Will Austin Rivers struggle in College?

Espn.com blogger Eamonn Brennan recently attended the Nike skills camp in Chicago and he thinks Austin Rivers might have problems in college.  Rivers, who is attending Duke, and Anthony Davis, who is attending Kentucky are widely considered the two best incoming freshmen for this college basketball season.  Rivers is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.  This is what Brennan had to say.

Duke guard Austin Rivers, meanwhile, did not do as much to impress. The son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers is obviously talented, and he might already be the quickest player in the country with the ball in his hands. But he didn’t have much success breaking down defenders and creating his own shot, his main calling-card as a player to date. Of course, Rivers didn’t have much opportunity; the only time he faced actual defenders Sunday was during those structured five-on-five scrimmages. Still, it will be interesting to see if Rivers suffers some early struggles adjusting to the strength and speed of the college game.

I agree with Brennan; I think Rivers will struggle.  I watched a couple of high school all star games including the McDonald’s game, and Rivers did nothing really to me to stick out.  There where 5 or 6 prospects that I would have taken over Rivers.  To me Rivers was a gunner who missed a lot of shots, and wasn’t very quick. Don’t get me wrong Rivers is an elite prospect, but he comes with his flaws.

It’s not Rivers fault, that he was rated the top player by some recruiting services.  You know Rivers ranking has to do a lot with his last name and who his dad is.  Rivers also is his worst critic, early in June he announced that he would wear the number 0 at Duke, and he gave himself the nickname of subzero.  I mean who gives themselves their own nickname?  He hasn’t even played a college game yet.

Rivers will receive lots of hype before the season’ will be able to handle it?  Last season North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes couldn’t handle the heat right away, and then he turned it on at the end of the season. Only time will tell.

Tags: Austin Rivers, Duke, Harrison Barnes