“Who are expected to be the top performers for AAC Basketball this season? Here are some early predictions before things get started.”
Most Improved Player: Dejon Jarreau
There are big expectations down in Houston that this kid is going to be special, after coming off the bench last year behind Armoni Brooks and Corey Davis Jr. Dejon Jarreau is set up to have a huge year for the Cougars. Many are writing Houston off due to the loss of their top two scorers but Kelvin Sampson will have a squad that’s ready. The UMass transfer joined Houston as a sophomore where he was the AAC Sixth Man of the Year last season. As a regular starter, Jarreau has a lot of potential and a strong contender to be the most improved player this season.
All-Freshman Team
Caleb Mills (Houston)
“Also featuring on the All-Freshman Team is Houston point guard Caleb Mills, Mills joined the Cougars program last season but would redshirt. Mills was still able to practice with Houston last year and learn from Armoni Brooks and Corey Davis, Mills had a good summer tour with Houston and looks primed to play a role for Kelvin Sampson’s team.”
All-Conference Third Team
Nate Hinton (Houston)
“The Houston guard Nate Hinton is primed for a big year for a program that graduated both of their guards.”
All-Conference Second Team
Dejon Jarreau (Houston)
“DeJon Jarreau also makes his second appearance in the article as he was our Most Improved Player.”
" 8. Nate Hinton
Nate Hinton will be next on the list, the extremely talented guard came off the bench last year behind Brooks and Davis. With those two gone Hinton is in line to see an increase in workload. Off the back of an extremely successful freshman campaign, Hinton featured in all 37 of the Cougars games averaging seven points, four rebounds, and one assist per game, good enough to earn him a spot on the All-Freshman team. Hinton went with Houston on their summer tour to Italy this summer but has yet to feature in any games for the Cougars so far due to a reported illness. Regardless, Houston will have great depth in their backcourt this season and Hinton should play a big role for Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars,"
6. Dejon Jarreau
“Two Houston Cougars in three spots for these rankings, Dejon Jarreau is legit. The AAC 6th Man of the Year last season will be a breakout contender and another big piece of that very talented, and a deep backcourt that I mentioned earlier. Jarreau was obviously poised to see more minutes with both starting guards leaving at the end of last year but this kid has been lighting it up on the Houston summer tour in Italy. Jarreau has watched two great guards, and it’s his turn to shine. Cougars fans should be excited about this kids talent, the fact that he could be in Houston for two more years should have them even more excited.”