Kansas Basketball: Reasons to be thankful in 2018

The Jayhawks have true upperclassmen leadership on this team, but if they want cut down the nets they will have to rely on some freshmen as well.

It’s pretty obvious just from checking the stat sheet that freshman guard Quentin Grimes and has been important to KU’s strong start. Grimes, a 6-foot-5 point guard out of Texas, leads the team in assists per game (5.7) and is averaging 12.3 points while shooting 56.3 percent from downtown.

But more than the numbers is his poise. Filling the shoes of Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham is no easy task, bit Grimes has looked every bit the part so far. Teammate Dedric Lawson had high praise after the rookie’s first career game where he scored a game-high 21 points and dished out four assists, per the Associated Press.

"“He (Grimes) came out with a free mind and played his game,” Lawson said. “He was the best player on our team tonight.”"

Grimes, a five-star recruit and No. 10 overall in 247Sports’ Class of 2018 rankings, could be the X-factor this season. As the main ball-handler, he’s is going to have to play above his years for this team to be successful.

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He won’t be the only newcomer making an impact however.

Number two guard Devon Dotson has impressed so far as well. The No. 21 overall recruit is averaging 9.0 points and 3.7 rebounds, but has looked more like a freshman than Grimes, with six turnovers in three games.

We’ve barely seen David McCormack, a four-star, 6-foot-9, 255-pound big out of Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. That’s mainly because the Jayhawks are loaded in the front court with Azubuike, Mitch Lightfoot and Lawson. He did score two points and grab six rebounds in just ten minutes in a win against Louisiana last week, and if he matures quickly and becomes a force off the bench, this team will compete with anyone.

So once again KU fans, rejoice and be thankful for a group of freshmen so talented that a fourth one, Ochai Agbaji of Kansas City, Missouri, is redshirting this year despite sporting a four-star rating and receiving high praise from Self.

It really is an embarrassment of riches.