With rising NIL budgets enabling some players to earn more money playing another season of college basketball than by turning pro, we're seeing more and more All-American-caliber players opt to return to school.
When combined with a loaded 2024 high school class and arguably the most talented group of international newcomers, men's college basketball is very healthy when it comes to high-end talent.
North Carolina's RJ Davis is the first ACC Player of the Year to return to school since Tyler Hansbrough in 2008, while fellow AP All-Americans Mark Sears, Hunter Dickinson, Caleb Love and Johni Broome are all back too. Also returning are Wade Taylor IV and Ryan Kalkbrenner, who have both racked up multiple years' worth of conference honors in power-conference leagues.
There's elite freshmen Cooper Flagg, Airious "Ace" Bailey, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe. Projected top-15 draft picks from overseas include Egor Demin, Kasparas Jakucionis and Khaman Maluach.
There's a lot of talent. But what's the pecking order entering the season?
ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf sought to figure that out, ranking the top 100 players in the sport. They each submitted their own 1-100 ranking, combined the two, tweaked a couple of dozen names and settled on the below order.
The biggest debate? Which player ranks No. 1.
For the past two years, Reynolds has been among America's most consistent players (he went from 19.6 PPG, 38% from beyond the arc and 89% from the free throw line in 2022-23 to 17.3 PPG, 38% from beyond the arc and 87% from the free throw line in 2023-24). This season, he's the leader of a Hawks team that could very well make its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2016.
Smith is heading to his fourth school in five years, but he's coming off by far the best season of his college career. He averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists last year, shooting nearly 41% from 3. All of those were career highs. Smith also tallied five triple-doubles, including back-to-back performances in the NIT. The additions of Smith -- and top-100 teammate Kadary Richmond -- should transform Rick Pitino's team.
T.J. Otzelberger has found another star in the Midwest. Momcilovic, who hails from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, should have a breakout second season with the Cyclones. In March, he put together a handful of impressive efforts -- 18 points against 1-seed Houston, 19 points against 15-seed South Dakota State in the NCAA tournament -- as Iowa State bowed out a little too early. The 6-foot-8 sophomore's return should sustain the momentum that won ISU the Big 12 tournament.
The buzz out of Durham about Knueppel is incredibly strong -- to the point he's now ranked inside the top 10 of ESPN's 2025 NBA draft rankings. He's a high-level scorer and 3-point shooter with 6-foot-7 size and a high basketball IQ. Despite the return of guards Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster, Knueppel could push his way into Duke's starting lineup.
Penny Hardaway couldn't overcome a midseason losing streak to reach a third consecutive NCAA tournament. But Haggerty -- an all-AAC third team player as a freshman last season -- should show signs of growth and help Memphis position itself to capture a berth. Haggerty averaged 21.2 PPG, a top-15 mark in America, last season.
One of the more unheralded players on this list, Felton is a preseason All-AAC selection who scored in double figures in each of his final 25 games last season. He hit 20-plus points in 10 games, including back-to-back 30-point efforts in November. Felton is a terrific rebounder for his size who continues to make strides as a 3-point shooter.
An odd academic suspension at Michigan last year -- he missed six road games -- interrupted McDaniel's 2023-24 and overshadowed a stellar season for the 5-11 guard, who averaged 16.3 PPG and 4.7 APG. He also connected on 37% of his shots from beyond the arc. He can be a catalyst for a rebuilt Wildcats squad.
Todd Golden will hope he's getting the version of Martin that helped Florida Atlantic take the world by storm in 2023. In FAU's run to the Final Four, Martin was terrific, averaging 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in his final seven games -- including 26 against San Diego State in the national semifinals. Martin was more inconsistent last season, but still showcased his offensive abilities. Walter Clayton Jr. needs a sidekick in Gainesville; Martin could be that guy.
Last year didn't go as planned for Wagner, who had been the No. 1 prospect in America earlier in his high school career. The emergence of Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham at Kentucky complicated his growth. But anyone who has watched Wagner (9.9 PPG last year) since high school knows how good he can be.
