Julius Randle a rebounding machine for Kentucky Wildcats

Nov 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) and Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) go for a loose ball during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s early in the college basketball season, but one of the best players in the nation thus far has been one freshman power forward Julius Randle. He won’t turn 19 until after Thanksgiving, but he’s already showing the type of talent to become the top NBA Draft prospect of 2014.

In his first game as a college player, Randle scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in just 26 minutes against UNC Asheville. But his best performance came against the Michigan State Spartans, who boast one of the best frontcourts in the nation. But that didn’t stop the freshman from bullying his way to 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Through four games, the 6-foot-9, 250-pound big man is averaging 20.5 points and 14.3 rebounds. He is making 61.9 percent of his field-goal attempts and proved against a long Spartans front line that he can score in a variety of ways and finish with contact. Foul him, and he can make you pay. To start the year, he got to the free throw line 13, 14, and 15 times and is shooting almost 70 percent from the stripe.

Just look at where Randle ranks among the top rebounders from BCS Conferences

PLAYER	TEAM	GP	MPG	OFF	ORPG	DEF	DRPG	REB	RPG	RP40
Derrick Barden, F	UNCO	2	30.0	10	5.0	24	12.0	34	17.0	22.7
Jordan Loveridge, F	UTAH	2	27.5	4	2.0	24	12.0	28	14.0	20.4
Richard Solomon, F	CAL	4	27.5	12	3.0	38	9.5	50	12.5	18.2
Devin Thomas, F	WAKE	4	27.3	9	2.3	41	10.3	50	12.5	18.3
Noah Vonleh, F	IND	4	24.0	15	3.8	35	8.8	50	12.5	20.8
Johnny O’Bryant III, F	LSU	2	28.5	8	4.0	17	8.5	25	12.5	17.5
Gavin Ware, F	MSST	2	27.0	12	6.0	13	6.5	25	12.5	18.5
Jordan Bachynski, C	ASU	3	23.3	11	3.7	24	8.0	35	11.7	20.0

Randle’s 14. boards per game would have him second among all players from BCS conferences.