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Discover the Best Fantasy Basketball Pickups to Boost Your Team's Performance This Week
2025-11-09 10:00
As I sit here analyzing this week's fantasy basketball landscape, I can't help but think about that incredible moment in the Ateneo game where Francisco stepped up when the Bulldogs needed him most in overtime. That's exactly what we're looking for in fantasy basketball pickups - players who rise to the occasion when opportunity knocks. This week presents some fascinating scenarios where certain players are positioned to become difference-makers for your fantasy squad, much like Francisco became the unexpected hero for his team.
The fantasy basketball landscape shifts dramatically from week to week, and I've learned through years of managing teams that being proactive with pickups can make or break your season. Just last week, I picked up Jalen Smith in three leagues, and his 18-point, 12-rebound performance felt like hitting the jackpot. What fascinates me about this week's potential pickups is how many of them are in situations similar to Francisco - they're not the household names, but they're stepping into roles where they can genuinely impact games. I'm particularly high on Tari Eason this week, especially with the Rockets dealing with multiple frontcourt injuries. He's been averaging 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds over his last five games, and I think those numbers could jump to around 18 and 10 given increased minutes.
What really excites me about finding these weekly gems is watching how certain players respond to increased responsibility. Remember how Francisco embraced the pressure in that Ateneo game? That's the mentality I look for. Take Dennis Schröder for instance - with the Raptors clearly in development mode, he's been logging 32 minutes per game and putting up 17.8 points with 6.4 assists. Those are solid numbers, but here's what many managers might be missing: his usage rate has climbed to 26.3% in close games, meaning he's the guy Toronto turns to when they need buckets. I've always valued players who aren't afraid to take big shots, and Schröder fits that mold perfectly.
The waiver wire can feel overwhelming sometimes, but I've developed a system that helps me identify the best pickups each week. First, I look at teams with four-game weeks - this week that includes Golden State, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Then I examine injury situations, and right now the Lakers situation with multiple guards banged up makes me really interested in Max Christie. He's been getting around 28 minutes per game recently and while his stats don't jump off the page, the opportunity is there for him to break out. I picked him up in two of my deeper leagues already, gambling that he'll average around 15 points with a couple threes and decent defensive stats this week.
Another category I always monitor is players returning from injury or those whose roles are expanding due to team changes. Kelly Olynyk is someone I've been watching closely since the trade deadline passed. He's been getting more involved in Utah's offense, averaging 5.2 assists over his last ten games from the center position - that's elite passing for a big man. What I love about Olynyk is his versatility; he can help you in multiple categories without hurting you anywhere. He's not going to win you a week single-handedly, but he's the kind of consistent producer that championship teams are built on.
I have to admit, I'm particularly drawn to players who show that clutch gene - the ones who, like Francisco in that Ateneo game, want the ball when the game is on the line. That's why I'm keeping a close eye on Amen Thompson. The numbers don't fully reflect his impact yet, but watch him play and you'll see the defensive intensity and athleticism that could translate to fantasy gold. He's averaging 1.4 steals per game in limited minutes, and if his playing time increases to 30 minutes, I could see that jumping to 2.0 steals with better scoring and rebounding numbers. Sometimes you have to trust your eyes over the raw stats, and my eyes tell me Thompson is about to break out.
The beauty of fantasy basketball is that every week presents new opportunities if you're paying attention. I remember last season when I picked up Walker Kessler right before his block streak began, and he single-handedly won me the blocks category for three straight weeks. This week, I'm looking at Nick Richards as a potential similar story. With Mark Williams still out, Richards has been putting up 12.3 points with 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his starts. Those are starting center numbers, yet he's available in over 60% of leagues. That's the kind of value that can transform your team's performance.
As we approach the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, every move becomes magnified. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to these weekly pickups - the players who emerge when given opportunity, much like Francisco did for the Bulldogs. What I've learned over years of playing fantasy basketball is that success isn't just about having the best draft picks; it's about continuously working the waiver wire, identifying emerging trends before others do, and having the courage to trust your analysis even when the conventional wisdom suggests otherwise. This week offers several players who could become fantasy heroes for your team - the key is recognizing their potential before everyone else does.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
