Through the Phog
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NBA Jayhawks: Passiveness hindering potential stardom for Wiggins

By Keaton Henry

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves spins to the basket against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rockets defeated the Timberwolves 119-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves spins to the basket against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rockets defeated the Timberwolves 119-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The potential of former Kansas basketball player Andrew Wiggins has been under the spot light since high school, but the current Minnesota Timberwolves forward has struggled to develop since leaving the school.

"“What if Wiggins is just, like, not good? I was a cautious Wiggins optimist when analytics folks buried him as a teenaged rookie, but he has shown zero meaningful improvement over four seasons. If anything, he has gotten worse.” – ESPN NBA analyst Zach Lowe"

After going from high school phenom, to number-one collegiate recruit, to number-one overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft, Wiggins has long-held the prediction of the best prospect since Lebron James or even Kobe Bryant, but the hype has fallen flat.

Wiggins came to Kansas along with Wayne Selden, Joel Embiid, and Frank Mason in the 2013 recruiting class and was pegged as the sure-fire weapon for the Jayhawks offense. However, Wiggins’ timid nature began to show in Bill Self’s offense and the forward largely under-performed.

His only college campaign ended with a 17.1 points per game average and a 44% field goal percentage. To most, these stats will appear half decent, but the scoring numbers were misleading with five contests under 10 points having been overshadowed by 30 and 41 point outings to conclude the 2013 season.

Inconsistent and erratic at times, Wiggins would prove to be, at best, the third best Kansas player of his class. Embiid landed accolades in player efficiency and blocks, while Mason would go on to be, arguably, the best Jayhawk in the Self-era.

While he achieved limited accomplishments at Kansas, NBA scouts saw a very raw potential that could still be developed into a star player.

Through four seasons in Minnesota, Wiggins has averaged 19.7 PPG on 45% shooting, and some may see that as progress. However, in a league largely driven by the attention of the Lebron’s and Russell Westbrook’s of the world, Wiggins’ growth, even at 23 years old, was expected to have jettisoned by this point.

While being a long (6’8″) and freakish athlete, Wiggins has always performed well defensively against most wing players, but his offense has seemed to stay stagnant since leaving Kansas four years ago.

If Wiggins is destined for stardom in the NBA, he will need to progress more in the effort department and take it upon himself to be a true two-way player.

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