Overview
A three-star recruit, Javon Small began his collegiate basketball path with East Carolina. He came off the bench for all 15 appearances as a freshman in 2021-22. In 2022-23, he started every appearance (18 games), but transferred after the season to Oklahoma State, where he started making waves. As a junior, he was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team behind 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals. He then transferred to West Virginia for the 2024-25 campaign, during which Small was earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and was an AP All-American Honorable Mention after racking up 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 36.1 minutes.
Analysis
Potentially limited by his 6-foot-2 frame, Small has proven to be one of the most talented college basketball players in the country. He’s a strong defender, playmaker and can create his own shot without just launching 3s. Small gets to the rim and finishes through contact while drawing free throws. Small is often looking to get his teammates involved with a variety of creative passes. Defensively, he’s a pest to opposing teams’ ballhandlers and navigates well around screens.
Projection
Small’s path to earning a sizeable NBA role could start with backup point guard minutes, bringing energy and playmaking on both sides of the ball. His size may be a limiting factor in terms of being able to play one or two positions defensively, but he’s proven much as a shot-maker, passer and defender. His game has some similarities to Immanuel Quickley and Darren Collison, smaller guards who are great-but-not-elite athletes but able to play both sides of the ball.
— Profile by RotoWire.com