Top Ten British Basketball Players in NCAA Division 1 College Basketball

This is a guest post by Carl Berman who is a Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. Information on NetScouts Basketball and their award-winning basketball blog can be found at www.netscoutsbasketball.com. If you are interested in guest posting on Hoopsfix, read Write for Hoopsfix.

When people think about International Basketball, England is not the first country that comes to mind. Popularity of basketball in England is not very high, conditions for playing are not the best and the competition in schools is not very good. However, recently interest has picked up.  The professional British Basketball League has improved their level of play in attracting players such as Mike Cook (Pittsburgh), basketball academies, such as the Barking Academy, are getting stronger and the country has even recently hosted the Euroleague Junior Basketball Tournament. The increased popularity of the sport has resulted in many more players from England being recruited to play college basketball in the United States.

By our latest count there are 34 British players on NCAA Division 1 rosters. In this article we will feature NetScouts Basketball’s Top 10 British NCAA Division 1 basketball players. NetScouts Basketball is the largest collegiate scouting service in the United States and we have seen all these players in action.

1. Eric Boateng (Arizona State) 6’10/257 Sr., C

Boateng has improved his game considerably over the past two year since transferring from Duke. He is very strong in the blocks, a good rebounder and is tough to defend when he gets the ball low. He is averaging 8.6 points and 7.0 rebounds and has come on strong late in the season. He recently scored 24 vs. Stanford and had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds in his last game against UCLA.

2. Matthew Bryan-Amaning (Washington) 6’9/240 Jr., C

Bryan-Amaning is a similar player to Boateng. He is very strong physically and is tough to defend when he get the ball low in the blocks. Like Boateng ,he needs to develop more of a game facing the basket. Bryan-Amaning has also come on strong late in the season, scoring in double-figures in seven of his last eight games and snaring at least 10 rebounds in his last three games (at the time of writing-Ed).

3. Justin Robinson (Rider) 6’2, Jr., G

Robinson is a solid combo-guard who played over 30 minutes a game this season and averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.  A solid three-point shooter he hit 44.8% from beyond the arc on 143 attempts. Robinson scored a season-high 27 points recently against Canisius.

4. Liam Potter (Sacred Heart), 7’0/230, Sr., C

Potter has developed in his years at Sacred Heart and was helped by sitting out last season and getting stronger.  He played over 27 minutes a game this year and scored 9.5 ppg to go along with 8.3 rpg and two blocks. He’s become a solid rebounder within his area and his durability has really improved.

5. Shane Walker (Loyola, MD), 6’10/211, Soph., F

Walker has the most upside of the British players. A transfer from Maryland, Walker added strength as a result of his redshirt year. He averaged 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds but has been coming on strong late in the season. He had a career day in his last game against Manhattan scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Walker can step out for the three-pointer and shot them at a 38.5 clip on 52 attempts.

6. Ashley Hamilton (Loyola Marymount) 6’7, Fr., F

Hamilton is another player with loads of potential. In his first season he scored at an 8.6 clip while gathering 4.6 rebounds. He has the ability to play inside and out. He scored 23 points recently against Pepperdine and averaged 15.7 points in his last three games.

7. Ogo Adegboye (St. Bonaventure), 6’0, Jr., PG

Adegboye has been a valuable reserve for the Bonnies at the point as he averaged 6.4 points and 2.4 assists in about 22 minutes of action. A quick pass-first point he should see more action in his senior year.

8. Ben Allison (Davidson) 6’9/220, Soph., F

Allison has been a valuable reserve for the Wildcats and scored 6 ppg to go along with 4.4 rebounds. He scored in double-figures eight times and should see himself in the starting lineup next season.

9. Will Ohuaregbe (NC-Wilmington), 6’8/255, Fr., F

Ohuaregbe averaged over 17 minutes in his frosh season and pulled down 4.8 rebounds per game to go along with 4 points. Strong in the block, he needs to develop more offensive skill.

10. Fahro Alihodzic (Fordham) 6’10, Fr., C

Alihodzic is another strong center with potential who also need to develop more of an offensive game. Primarily a defender and rebounder at this point of his career, he averaged more that 4 points and 4 rebounds in about 22 minutes of action.

What about you?

Do you agree or disagree with my top players? Who would be in your Top Ten? Let me know in the comments below.