Everyone can agree that Rashad Muhammad is the top player in Coach Dave Wojcik's initial recruiting class. His numbers scream this (17.3 point per game, 47% on treys, the most free throws attempted on the team).
However, it's important to keep in mind that Muhammad's offensive role is heavily predicated on catching and shooting. That's not to be simplistic, just a generalization. It's also not a dimensional lament because he is securing points, period. His height and lankiness allows him to get looks at the basket that most of the other Spartans cannot replicate, with possibly Jaleel Williams excepted although he is at 32% on three-point connectivity).
Now Jalen James on the other hand has much more heavy lifting to do because he plays the point. It's a role of initiating the offense, moving the ball around and trying to get the ball into the hands of a teammate who has an opportunity and hopefully an advantage for a shot attempt. As expected, James tops SJSU is in assists and turnovers (plus is third on the team in rebounding). To a degree, some of James' positives on the court aren't necessarily being recorded in the stat book but that's the nature of the beast for his position. Yes, more dribble-drive penetration needs to be forthcoming from him but that also must be synchronized with a true center who James can work with on entry passes which will produce more in-the-paint baskets, and thus assists.
So some of what James is bringing to the court isn't necessarily being statistically recorded but it's what coaches see as they watch games and video.
No, it would be incorrect to equate the contributions so far of Muhammad and James. But the team isn't yet designed to showcase the latter. As Sinatra sang. "the best is yet to come."
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