Pack hasn't been able to replicate his Kansas State sophomore scoring numbers during his two years at Miami, but with the departures of Norchad Omier, Wooga Poplar, Bensley Joseph and Kyshawn George, he might have to take more shots this season. How Jim Larrañaga structures his backcourt around Pack, top-10 recruit Jalil Bethea and Stetson transfer Jalen Blackmon will be interesting to monitor.
The 6-6 Lithuanian talent is one of the top international players to enter the mix this season. He excelled at multiple levels of the international scene, maintaining an impressive shooting ability at every stop. He's a first-round prospect in ESPN's latest 2025 NBA mock draft. He has the size and skill to make a smooth transition to college and the NBA.
A Russia native who played extensive minutes at Real Madrid, Demin is expected to make a significant impact for Kevin Young's first team at BYU. At 6-9, he poses matchup problems for opponents, given his vision and ability to pick apart defenses via the pass or operating out of a pick-and-roll. He'll have the ball in his hands often, and Young's NBA-style offense will benefit from him too.
Hubert Davis is entering a critical season. But the arrival of Powell, a five-star prospect in the 2024 class, should ease his path to the NCAA tournament. At 6-5, Powell's greatest strength is probably his versatility. In a landscape full of elite players, he can be a talented scorer and also defend multiple positions -- key for a UNC squad that had a top-10 defense a year ago.
There were questions about whether Mayo's production at South Dakota State -- where he earned Summit League Player of the Year and averaged 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists -- would translate to Kansas. But early word out of Lawrence is Mayo has been terrific all offseason and has been pushing for a starting spot from day one.
The 6-4 guard, who ranked 10th in the 2024 class per ESPN, is an explosive prospect with shooting range to beat teams from the perimeter. He's also capable of attacking and scoring in a multitude of ways. Named a McDonald's All-American, Bethea might not have the same buzz as some of his peers in the class, but he'll be one of the most talented players in the ACC.
Despite losing a few key players to the portal, getting Thornton back to run the show was imperative for interim-turned-permanent coach Jake Diebler. Thornton led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7 PPG), assists (4.8 APG) and steals (1.2 SPG) and demonstrated stellar decision-making last season. The All-Big Ten guard might have to shoulder more of the scoring load, but seven games of 24-plus points shows he has the ability.
One of the best young point guards in America, Lowe excelled in the final stretch of his freshman season, averaging 13.1 PPG and 4.6 APG in his final 12 games. He also made 41% of his 3-point attempts during that stretch. He's a player more people across the country will know as his game continues to evolve.
The Zags should have a strong idea of Ajayi's ability, given they faced him twice last season when he was at Pepperdine. Ajayi struggled in those matchups but still averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds last season, shooting 47% from 3 and earning first-team All-WCC honors. With Steele Venters injured again, Ajayi's size and shooting ability will be a real asset for Mark Few.
Lee, who averaged 17.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 3.7 APG, joined teammate Caden Pierce on the All-Ivy League first team in 2023-24. After entering the NBA draft over the summer, he decided to return to college basketball and will anchor what will be the top team in the Ivy League and (once again) a potential Cinderella in March.
Maluach was considered one of the elite recruits in the 2024 high school class and ranks as one of the best international prospects entering college basketball. He's 7-2 and will make an immediate impact on the defensive end as a shot-blocker and rim presence. The South Sudan native is a developing talent on the offensive end, but he should help as a lob threat and rim-runner.
The most improved player in the Pac-12 last season will enter his team's first season in the ACC as one of the league's top big men. The 7-1 center made 48% of his 3-point attempts in league play and 75% of his free throw attempts last season, both significant improvements over 2023-24.
Shulga looked to be headed to Villanova last spring, but he ultimately opted to return to VCU. The Ukraine native is an underrated player nationally, but Atlantic 10 coaches and players know how good he is after he earned first-team all-league honors last season. Shulga averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 41.5% from 3.
With the score tied at 77 in what felt like a home game for Indiana State at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the NIT championship last season, the former Xavier star scored the game-winning layup, punctuating an 18-point effort. At SEC media day, Chris Beard said Davis (15.9 PPG last season) has the potential to be an All-American.
