College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

Power Conferences

Naz Bohannon, F, Clemson

Clemson lost Hunter Tyson for an indefinite period of time after suffering a broken clavicle, and it's Bohannon who has been called upon to fill the void. He's seen 30 minutes in each of the Tigers last two games, putting up a combined 20 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. He's not likely to be a league winner, but the Youngstown State transfer did average 16.5 points and 8.2 boards at his former home, so he could occasionally flash.

El Ellis, G, Louisville

We'll keep trying with Louisville, as eventually we'll get some consistency. Ellis isn't starting, and truthfully, he isn't doing much more than volume score. But at this stage in the season, we'll happily target that. He's hoisted an impressive 48 shots in the Cards' last three games, 23 from long range. That seems to set him up for a safe nightly floor.

Luke Loewe, G, Minnesota

Loewe may be finally finding his comfort level in the Big 10? The William & Mary transfer has started all 20 games for the Gophers, but has been minimally productive for most of the year. But in his last five starts, he's averaged a decent 12.8 points while hitting 47.6 percent from 3-point range, twice putting up 19 points. His four rebounds, two assists and two steals over the weekend at Iowa are further encouraging signs of newfound comfort, as Loewe rarely contributes in peripheral categories.

Bryce Thompson, G, Oklahoma State

The light could finally be coming on for Thompson, a former top recruit that hasn't flashed much of that form in his first season-plus as a Big 12 guard. I'm willing to overlook his meager six points against Oklahoma, as he played only 17 minutes due to foul trouble. He was coming off of a 22-point outing against Kansas State, his second 20+ point showing in four games. Since January 13, Thompson is averaging 13.9 points, up from his 10.3 ppg season total. He's not doing so currently, but at 6-foot-5, he's big enough to be a capable rebounder. He can help in scoring and 3-point columns down the stretch, and remains a nice dynasty hold for next season.

Caleb Daniels, G, Villanova

Daniels is, at best, a one-week streamer, as we await word on Justin Moore's availability due to an ankle injury. But if Moore remains out, Daniels remains in the starting lineup. He got 35 minutes against UConn over the weekend, and has now scored 15+ points in three straight. He somehow hasn't managed to corral one rebound in either of the Wildcats' last two outings, but can offset that some by getting into the steals column. 

Javan Johnson, F, DePaul

I was all set to feature Johnson here, and deploy him in DFS settings, Saturday as he was coming off of a two-game heater. And then he sat Saturday due to a hand injury. I'll keep him in this column given current form, and the need for some front court options, but he's obviously a risk if he's unable to play this week. DePaul has one of the more volatile rotations, but Johnson had put up 34 points, nine rebounds and four blocks over his last two games, his first two starts of the year. That'd be very appealing where available. And if available.

Glenn Taylor Jr., F, Oregon State

The Beavers are 3-17 and 1-9 in conference, so they gain little by not seeing what they have in Taylor, a freshman who has shown flashes previously this year. That message was finally received over the weekend when Taylor made his first career start, and responded with 15 points, four boards, a steal, block and assist. It's entirely possible he reverts back to a reserve role when Dashawn Davis returns to action, but with fellow bottom feeder Cal on the schedule this week, losers of 10 straight, I'll take a stab with Taylor as a streamer this week at worst, and a  dynasty stash at best.

Lars Thiemann, C, California

Two Cal Bear references in one column? Yes, we're getting to that point of the season! Forward Andre Kelly (13.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg) is out for the year, and over the last three games, Thiemann has seen 30+ minutes twice. He's not a huge producer, averaging just 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over that stretch, but he can be a valuable depth piece with center eligibility given his newfound role.

Tye Fagan, G, Ole Miss

It was Austin Crowley who moved into the starting lineup in place of the injured Daeshun Ruffin, who is now out for the season due to a knee injury, but it appears to be Fagan who is receiving the additional offensive onus. He saw 33 minutes over the weekend against Florida, just the third time he's seen 30+, and responded with 15 points, five boards, two steals and three made 3-pointers. Fagan also turned the ball over nine times, which while obviously not ideal, it shows he's got quite a leash. 

Tolu Smith, F/C, Mississippi State

He's back! Smith is a resident in this column given his oft-injured season. He suited up over the weekend for the first time in four games, fourth time in seven, fifth in 14 and ninth in 22 overall on the season. Who knows how long this most recent return will last, but Smith has been productive enough when healthy we have to take note. He finished with 11 points, six boards and three assists in 27 minutes. 

Tier 2

Jalen Duren, F/C, Memphis

With as many games as Memphis' rotation has missed, this column likely could have featured a Tiger on a weekly basis. Duren was one of many injured Tigers to return over the weekend, him from a two-game absence, and he immediately paid dividends, posting his first double-double since November 19. In his last three starts, he's provided a consistent line, always scoring in double-digits while grabbing at least nine boards, averaging 13.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 1.7 bpg; the scoring and rebounding slightly above his season-long totals. 

Cameron Henry, G, Indiana State

Truth be told, in leagues that include Indiana State, Henry is likely a known commodity, rostered and started. So perhaps I'm using this space simply to give him some ink. But he did miss a game on January 18, his third absence in five games at that time for the Sycamores, so maybe someone grew impatient, which could be exasperated by the 14 minutes he was limited to on February 2. But, those concerns can be tossed aside after Henry saw an incredible 50 minutes against Valpo, finishing with 28 points, eight assists, six rebounds, a steal and a block, with a whopping 31.8 percent usage rate. Averaging 13.6 shots in five games since returning, Henry is a nightly force.

Desmond Cambridge, G, Nevada

Cambridge is a puzzling one to gauge availability. He averages a usable 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds, so he at least has to be on managers' radars previously. But he also went through a three-game stretch in late January where he put up only 7.3 points and 4.7 boards, which likely dampened appeal. Until now, as Cambridge is again surging, putting up 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds 2.0 blocks and 2.4 steals in the Wolfpack's last five outings, including his first double-double of the season.