Player of the Week
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
As the season progresses, Wilson continues to get better, which is a frightening trend for opponents. The freshman delivered another dominant performance in North Carolina’s win over Florida State, finishing with 22 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. After just a few games, it was clear Wilson was the real deal, but the lingering question was whether he could lead a powerhouse like North Carolina. The answer is yes. In his ACC debut, Wilson showcased his athleticism and size, finishing through contact repeatedly and punctuating the night with a poster dunk. He moves as well as any big man in the country and pairs seamlessly with Henri Veesaar in the frontcourt. Wilson is averaging 19.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, and his defensive impact matches his offensive production. If this level of play continues, his NBA stock will only rise.
Who’s Hot
Ben Hammond, Virginia Tech
The difference between Virginia Tech’s biggest wins and losses has hinged on a name many fans are just starting to learn. Hammond, an undersized 5’11” guard, makes up for his size with toughness, creativity, and the ability to score in tight spaces. That was on full display in the Hokies’ triple-overtime win over Virginia, where Hammond posted 30 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His ability to attack the rim has been consistent, as he’s converting around 52 percent at the basket, and he has also proven reliable at the free-throw line in clutch moments. Hammond went 16-of-18 at the stripe against Virginia and is shooting 85 percent on the season. If he can stay disciplined defensively and out of foul trouble, this stretch of high-level play should continue.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville silenced doubters on Friday with a decisive 90–70 win over California, a game that was never truly in doubt. The Cardinals improved to 11–2 with several Power 4 wins and continue to look like a tough out for anyone in the country. Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. was sidelined, leaving senior Ryan Conwell as the primary backcourt option, and he responded with 26 points. Sophomore guard Adrian Wooley nearly matched him with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. While the defense showed some cracks, Louisville controlled the defensive glass and set a physical tone early. If this performance is an indication of what the Cardinals can be without Brown Jr., they remain a legitimate ACC threat.
Who’s Not
Stanford Cardinal
Stanford entered conference play riding momentum after wins over Colorado and Cal State Northridge, but that progress stalled abruptly in a 40-point offensive showing against Notre Dame. Ebuka Okorie finished with seven points on 3-of-14 shooting, while Chisom Okpara added 13 points on the same shooting line with three turnovers. Okorie is young and has flashed star potential, but prolonged shooting slumps could make conference play difficult for the Cardinal. As a team, Stanford struggled from deep, going 4-of-30, a recurring issue this season. If the offense can stabilize and Okorie can regain his rhythm, Stanford has the pieces to string together wins.
Nate Calmese, Wake Forest
Calmese has dominated mid-major competition, but struggles have followed when Wake Forest has faced stronger opponents. Against NC State, he went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting with three turnovers. In a prior loss to Vanderbilt, he scored four points with two turnovers. Wake Forest lacks consistent scoring, and Calmese is one of the few capable of providing it. He’s averaging 8.0 points on 42.9 percent shooting with 1.5 steals per game, but ball security remains an issue, as he’s averaging 1.6 turnovers. Calmese has shown he can score; rediscovering that rhythm is critical.
Top 5 Underrated Players
1. Juke Harris, Wake Forest
Harris is enjoying a breakout season and has been one of Wake Forest’s brightest spots, yet remains largely overlooked nationally. He’s averaging 19.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. At 6’7”, 200 pounds, Harris owns an NBA-caliber frame and knows how to use it. If his shooting continues to improve, Wake Forest could steal a few ACC wins, and Harris may quickly become a name to watch.
2. Kowacie Reeves, Georgia Tech
Now in his fifth collegiate season, Reeves has emerged as the steady leader for Georgia Tech. He’s averaging 16.0 points per game and turned heads after a 23-point performance against Duke. Reeves isn’t flashy, but he scores efficiently and provides consistent leadership. Georgia Tech has let several close games slip away, but if the Yellow Jackets start converting those opportunities, Reeves’ name will surface more frequently.
3. Christian Gurdak, Virginia
Gurdak started the season quietly, but over the past three games, he has climbed rapidly up scouting reports. He recorded 17 points and 19 rebounds against Virginia, followed by 17 points and six rebounds against Elon, all as a true freshman. While his season averages sit at 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, his impact has grown significantly with an expanded role. Teams will need to prioritize boxing him out moving forward.
4. Justin Pippin, California
Once a highly rated recruit at Michigan, Pippin never carved out a consistent role with the Wolverines. He appears to have found a home at California, where he has become one of the Golden Bears’ most important pieces. Pippin averages 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while also contributing defensively with 1.0 blocks and 1.7 steals. He consistently makes winning plays on both ends of the floor.
5. Naithan George, Georgia Tech
George struggled early in the season but has quietly found his footing of late. He posted back-to-back 20-point performances before a 10-point outing against Clemson. George is capable of scoring at all three levels, making him difficult to game-plan against. If his recent surge continues, he could quickly become one of the ACC’s most discussed breakout guards in the coming weeks.