Hubert Davis said this season's version of Cadeau is "unrecognizable" from last year, when Cadeau reclassified from the recruiting class of 2024 to join the Tar Heels earlier than expected. He has long been considered one of the elite passers in the country but will look to improve upon his 18.9% 3-point shooting. If he can make strides as a shooter and on-ball defender, he can be one of the best point guards in college basketball.
76. Caden Pierce
Princeton Tigers | F | Junior
If you check Princeton's early-season schedule, you won't find many major-conference opponents. You can blame Pierce (16.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG) -- an all-Ivy League first-team contributor last season -- and his teammates for that. This is the group, you might recall, that finished 24-5 last season, a year after a surprising Sweet 16 run.
75. Tyrese Hunter
Memphis Tigers | G | Senior
Hunter has started 106 college games in three seasons at Iowa State and Texas, averaging double figures in scoring and showing effective two-way ability. He will have to be a catalyst for Penny Hardaway's team at both ends of the floor, and to show more consistency; he hit double figures in just six of his final 16 regular-season games in 2023-24.
74. Motiejus Krivas
Arizona Wildcats | C | Sophomore
Tommy Lloyd will enter Arizona's first Big 12 season with enough talent to win the league's title. Oumar Ballo's transfer to Indiana will open up more opportunities for Krivas, a 7-2 center who averaged 5.4 points in just over 12 minutes per game last season and is viewed as a legit NBA prospect. Lloyd has helped some of the top big men in the country mature into elite players. Krivas should be next.
73. Baye Ndongo
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | F | Sophomore
Ndongo didn't take long to show his talent after missing the beginning of his freshman season with a hand injury: In just his third healthy game, he went for 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in an upset win over Duke. He proceeded to average 12.4 points and 8.2 rebounds as a freshman.
72. Ian Schieffelin
Clemson Tigers | F | Senior
During the lead-up to Duke's home game against the Tigers, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer called Schieffelin (10.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 59% clip inside the arc) one of the most difficult matchups in the ACC. At 6-8, 240 pounds, he's a threat in the post but he also made 47% of his 3-point attempts. He's one of the most balanced players on this list.
71. Jamir Watkins
Florida State Seminoles | G | Senior
The former VCU transfer withdrew from both the NBA draft and the transfer portal to return to Tallahassee, where he broke out last season. The 6-7 guard averaged 15.6 points and 6.0 rebounds and made headlines with his 34-point, 11-rebound showing against Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament. Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles are hungry for a bounce-back season; Watkins would be at the heart of it.
70. Wooga Poplar
Villanova Wildcats | G | Senior
Two years ago, Poplar had a strong postseason run to help Miami make its first-ever trip to the Final Four, after connecting on 45% of his 3s in league play. He wasn't as successful in ACC play last season (32%) for a then-turbulent Hurricanes squad, but a fresh start at Villanova could give the 6-5 standout the opportunity to once again look like the player we saw during that Final Four run.
69. KJ Adams Jr.
Kansas Jayhawks | F | Senior
One of the few players on this list with national championship experience, Adams' role has increased exponentially since his three-minute cameo against North Carolina in the 2022 title game. He's a difficult matchup due to his strength and finishing ability in the lane, but he's also an adept passer out of the post. Improved shooting around him should open up more interior space for Adams.
68. Zach Freemantle
Xavier Musketeers | F | Senior
Freemantle hasn't participated in any official games since Jan. 28, 2023, due to multiple foot surgeries that caused him to miss a good portion of the 2022-23 season and all of 2023-24. But the 6-9 forward (who averaged 15.2 PPG during 22 games two years ago) returned to the floor during an October exhibition against Dayton and led his team with 17 points. It appears Zach Freemantle is back.
67. Aidan Mahaney
UConn Huskies | G | Junior
Mahaney earned first-team All-WCC honors in each of his two seasons at Saint Mary's, and he will now go across the country to the two-time reigning national champions. He can play both backcourt roles for the Huskies and his perimeter shooting ability -- 40% from 3 as a freshman, 35.5% last season -- should work well alongside Alex Karaban, Liam McNeeley and Solomon Ball.
66. Tyrese Proctor
Duke Blue Devils | G | Junior
We're still waiting for Proctor (38% from beyond the arc in ACC play) to reach his potential after arriving from Australia as a five-star prospect two years ago. He made strides last season (averaging 10.5 PPG) and now he'll be surrounded by Cooper Flagg and other potential lottery picks. Proctor will have his chance to build a strong effort in the NCAA tournament.
65. Terrence Edwards Jr.
Louisville Cardinals | G | Senior
The reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, Edwards averaged 17.2 points and 3.4 assists and then led James Madison to an NCAA tournament upset win over Wisconsin. Then he transferred to headline Pat Kelsey's first class at Louisville. The Cardinals are starting from scratch with their roster, but Edwards is the most proven offensive weapon at the college level; he will probably have first crack at being the team's offensive leader.
64. Jonas Aidoo
Arkansas Razorbacks | F | Senior
There are a number of unknowns with John Calipari's first Arkansas squad, but Aidoo (11.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG) isn't one of them. The former Tennessee standout, who earned a spot on the all-SEC defensive team with the Vols last season, anchored a defense that ranked third in adjusted efficiency. We could expect something similar in Fayetteville.
63. Keshon Gilbert
Iowa State Cyclones | G | Senior
Gilbert led the Cyclones in scoring (13.7 PPG) and was second in assists (4.2) and steals (2.0) per game, solidifying himself as a critical two-way player in T.J. Otzelberger's system. He had several big performances against top-25 teams but struggled shooting the ball in the NCAA tournament. With Iowa State projected to be a high seed once again this season, Gilbert will look to rectify that in March.
62. Myles Rice
Indiana Hoosiers | G | Sophomore
The Pac-12 disruption that left Oregon State and Washington State without homes created opportunities for other teams around the country. Indiana now adds Rice, a former star at Washington State who averaged 14.8 PPG and 1.6 SPG last year. Ranked "very good" in transition, he's also one of the fastest players in the country with the ball in hands.
61. Derik Queen
Maryland Terrapins | C | Freshman
Queen is one of the more unusual big men in the country, with excellent passing and ballhandling ability for a 6-10 center. He can score around the rim or facilitate offense for others while facing up, showing a tremendous skill level. Can Kevin Willard find a way to get the best out of Queen and fellow big man Julian Reese?
60. Dedan Thomas Jr.
UNLV Rebels | G | Sophomore
Thomas (13.6 PPG, 5.1 APG), the Mountain West co-rookie of the year, had a promising development toward the end of his first season, making 51% of his shots in the final five games of 2023-24. He has shown he can be a reliable leader in transition, and he has the ability to create his own shot, a skill that should continue to improve in his second season.
59. Tramon Mark
Texas Longhorns | G | Senior
After three seasons at Houston, Mark looked to expand his offensive role and went to Arkansas, where he averaged 16.2 points and shot career highs from both the field and 3-point range. Highlights of his single season for the Razorbacks include 34 points against North Carolina and 35 against Texas A&M. The Longhorns have a slew of talented scorers, but Mark will seek to establish his alpha role early.
58. Matthew Murrell
Ole Miss Rebels | G | Senior
If the 6-4 guard can follow up on his performance from last season -- 16.2 PPG, 40% from 3 -- Murrell could become one of the top three scorers in Ole Miss history. He's a threat the moment he crosses half court and a difficult matchup in transition. Chris Beard's squad has one of America's most consistent shooters.
57. Emanuel Sharp
Houston Cougars | G | Junior
Sharp emerged as one of Houston's most prolific outside threats last season, shooting nearly 37% from 3 on six attempts per game. He had bouts of inconsistency but showed the ability to carry the Cougars' offense on occasion -- including his 30-point performance against Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament, and 20 points in a crucial February win over Iowa State.
56. Yaxel Lendeborg
UAB Blazers | F | Senior
The AAC Defensive Player of the Year and an all-AAC first team selection in 2023-24, Lendeborg led Andy Kennedy's squad to the conference tournament championship with an MVP-caliber performance in the three games prior (15.0 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG). The 6-9 standout also made 84% of his free throw attempts in league play.
55. Jackson Shelstad
Oregon Ducks | PG | Sophomore
A consistent playmaker who had a reputation as a winner coming out of high school, Shelstad continued to thrive as a steady point guard in his first season in Eugene. He was integral in the Ducks' run to the Pac-12 tournament title, scoring 21 points against Arizona in the semis and 17 against Colorado in the championship game.
54. Ace Baldwin Jr.
Penn State Nittany Lions | G | Senior
Baldwin (14.2 PPG, 2.7 SPG) was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a semifinalist for the Naismith national defensive player honor last season after wreaking havoc on opposing backcourts. With Baldwin's defensive prowess, Penn State forced turnovers on 21% of opposing teams' possessions last year -- a top-25 mark, according to KenPom.
53. Donovan Dent
New Mexico Lobos | G | Junior
One of the most electric playmakers in the country, Dent is nearly impossible to keep out of the lane with the ball in his hands. He averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 assists, and he went for 31 points against Boise State in late January. With Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr. and JT Toppin gone, there could be more shots coming Dent's way in 2024-25.
52. Coleman Hawkins
Kansas State Wildcats | G | Senior
One of the most coveted transfers on the market, Hawkins (12.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 37% from beyond the arc) reportedly received a $2 million NIL deal to make the move to Kansas State after helping take Illinois to the Elite Eight. Was he worth it? Well, EvanMiya.com's BPR, which measures a player's individual impact, ranked him ahead of Hunter Dickinson, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Armando Bacot last season.
51. JT Toppin
Texas Tech Red Raiders | F | Sophomore
An unranked four-star recruit when he arrived at New Mexico, Toppin was one of the biggest surprises in the freshman class a year ago. He won Mountain West Freshman of the Year and earned all-conference honors after averaging 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds -- including three double-doubles in high-profile games against San Diego State. He's now back in his home state as a frontcourt anchor for Grant McCasland.
50. Jaxson Robinson
Kentucky Wildcats | G | Senior
After withdrawing from the NBA draft, Robinson (14.2 PPG) followed Mark Pope to Kentucky, where he'll join a group of transfers aiming to make the Wildcats competitive in their first year without John Calipari. Robinson has to be more consistent in Lexington (he shot just 30% from 3 in Big 12 play last season), but his best performances -- see: 18 points, 4-for-9 from beyond the arc in a win over Kansas in 2023-24 -- showed he can be one of the top players in his new conference.
49. Dawson Garcia
Minnesota Golden Gophers | F | Senior
After stops at Marquette and North Carolina, Garcia returned home to Minnesota for the previous two seasons, and he is playing the best basketball of his college career. Last season, he averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds, earning All-Big Ten honors. He is now the league's top returning scorer. Coach Ben Johnson faces a pivotal fourth season in charge of the Gophers, and he'll be leaning heavily on Garcia.
48. Pop Isaacs
Creighton Bluejays | G | Junior
The Texas Tech transfer averaged 15.8 PPG last season for the Red Raiders, who tied for third place in the Big 12 and secured a trip to the NCAA tournament. At Creighton, he'll play next to Ryan Kalkbrenner, which should create opportunities for Isaacs to make even more of an impact on offense and at the free throw line (84%).
47. Payton Sandfort
Iowa Hawkeyes | F | Senior
Sandfort opted to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to the Hawkeyes for another season, and Fran McCaffery should be thankful. The 6-8 forward averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, shooting nearly 38% from 3-point range. He also posted a 26-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Penn State in February. If Iowa is to get back to the tournament, Sandfort will be the driving force.
46. Augustas Marciulionis
Saint Mary's Gaels | G | Senior
The son of Sarunas Marciulionis -- a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and one of the greatest international players in the game's history -- could extend his own legacy this season as his usage numbers increase. Randy Bennett will be asking the 6-4 guard, who made 39% of his 3-point attempts in WCC play a year ago, to lead the program.
45. Vladislav Goldin
Michigan Wolverines | C | Senior
After showing flashes during FAU's run to the Final Four in 2023, Goldin enjoyed a true breakout last season, averaging 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds -- including a dominant 11-game stretch to finish the campaign when he was putting up 19.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. He has followed Dusty May to Michigan, where he will pair with Yale transfer Danny Wolf to form a unique big man duo.
