College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

Transfers coming into their own at new homes, and emerging sophomores highlight this week's top additions.

Power Conferences

Nysier Brooks, F, Miami

Brooks posted a double-double Saturday (13 points, 15 rebounds), while blocking two shots to boot. Freshman Matt Cross has an arm injury and has scored nine points in his last two after 21 in hits first two, and there appears be a change in rotation looming as a result.

Samuell Williamson, F, Louisville

Williamson is poised to return from a toe injury that cost him two games whenever the Cardinals next take the court, as there next scheduled game with North Carolina State has been postponed. When healthy, Williamson looked to be emerging in his second season, putting up 11.5 points, 4.5 boards and 3.0 assists in 27.5 minutes, certainly giving him value in ACC circles.

Armaan Franklin, G, Indiana

Franklin is another emerging sophomore listed here, and it's all about a minutes increase. He's seeing 29.0 mpg after just 13.8 last year, and it's resulted in 10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.2 spg. The rebounding number is great for a guard, but he's been inconsistent as a scorer on a game to game basis. Points are usually easy to come by elsewhere however, and Franklin isn't an albatross there.

Liam Robbins, F/C, Minnesota

Robbins has been inconsistent in the scoring column, being held to single-digits in two of the Gopher's first six games. But he put up 27 in his last outing, and looks to be becoming more assertive offensively, going to the foul line 22 times in his last two after just ten in his first four. That should lead to more steady point production, and the 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks were already serviceable, especially if you can garner center eligibility.

Miles McBride, G, West Virginia  

McBride's minutes are up nearly 10 per game from last year, and it's led to a big jump in production. He's posting 14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.6 apg and 1.7 spg in over 32 minutes nightly, knocking down 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers. The assist and steal numbers can carry lineups while not hurting in other categories.

P.J. Fuller, G, TCU

This may be more of a short-term add, or even just a check status type option, but in Big 12 only leagues, Fuller looks to be ascending. He didn't start following a one-game absence, but he still finished with 13 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal against Texas A&M in a season-high 31 minutes, his third game in a row in double-digit points. If those minutes maintain, Fuller will score and provide peripheral stats by default.

Caleb Daniels, G, Villanova

The Tulane transfer has seen a wide range of minutes, spiking at 41 against Virginia Tech and then falling to 18 in each of the Wildcats' next two outings. But he's started all of their games, and poured in 18 points in 25 minutes against Georgetown in the 'Nova's most recent outing. I expect the rotation will trim down as league play gets underway, and Daniels figures to be a leading cog.

Dylan Disu, F, Vanderbilt

We don't know a ton about the Commodores, who have played only twice due to testing and tracing, and they still have multiple pieces missing, so we could see lots of add/drops from this roster in the coming weeks. Disu looks like a constant however, starting both games and pulling down 24 rebounds. The scoring is inconsistent, and only three of those boards were of the offensive variety, so there may not be any stick backs to buoy that for the long term. But short term he's needed offensively with others out, making him a nightly double-double threat.

Tre Mann, G, Florida

I'm assuming Mann is universally owned in SEC formats, but he is ascending as a national fantasy option. The unfortunate episode with Keyontae Johnson sadly opens opportunities for production, and Mann piled up a huge 32.6 usage rate against FSU with Johnson sidelined. He's been in double-digits in all of the Gators games to date, and is averaging 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals. That plays in all lineups.

Gianni Hunt, G, Oregon State

Hunt sat out the Beavers first two games due to a concussion, and appears to have been brought along slowly in his return. But he managed four assists and two steals in just 14 minutes against Wyoming, and was inserted into the starting lineup against Portland in the team's next outing. Hunt responded with six assists and three steals in 31 minutes. Assuming he stays ahead in the backcourt rotation, you can find points elsewhere and enjoy facilitation and defense from Hunt.

Tier Two

DeAndre Williams, F, Memphis

Williams' waiver request to play immediately has been resubmitted and is expected to be granted within the next week. It may take him a bit to get up to speed, both from a conditioning and increased level of play stand point, but once acclimated, Williams should be a big boost to the Tigers' front court. He averaged 15.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.0 bpg at Evansville last season, and adding him now is a decent preemptive strike.

Tyler Burton, F, Richmond

The Spiders are a rare team where all five of their starters have value, as they all log 30+ minutes. Burton remains the team's most athletic, highest ceiling option, and the preseason injury to Nick Sherod has forced him to grow as a sophomore. He posted a big double-double Wednesday against Northern Iowa, and followed that up with another one Sunday against West Virginia. He's breaking out and just scratching the surface at the same time. 

Bowen Born, G, Northern Iowa

Born has started all five games of his career thus far, and he's been a volume shooter, taking at least nine shots in every game. That's risen to 30 total over the last two with star A.J. Green sidelined. Green has now undergone hip surgery and will miss the remainder of the year. Born certainly won't replace the reigning conference player of the year, but his opportunities aren't going to disappear. Tier Two managers should take a long look at the Panthers lineup for help, as Born isn't the only viable add with Green confirmed out.