improved offense isn't an albatross.

Both Gach, F Minnesota

The Utah transfer is far outproducing his previous numbers in his new home. He's averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals across four games, seeing 32.8 minutes. Those speak for themselves and will be of use regardless of format.

De'Vion Harmon, G, Oklahoma

Harmon hasn't started yet, and hopefully that has kept his roster percentage down some. He's seeing 28.5 minutes and has put up 17.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists through two games while hitting 4-of-9 3-pointers. The minutes are almost identical to last year, but the points are more than double, showing how much more the Sooners need him this season. A move to the starting lineup seems imminent, and yet irrelevant.

Eric Williams, F, Oregon

Williams hasn't struggled in his new home, where he's transferred up in competition. The former Duquesne big man is playing 34.5 minutes in Eugene, up from 30.8 a year ago, and I'm hopeful he was overlooked in drafts with the thought he'd struggle in the face of bigger challenges. He's not shooting particularly well, but he's getting to the charity stripe to help supplement his scoring, and his 14.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg are nearly identical to what he posted a year ago. Eugene Omoruyi for the Ducks also deserves a look for those in need of immediate guard help, but I'm not confident enough that his hot scoring start is sustainable to break him out individually...yet.

Quade Green, G, Washington

Here's to hoping a guard who averaged 10.9 points and 4.9 assists a year ago went undrafted, and we can pounce at this early stage of the season. Green's 2020 numbers are skewed by a stinker in his opener against Baylor, but he's been the Husky's offensive focal point since, taking 35 shots in his last two outings in route to 39 points, chipping in eight assists and 12 rebounds. With Nazhiah Carter leaving the program, Green's time to shine is now.

Justin Powell, G, Auburn

Powell was possibly worth a speculative add in SEC-heavy leagues prior to his insertion into the starting lineup, as he put up 10.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.0 apg in three games to open the year. But he moved into the Tigers starting five in his last outing and responded with 26 points, four boards and nine assists in 31 minutes. The assists likely are an aberration, but the rest may not be, giving Powell immediate appeal.

Connor Vanover, C, Arkansas

Vanover figures to be polarizing, and his appeal really depends on position eligibility and scoring. He should carry center eligibility, and his real fantasy attraction is the ability to block shots. His 7-foot-3 frame has led to 15 blocks in four games, three of which he's seen less than 20 minutes in. DFS players likely noted Vanover's meteoric price increase this week, and that's simply not fair -- he's not an offensive weapon unless it's against an undersized opponents. But he's center eligible, can carry you in blocks and should stumble into boards and a few points, giving him every day value.

Tier Two

Tramon Mark, G/F, Houston

Last week, we featured Marcus Sasser in this spot. Sasser not only didn't start Saturday against South Carolina, he didn't play at all. While no word has been given on his absence, if you're invested in this Cougars offense, its a situation to monitor. Mark moved into the starting five, piled up 35 minutes and a 24.9 percent usage rate in route to 15 points and four boards. Not huge numbers, but if Sasser is sidelined an extended period, there's obvious short term value.

Ty Etienne, G, Wichita State

The Shockers roster is severely depleted, which has created ample opportunity for Etienne, who's taken 30 shots in their first two games. It's obviously a program in turmoil, but fantasy managers care little about that. It's simply about production, which Etienne looks like he'll provide out of necessity. He's averaging 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists, and as long as you can live with low field-goal percentage, Etienne will be a volume producer.

James Bishop, G, George Washington

Bishop looks to have national appeal in the early going, let alone needing you to run and grab for Tier 2 leagues. An LSU transfer, he's posted at least 20 points in all three outings thus far, and seven assists in every outing, twice handing out nine dimes. This squad has a handful of transfers and ascending second-year players, and Bishop looks to be settling in as their alpha. 

Jordy Tshimanga, C, Dayton

Minutes are the leading story here. Tshimanga is playing 27.5 nightly, and the Flyers are rarely if at all dipping into their bench, using reserves for just 29 total minutes in their most recent outing. Tshimanga is averaging 9.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg with his new-found opportunity, and while the 1.0 blocks per game isn't superb, Tshimanga is a flirty double-double guy nightly that has center eligibility.

Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine

Edwards is a known commodity for Tier 2 players, and may already be owned given his propensity to connect from behind the arch. But he's taking on additional offensive onus, averaging 19.3 ppg in the early going after posting 10.0 and 13.8 in his first two seasons. He'll likely regress some when Colbey Ross works his way out of a shooting funk, but Edwards seems likely to post a career high in points, plus can contributes six-ish boards and reliable outside shooting, if that's relevant.