The expectations heading into this season for the Oklahoma Sooners may have not been the clearest, and certainly not to the extent which they're seeing themselves compete currently.
With eight players departing following last season's 15-17 sluggish season, Porter Moser and his staff understood the importance of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Having not made the NCAA Tournament since his arrival in April 2021, supplanting the legendary Lon Kruger was a tall task.
Moser would into the transfer portal his first year on campus, but never truly cultivated a team of combined athleticism, length and overall talent as he has this season.
He would add four new transfers ahead of the Sooners' 2023-24 campaign, one of which included a fiery, shifty guard in Javian McCollum.
Now, Moser and co. sit at No. 11 in the country led by McCollum's efforts and a highly talented surrounding core, remaining undefeated at 9-0 with victories over the likes of No. 23 Southern California, Iowa and Arkansas just over a month into the season.
Here, we'll take a brief look at McCollum's impact this season and how it affects his potential draft landing in the next year.
Javian McCollum (Oklahoma | Guard)
Stock: Rising
Season Stats: 14.9 PPG | 3.2 APG | 2.9 RPG | 46.7% FG | 35.8% 3PT | 94.4% FT
A transfer out of mid-major Siena, McCollum was regarded as one of the most highly touted transfers in the NCAA when he made his trek to Norman as a junior.
Spending his first two college seasons with the Saints, McCollum thrived as a self creator in his sophomore year, garnering just under 16 points per game on 43% shooting in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
His baskets were clearly translatable, as the transition to the Big 12 has appeared seamless for the 6-foot-2, slight-framed guard.
Very light on his feet, his proficiency as a crafty ball handler, balance as a shooter off the dribble and in motion is continuing to build on itself against a much higher caliber of competition this season, and the supporting talent around him has only accentuated his ability to improve on his personal shot creation.
His confidence has also been exuberant, as the 21-year old's biggest games this year have come against Oklahoma's most skilled opponents.
Versus USC, Arkansas and Iowa, McCollum posted 17.3 points on average, shooting 48.7% from the field and adding just over a steal in those three contests.
Albeit a fairly small sample size, he has certainly been a driving force for the Sooners' early-season success. And from the appearance of his team's victories, its accomplishments hold validity.
Despite his undersized frame, McCollum's translatable skill set as a space creator and consistent shooter on his own accord is currently seeing his stock rise as a projected second round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
More must-reads: