The one position that continues to evolve year in and year out both at the professional as well as at the collegiate level is the small forward position. 

A position that was once known more for their ability to play defense and rebounds has now shifted to a position that has seen so many great players develop into proven stars such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Both stars can not only play big but they can handle their team’s offense while also being dominant finishers.

While there are no LeBron James or Kevin Durant currently at the collegiate level, the NCAA does however have a solid group of stars at the small forward position who could ascend into the next stars of the future. Leading that charge of talented small forwards includes the likes of Julian Champagnie, Hyunjung Lee, Jaime Jaquez Jr and Ron Harper Jr. 

Each of these small forwards as well as the other names on the Top 10 College Basketball Small Forwards in 2022 rankings are talented enough to put together big time performances while carrying their respective teams.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Best Small Forwards in College Basketball in 2022.

Honorable Mention

Emoni Bates

School: Memphis Tigers

The talented freshman continues to develop into one of the game’s top young stars and one of the best freshmen in all of college basketball. Bates, who is from Ypsilanti, Michigan just missed the Top 10 small forwards in College Basketball. 

Bates who has appeared in 15 games this season is averaging 25.7 minutes per game while averaging 10.5 point a game to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contests. Bates has picked up at least 10 points in eight different games this season. While questions linger whether he will return for his sophomore season, Bates has shown at points this season he can be an effective scorer.

Marcus Bagley

School: Arizona State Sun Devils

One name that was well deserving of a spot on this list is the Arizona State Sun Devils sophomore small forward Marcus Bagley. Unfortunately for Bagley, he has not been able to showcase his abilities this season after appearing in just three games before injuring his knee in the third contest. 

In his first two games, Bagley scored 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three assists. Currently Bagley is rehabbing his knee injury with the hopes of returning soon to the Sun Devils lineup.

Top 10 College Small Forwards

10. Harrison Ingram

School: Stanford Cardinals

Another talented freshman on this Top 10 ranking list is the Stanford Cardinals small forward Harrison Ingram from Dallas, Texas. Ingram who is averaging 29.8 minutes per game this year is also averaging 11.5 points to go along with 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. 

Ingram has shown his ability to score and rebound throughout the season including over his first three games to start his college career where he scored 54 points to go along with 24 rebounds.

On the year, the Cardinals freshman has 10 different games with at least 10 points, four double doubles and 13 games with at least seven rebounds while helping the team to an 11-6 overall record.

9. Jermaine Samuels

School: Villanova Wildcats

With the load of talent the Villanova Wildcats have on their roster it makes it nearly impossible for one individual to dominate the stat sheet night in and night out. That said, Jermaine Samuels is one of those key weapons on the Wildcats team this year looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament while bringing home another National Championship.

 Samuels is averaging 10.6 points a game this season to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In the team’s 85-74 win over Georgetown on Saturday January 22nd, 2022, Samuels finished with 18 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot and three steals. Samuels is as good as any defender in College Basketball. 

8. Timmy Allen

School: Texas Longhorns

The six foot six senior small forward for the Texas Longhorns continues to be a threat on both ends of the floor while helping the team to a 14-5 record to start the season. Allen is averaging 11.7 points a game this season to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. 

On the year, Allen has posted two double doubles, 14 games with at least 10 points and nine different games with at least seven rebounds. Allen’s best performance came in the clubs 70-57 win over Kansas State back on January 4th, 2022 where he finished with 17 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three assists.

7. Jabari Walker

School: Colorado Buffaloes

Jabari Walker continues to showcase his abilities this season as a sophomore for the Colorado Buffaloes while helping the club to a 12-6 record to start the season. Walker has posted eight double doubles this season for the Buffaloes while the team has won seven of those eight contests.

 Despite a tough stretch of losses against Top 25 ranked teams, Walker continues to play a high level night in and night out. On the year, Walker is averaging 13.4 points a game to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. Walker’s size and speed has him as one of the top ranked small forwards in college basketball and one that will be high on many draft boards for teams around the NBA.

6. Lucas Williamson

School: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

The senior guard continues to develop into a well-rounded small forward while posting a career high 12.4 points a game this season to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Williamson who has the size and speed as well as athletic ability has the potential to play the small forward position as well as guard. 

The Ramblers small forward has posted at least 11 points in five straight games while the team has posted a 4-1 record over that stretch. Williamson is a pure shooter who is shooting 46.5% from the field this season and 42.4% from three point territory while also showing his ability to attack the glass.

5. Patrick Baldwin Jr.

School: Milwaukee Panthers

Coming in at number five on the Top 10 College Basketball Small Forward in 2022 is the six foot nine freshman Patrick Baldwin Jr of the Milwaukee Panthers. Baldwin Jr has showcased his speed and size this season for the Panthers over the course of eight games as he has battled injuries at various points. 

Baldwin Jr is averaging 13.4 points a game this season to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one blocked shot a game. In eight games this season, Baldwin posted at least 12 points in five of those contests including a season high December 4th, 2021 against Robert Morris Colonials. Look for Baldwin to continue to develop as he starts to appear in more games this season.

4. Jaime Jaquez Jr.

School: UCLA Bruins

Much like some of the other top college programs this season the UCLA Bruins are loaded with talent and one of those weapons in small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. Through 14 games this season Jaquez Jr is averaging 12.9 points a game to go along with 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. 

The junior small forward is versatile as any small forward in college and one that can play on both ends of the floor. On the year, Jaquez Jr has posted two double doubles, while also scoring at least 10 points in nine games including his season high 21 points in the team’s 86-77 overtime win against the Villanova Wildcats in the Good Sam Empire Classic back on November 12th, 2021.

3. Ron Harper Jr.

School: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

As his college career is coming to an end, the next future is potentially opening for Ron Harper Jr as he continues to play at a high level for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this season. The Scarlet Knights star has posted at least 20 points in six different games and at least 30 points in two different games including a 31 point, four rebound performance in the teams key 70-59 win over the Maryland Terps. 

In addition, his other 30 point performance came in the team’s 70-68 win over the Purdue Boilermakers who was ranked number one in the country at the time of the matchup. Harper Jr is averaging 16.3 points a game this season to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 blocked shots and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Harper Jr is shooting 45.3% from the field and 45.7% from behind the three point line.

2. Hyunjung Lee

School: Davidson Wildcats

The Davidson Wildcats may be one of the biggest surprises in College Basketball this season after starting the season winning 16 of their first 18 games while playing themselves into the Top 25 while sitting atop the A-10 Conference. Much of that success comes from Hyunjung Lee who is leading the team in scoring averaging 16.2 points a game while also adding 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest.

 Lee is one of four Wildcats to average at least 12 points a game and one of three averaging at least five rebounds a game. In addition, Lee is one of the best shooters in the game shooting 50% from the field while shooting 41.4% from three point territory. 

1. Julian Champagnie

School: St. John’s Red Storm

Coming in at number one on the Top 10 College Basketball Small Forwards in 22 list is the St. John’s Red Storm junior Julian Champagnie. Champagnie who is six foot eight has the size to play the forward positions but the speed and agility to be a true playmaking guard at both college and the NBA. 

Through his first 16 games this season, Champagnie is averaging a career high 20.4 points a game to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocked shots and 1.9 steals per game. The Red Storm small forward is a dynamic two way player that can play on both sides of the floor while making it difficult for opposing players to make plays.

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