Jake Kretzer is living proof that stats don't always tell the entire story.
While averages of seven and a half points and three rebounds per game aren't exactly eye-popping, Kretzer does all of the little things that basketball coaches love. Be it diving for loose balls, boxing out on defense, or always hustling, the Akron junior is almost always around the basketball.
Kretzer is known for his machine gun-like three-point stroke. Check out his highlight video below and see just how quickly he gets the shot off each time:
He doesn't hold the ball any more than half a second, giving the defender no time to even come close to closing out on him. Also you'll notice how few times the ball hits the rim. The shot is so pure that the net barely moves.
What surprising is that even with that sweet of stroke, Kretzer was just 26th in the MAC in three point percentage at 35%. With another offseason to improve his shot and a better supporting cast, Kretzer's numbers in this department should improve greatly.
Back to what makes Kretzer so good.
The video above shows just a few of the instances of Kretzer crashing the boards, trying in any way possible to grab a rebound and get a stick-back layup. His nose for the ball is uncanny and his feel for where the ball will be coming off of the rim is amazing.
Kretzer's play is normally indicative of how Akron is playing as a whole. In ten losses last year, Kretzer averaged just over five points. In eighteen wins (Kretzer missed six games due to injury), he averaged nearly nine. The game at Eastern Michigan was the best of his career, as he went a cool seven threes and ended up with 25 points and seven rebounds.
This season will be an important one for Kretzer. He'll likely move into the starting lineup at small forward and will be relied on for his ability to hit the deep ball and for his hustle. Kretzer has the ability to be an all-MAC performer this year, and to be included on this list just shows how everyone around the conference views his potential.