After averaging 17.8 points per game during a standout freshman season at Baylor, Tounde Yessoufou entered the transfer portal as one of the biggest names available before ultimately landing at St. John’s. Rafael and James discuss what to expect from Yessoufou as a sophomore, what he still needs to improve and whether another year of college basketball can elevate his NBA Draft stock.
Tounde Yessoufou entered college with plenty of expectations as a McDonald’s All-American, and it didn't take long for him to establish himself as one of the country's most productive freshmen. Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points per game at Baylor and set the program's freshman single-season scoring record, showing the physicality, athleticism and scoring ability that had made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school.
But instead of making the jump to the NBA, Yessoufou is returning to college and beginning a new chapter at St. John’s. After becoming one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal, he'll now have an opportunity to build on an already productive freshman season while showing scouts that there are additional layers to his game.
That's what makes his sophomore season particularly interesting from an NBA Draft perspective. We already know Yessoufou can score and physically compete at the college level. So what does he need to show now? Can he become a more consistent shooter? Can he improve as a decision-maker and creator? Can he impact games when the ball isn't in his hands? And can he turn another year of college basketball into a significant jump in his NBA Draft stock?
In this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Live, Rafael and James break down Yessoufou's freshman season at Baylor, his scouting profile, his move to St. John’s and what they want to see from him as a sophomore. They also discuss one of the bigger questions surrounding returning prospects: When you've already been one of the most productive young players in college basketball, how much can coming back to school actually change the way NBA teams evaluate you?
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