Welcome to A10 Talk’s Preseason Top 25 Player Countdown for the 2017-18 season. Each day, we’ll be publishing a new article, counting down our best 25 players for the coming season. Today, we feature #19 Lamarr Kimble of Saint Joseph’s.
Our Top 25 Player Countdown is a compiled list based on voting from our staff and writers from across the league. Thanks to the following for helping configure this year’s Top 25 Atlantic 10 Player Countdown:
Grant Labedz (@GrantLabedz), Mat Shelton-Eide (@MatSheltonEide), Grant Kelly (GrantKelly07), Andrew Phung (@LoveRI401), By George (@ByGeorgeGMU), Davidson Recruiting (@DavidsonMBBRecr), Steve DiMiceli (@SteveDiMiceli), Rhody Rampage (@RhodyRampage), UMass Recruiting (@UMassRecruiting), Bona Blog (@BonaBlog), Petey Buckets (@PeteyBuckets), and UMass Ball Report (@theumbr).
What He’s Done
Despite suffering a season-ending injury late in conference play, Lamarr Kimble proved to be one of Saint Joseph’s most efficient players as a sophomore. With Shavar Newkirk’s early injury, the sophomore was called upon to do much more than originally expected; averaging more than 37 minutes per game, it was no secret that a healthy Kimble was the focal point of this offense. Averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, Kimble was one of Saint Joseph’s most effective players all over the floor, and he should be even better in 2017-18.
When completely healthy, Kimble will help make up one of the best backcourts in the Atlantic 10. Combined with senior Shavar Newkirk, the Hawks have a talented duo of guards capable of bringing this team back to the NCAA Tournament for the 3rd time in 5 years. Kimble had the 9th best assist rate and the 6th best fouls committed per 40 minutes rate in the conference last season. Despite his season-ending injury, he was extremely efficient at setting his teammates up with looks and playing impressive defensive without fouling.
What He’ll Do
Lamarr Kimble will be the Robin to Shavar Newark’s Batman, more than likely, but he’ll still serve as one of the more dynamic guards in the league. Before his injury, Kimble had 24 and 25 point performances against Fordham and Dayton including 10 assists against the Flyers. Bottom line: he was literally doing everything for this injury-ridden Hawks team before he, himself, suffered an injury that would set Saint Joe’s back even further.
Murphy’s Law was in full affect for the Hawks last season, but this season represents a completely different scenario. A healthy backcourt in Newkirk and Kimble along with a rising star in Charlie Brown makes Saint Joseph’s a candidate to make the NCAA Tournament once more. As the Hawks’ best returning distributor, I’d expect Kimble to do an incredible job spacing the floor and getting open looks for his teammates. Without countless injuries, he’ll no longer have to do everything; he can be a role player and serve as more of a set-up guy under Phil Martelli. Guys like James Demery and Markell Lodge have a chance to take off this year, and Kimble’s passing will play an enormous role in their developments, as well as others.
Previously: #20 De’Riante Jenkins
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