Javian McCollum – the Oklahoma guard labelled the next Allen Iverson
The Oklahoma Sooners have had their best start in college basketball for eight years, going on a 10-0 run to start the season before losing to North Carolina last time.
The guard at the forefront of Oklahoma's success in the Big 12 Conference is Javian McCollum, who has averaged 14 points and four assists on 41% shooting from the field.
The 6ft2 guard has only failed to score less than ten points on two occasions this season and scored 15 or points in six different games.
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One of McCollum's better games of the season came against Providence Friars at the start of December, scoring 19 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
With every slick crossover, step-back jumper, and driving floater in a land of giants on that night, Providence coach Kim English could see flashes of an NBA legend.
According to 247sports.com, English said: "He looks like Allen Iverson out there." That's praise of the highest order and is fitting because Iverson dominated the same division McCollum is in now, with Georgetown in the 90s.
If McCollum were to follow in Iverson's footsteps, he would have a Hall of Fame career, going on to win NBA MVP, multiple scoring titles, and be selected first overall like Iverson in 1996.
The 11-time NBA All-Star and 2001 MVP peaked in the early 2000s, a period before McCollum was born. However, McCollum is familiar with Iverson's Hall of Fame career.
According to Sooners Illustrated, McCollum said, "I've seen some Allen Iverson. I appreciate (English) for saying that. Allen Iverson's cold, so that's big coming from him."
McCollum has led the Sooners in scoring, but he has to come a long way this season before it can become a success. He also has a marathon ahead if he wants to be as good as Allen Iverson.