Note #010: Alex Wilkins (Rare Freshman Usage)
Former Furman guard Alex Wilkins has entered the transfer portal, committing to Kentucky for 2026-27 season.
As a freshman in 2025-26, Wilkins averaged 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, and 2.0 RPG to help lead the Paladins to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Only two other NCAA Division I freshmen averaged at least 17.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, and 2.0 RPG in 2025-26:
1. Darius Acuff, Jr. - 23.5 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.1 RPG
2. Mikel Brown, Jr. - 18.2 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.3 RPG
🏀
Let's go a bit deeper: in that same 2025-26 season, Wilkins shot 46.0% from the floor (220/478).
Below are the other NCAA Division I men's players besides Wilkins and the aforementioned Acuff (48.4 FG%, 288/595 FGA!), since 1953-54, that averaged at least 17.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2 RPG while shooting 45% or greater from the field in their freshman season:
340-400 FGA
1. Tony Bennett (1988-89) - 19.1 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.0 RPG, 52.2 FG% (179/343)
2. Ben Simmons (2015-16) - 19.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 11.8 RPG, 56.0 FG% (216/386)
400-450 FGA
3. Johnny Dawkins (1982-83) - 18.1 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.1 RPG, 50.0 FG% (207/414)
4. Dennis Smith Jr. (2016-17) - 18.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 45.5 FG% (191/420)
5. Markelle Fultz (2016-17) - 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 47.6 FG% (209/439)
450-500 FGA
6. Danny Ainge (1977-78) - 21.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.8 RPG, 51.4 FG% (243/473)
7. Jahii Carson (2012-13) - 18.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.7 RPG, 47.3 FG% (231/488)
500+ FGA
8. Stephon Marbury (1995-96) - 18.9 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.1 RPG, 45.7 FG% (235/514)
9. Kenny Anderson (1989-90) - 20.6 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.5 RPG, 51.5 FG% (283/549)
*Fultz, Ainge, and Anderson also pop up in Note #008 on Acaden Lewis and his two-way impact at Villanova in 2025-26. A few of those names, plus Acuff and Marbury, also get a shoutout in Note #003 on Keaton Wagler's monster 2025-26 freshman season at Illinois.
Below are the other NCAA Division I men's players besides Wilkins and the aforementioned Acuff (48.4 FG%, 288/595 FGA!), since 1953-54, that averaged at least 17.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2 RPG while shooting 45% or greater from the field in their freshman season:
340-400 FGA
1. Tony Bennett (1988-89) - 19.1 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.0 RPG, 52.2 FG% (179/343)
2. Ben Simmons (2015-16) - 19.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 11.8 RPG, 56.0 FG% (216/386)
400-450 FGA
3. Johnny Dawkins (1982-83) - 18.1 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.1 RPG, 50.0 FG% (207/414)
4. Dennis Smith Jr. (2016-17) - 18.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 45.5 FG% (191/420)
5. Markelle Fultz (2016-17) - 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 47.6 FG% (209/439)
450-500 FGA
6. Danny Ainge (1977-78) - 21.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.8 RPG, 51.4 FG% (243/473)
7. Jahii Carson (2012-13) - 18.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.7 RPG, 47.3 FG% (231/488)
500+ FGA
8. Stephon Marbury (1995-96) - 18.9 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.1 RPG, 45.7 FG% (235/514)
9. Kenny Anderson (1989-90) - 20.6 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.5 RPG, 51.5 FG% (283/549)
*Fultz, Ainge, and Anderson also pop up in Note #008 on Acaden Lewis and his two-way impact at Villanova in 2025-26. A few of those names, plus Acuff and Marbury, also get a shoutout in Note #003 on Keaton Wagler's monster 2025-26 freshman season at Illinois.
Statistics via Sports Reference
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