44. Malik Reneau
Indiana Hoosiers | F | Junior
Mike Woodson has told reporters he believes this year's Indiana squad could be the best of his tenure. The return of the 6-9 forward who averaged 15.4 PPG last season could help the Hoosiers prove as much. Reneau's greatest asset might be his patience around the rim, where he excels: He made 59% of his shots inside the arc in 2023-24.
43. Grant Nelson
Alabama Crimson Tide | F | Senior
Nelson was a star at North Dakota State in 2022-23 but accepted a lesser role when he transferred to Alabama last season. His ability to put up big numbers is still there though, as evidenced by his NCAA tournament performances: 24 points and 12 rebounds against North Carolina, 19 and 15 against UConn.
42. Josh Hubbard
Mississippi State Bulldogs | G | Sophomore
Hubbard is the embodiment of the term "volume shooter." Last season, he took 34.2% of his team's shots when he was on the floor, ranking 11th nationally. He also had big moments -- 28 points against South Carolina, 34 against Kentucky, 25 against Tennessee -- solidifying the 5-11 guard's status as one of the top young players in college basketball.
41. Tyon Grant-Foster
Grand Canyon Lopes | G | Senior
Grant-Foster already owns a tremendous story: starting his career in junior college and going through multiple heart surgeries -- which took him away from the game for 16 months -- before finally landing on his feet with Bryce Drew at Grand Canyon. And now Grant-Foster is an NBA prospect. He averaged 20.1 points last season, including 29 against Alabama in the NCAA tournament.
40. Markus Burton
Notre Dame Fighting Irish | G | Sophomore
Burton gave ND fans a reason to smile in a 13-20 season -- Micah Shrewsberry's first year in South Bend. The 5-11 guard, averaged 17.5 PPG as a freshman, finishing with 20 points or more in 11 games. If he can become a consistent threat from the 3-point line (30%), the all-ACC third team pick could mature into one of the expanded conference's best players.
39. Tyson Degenhart
Boise State Broncos | F | Senior
A two-time All-Mountain West selection and the Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year, Degenhart was immense down the stretch, leading the Broncos to the NCAA tournament. In Boise State's final 11 games before the tournament, he averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds, shooting nearly 37% from 3-point range. He'll once again be the go-to guy for the league favorite.
38. Jeremy Roach
Baylor Bears | G | Senior
The former Duke guard, who helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four in Coach K's final season, is now a veteran leader at Baylor, where he'll be asked to steady the backcourt with freshman star VJ Edgecombe. Roach connected on 43% of his 3-point attempts last year. His playmaking ability helped him earn a spot on the all-ACC third team, and he'll enter the Big 12 as one of the league's top guards too.
37. Dajuan Harris Jr.
Kansas Jayhawks | G | Senior
Harris is back in Lawrence to chase his second national championship. He started 39 of 40 games as a sophomore during the Jayhawks' title-winning campaign, and he has started every game the past two seasons. He's a dogged on-ball defender and a steady playmaker who runs the offense and gets the ball to his teammates in the right spot. Also a capable 3-point shooter if defenses leave him open.
36. Clifford Omoruyi
Alabama Crimson Tide | C | Senior
At Rutgers, Omoruyi (10.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.9 BPG) secured a spot on the Big Ten's all-defensive team after anchoring a Rutgers defense that finished fifth in adjusted efficiency. His new squad finished 111th on that list. The 6-11 center's arrival in Tuscaloosa is the reason the Tide will enter the year ranked 30th on KenPom preseason projections of adjusted defensive efficiency.
35. Robbie Avila
Saint Louis Billikens | C | Junior
After becoming something of a cult hero last season at Indiana State -- earning nicknames such as "Cream Abdul-Jabbar" and "Larry Nerd" -- Avila followed coach Josh Schertz to Saint Louis. With Schertz's highly efficient offensive system also traveling to the Atlantic 10, Avila should continue to put up numbers along the same lines as last season's 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
34. Collin Murray-Boyles
South Carolina Gamecocks | F | Sophomore
While he showed his potential in a freshman season that included averages of 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, and a 61% clip inside the arc, the 6-7 forward will be asked to do even more after returning to South Carolina. At SEC media day, head coach Lamont Paris said the projected first-round pick in next summer's NBA draft will be the guiding force of the Gamecocks' offensive attack.
