Nerlens Noel - The Next NCAA Basketball Phenom - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

As sports fanatics we are always watching the current college all-stars but why not take a look at the FUTURE college all-stars, in particular those playing the game of basketball. What can make someone an all-star though? One might say the way players can shoot the rock from behind the arc consistently, or the way a player can always step up in clutch situations and make the miraculous shot to win the game, or even possibly the way they can run the offense from start to finish. Offense, offense, offense. Let's not forget what sells tickets, and what wins championships.

That's right - defense wins championships.

It's one aspect of the game about which you rarely hear. So often we only see the game from the final score. Yet it is one aspect of the game that can be the most thrilling and exciting part to watch. A steal on the perimeter that leads to a bucket in transition, or a block in the paint that leads to a dunk.  

Nerlens Noel is the next college basketball player who I predict will change the foundation of the game, and will create match-up issues for every opponent he faces.

Nerlens Noel stands at 6'10 and is the top ranked player in this year's ESPNU 100. Noel has high expectations and standards are already set for him. He is considered  the game's best shot blocker. He has one of the best visions of a post player anyone has yet to see so early in an anticipated bright college career. From a players perspective, he would be a guard's worst nightmare if they excel at the drive, and a post player's frustration if they are more of a finesse player. Noel is a player who will get fans on their feet, and place his opponents in the film room for hours looking for ways to defend him and score against him. Rarely do you see a player impact the game with his defensive prowess on one end of the court and then be a presence inside on the offensive end, without a miraculous point total. A player like that, in my eyes, may not being in the college game for too long. As a college coach, Nerlens Noel would be my priority as I make sure I sell my University in the best way possible.

Oh, and for those of you were upset with the NCAA National Championship ending the way it did and had high hopes that those all-stars from Kentucky would not be contending again next year....hold that thought. Kentucky is on Noel's list as one of the perfect college fits for his college basketball career. To think that only Anthony Davis could swat the rock, think again!!!! Can you say National Champs Kentucky Wildcats, again??