Devin Ebanks' Fall From the Top of the Big East
Coming into the season, Wet Virginia was the nation's preseason #8 team and they were led by the Big East's second best player, Devin Ebanks. Or they were supposed to be led by him at least. He was selected to the Big East All-Rookie team last year and overshadowed All-Big East Second Team teammate, Da'Sean Butler, but then Ebanks shined in the Big East Tournament. He established career-highs in scoring (20 and then 22 points) and rebounding (18) and in the process, he became one of the most watched players coming into this season.
The 6'9" Ebanks has yet to build upon on last season's success. He has shown flashes, as in his back-to-back double-doubles against Ole' Miss (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Seton Hall (22 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists), but Ebanks has spent most of his sophomore campaign flirting with mediocrity. He has one 20+ point game, and five other games of 8 or less points, including one game when he was benched by Coach Bob Huggins for lackluster play and poor effort.
NBA scouts are drooling over Ebanks' size (6'9", 215-pounds) and athleticism, but they are anxiously waiting for him to realize his potential and put it all together. He is struggling shooting the ball, especially from 3-point range where he is hitting just 12.5% of his shots. His scoring and rebounding numbers are just above last season's marks.
Will Devin Ebanks put it all together or will scouts be waiting forever?
By Corey Ruff - President - 1-23-10
