MBB 2020-21 Player Previews: J.D. Notae

Basketball season will be here before we know it. While the official season start date was moved back to November 25, teams all over the nation are already practicing and preparing for the most wonderful time of the year.

Here at Arkansas Fight, Ryan Bolding and myself will be previewing a different player each week and what to expect this season. Next up is J.D. Notae.

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

#1 J.D. Notae – R-Jr. 6-1 195

In high school and 2 years at Jacksonville, J.D. Notae has been a consistent bucket. The kid can score! As a four year starter in high school, he averaged 22 points per game. As a freshman, Notae averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. He had a then career high of 30 points against Middle Georgia State and 2 other games with 24 or more points. Notae showed the ability to shoot from 3 point range with an impressive 40.5% from deep. As a result, He was awarded the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year award.

In year 2, Notae didn’t show the same consistency from 3. He shot just 32.0% from 3 as a sophomore, but was still a scoring machine from inside the arc. Notae greatly improved his efficiency from 2. As a freshman, he shot just 41.2% from 2, but improved to 52.0% in year 2. His averages per game also improved. Notae tallied 15.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Notae set a new career high of 40 points and scored 25 points or more in 3 other games.

Now after a year sitting out due to the NCAA transfer rules, Notae is eligible to wear the Razorback uniform. With Arkansas losing two great scorers in Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe, the opportunities for Notae to contribute couldn’t be any higher. While slightly undersized for a lead scoring guard in the SEC, Notae is a slasher who likes the mid-range pull up. He is a patient, crafty driver. With his size, he will have to continue to be a patient driver in the SEC.

In order to be extremely effective for Arkansas, Eric Musselman needs Notae to get back to shooting the 3 like he did as a freshman and improve his free throw shooting. Despite the Arkansas depth at guard, I think it is going to be hard for Eric Musselman to keep Notae out of the starting lineup. He is such a gifted scorer and driver. This Arkansas team is loaded with shooters. Notae’s ability to get to the basket and kick to shooters will be a must have for this team. If Notae can do that, it should be a fun year.

Thanks for reading!

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