Respect The Name
I have seen plenty of articles about the National Player of the Year debate in Women’s Basketball. Many of these articles have slept on or totally missed Megan Gustafson. One of the most recent public occurrences of this was during the men’s Indiana-Michigan State game on ESPN. Widely known commentator and basketball “expert”, Jay Bilas, listed off his candidates for Women’s National Player of the Year. Gustafson didn’t even make the list. This was baffling to me, because not only should Megan Gustafson be on this list, but she should be at the top of it.
Video Game Numbers
I don’t think I’m crazy for saying Megan Gustafson is the best women’s basketball player the University of Iowa has ever seen. Her stats are unbelievable, and they have just kept getting better. Gustafson averages a double-double, and is currently sitting at an NCAA leading 27.4 PPG and 13.3 RPG. Normally to put up these numbers, people think you must be selfish and command the ball. That is far from the truth with Gustafson. What she does do is get her work done quickly and efficiently, shooting an astounding 70% from the field.
To put things in perspective, Zion Williamson (who people have hyped up to be the greatest thing since sliced bread) is averaging 21.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and is shooting 68% from the field on the men’s side. Gustafson is statistically better than Zion in almost every category. Think about that!
Gustafson saw her 21st Big Ten Player of the Week Award a few weeks back, breaking the record for most all-time by a Big Ten player. All of this has been done while hitting a milestone of 2,500 points, coupled with having 250+ more rebounds than anybody in the history of the Hawkeyes. She does all of this with more double teams than almost anybody in the nation. The ability to dominate at the level she does on a nightly basis is incredible when you factor the amount of effort that goes in to stopping her.
Doing More With Less
She is putting up better stats with less of a team behind her. This isn’t to knock any of the girls on the Iowa team, as they are all incredible players with amazing work ethic. What this is saying is Gustafson isn’t on UCONN, Oregon, Baylor, Louisville or Notre Dame. Yes, I’m talking to you Sabrina Lonescu, Asia Durr, Kalani Brown, Arike Ogunbowale, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Napheesa Collier. Gustafson has led the Hawkeyes to a national ranking of 12th (13-4 in conference, 22-6 overall). This means she could take the Hawkeyes to a top ten ranking in the nation. As you can see, she’s doing it while putting up the best stats in the country.
What’s The Debate?
The fact that this is even a debate makes my jaw drop. Gustafson is getting double teamed more than anybody in the country, she has less of a team than other National Player of the Year contenders, and is putting up far better stats than anyone on the list. If you think this award should go to someone other than Gustafson, what are you watching? Give me Gustafson by a mile.