33. Tucker DeVries
West Virginia Mountaineers | G | Senior
DeVries opted to follow his father, Darian, when he left Drake to take the West Virginia job. And much like he was in the Missouri Valley, DeVries will now be the focal point of his team's offense in the Big 12. He averaged 21.6 points last season, winning his second straight Missouri Valley Player of the Year award. His size and shooting will translate to the big leagues.
32. J'Wan Roberts
Houston Cougars | F | Senior
The 6-8 standout's numbers -- 9.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG last season -- might not seem to validate his spot ahead of some of the other stars on this list. But Roberts is the reason why the analytics matter. Per EvanMiya.com's player impact rating BPR metric, he was ranked 23rd last season, ahead of other standouts such as Terrence Shannon Jr., DaRon Holmes II and Hunter Dickinson.
31. AJ Storr
Kansas Jayhawks | G | Junior
Storr is at his third school in three years. He started his career at St. John's before transferring to Wisconsin, where he had a breakout sophomore campaign (16.8 PPG, second-team All-Big Ten honors). Now he's in Lawrence, where he will be expected to start from Day 1 for the nation's preseason No. 1 team.
30. Great Osobor
Washington Huskies | F | Senior
During the offseason, Osobor (17.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.4 BPG) was discussed mostly because of a reported seven-figure NIL deal. But the Utah State transfer, who followed head coach Danny Sprinkle to the West coast, should contend for all-Big Ten honors in the school's first year in the conference.
29. Norchad Omier
Baylor Bears | F | Senior
Baylor was well-stocked on the perimeter after the additions of VJ Edgecombe and Jeremy Roach, but Scott Drew needed a productive big man. And they don't come much more productive than Omier. He's averaged a double-double in each of his four college seasons to date, including 17.0 points and 10.0 boards last season at Miami. He'll provide balance for the Bears.
28. Eric Dixon
Villanova Wildcats | F | Senior
The 6-8 talent is as capable of connecting from outside (36% from 3 last season) as he is making an impact in the paint and as a defender. In his final nine games of the 2023-24 season, he averaged 19.4 PPG and 7.2 RPG for a Villanova team seeking its first NCAA tournament berth under third-year coach Kyle Neptune.
27. Liam McNeeley
UConn Huskies | F | Freshman
McNeeley decommitted from Indiana last March and picked UConn several weeks later, giving Dan Hurley a readymade replacement for his quartet of outgoing NBA draft picks. The No. 9 recruit in ESPN's class of 2024, who played alongside Cooper Flagg at Montverde Academy last season, brings size, scoring ability and perimeter shooting -- as well as a high-level competitive streak. He and Alex Karaban should form a deadly offensive duo.
26. Bryce Hopkins
Providence Friars | F | Senior
At 6-7, 220 pounds, Hopkins is difficult to stop once he charges through the lane. He's also a capable ball-handler with the speed to take opposing defenders off the dribble and finish at the rim. When Hopkins (15.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG) is recovered from last year's season-ending knee injury, he'll be one of the best players in America. The "when," however, remains unclear.
25. Tre Johnson
Texas Longhorns | G | Freshman
Johnson is a truly elite scorer, one of the best pure bucket-getters in the high school class of 2024. He's a top-five recruit and a projected lottery pick. Despite Rodney Terry going into the transfer portal and landing a slew of big-time scorers, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Johnson lead the Longhorns in scoring.
24. Walter Clayton Jr.
Florida Gators | G | Senior
A year ago, the 6-3 Clayton Jr. averaged 17.6 PPG and connected on 37% of his 3-point attempts. His 33-point loss in Florida's 102-100 loss to Colorado in the first round of the NCAA tournament was perhaps a sign of what's ahead when head coach Todd Golden gives him even more control as the likely starting point guard.
23. Ryan Nembhard
Gonzaga Bulldogs | G | Senior
After two stellar seasons at Creighton, Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga and put up the best playmaking numbers of his career. He finished in the top 10 nationally in assists, dishing out 6.9 per game, while also averaging a career-high 12.6 points. Nembhard was terrific late in the 2023-24 campaign, racking up 10-plus assists in six of his final 11 games.
22. Johnell Davis
Arkansas Razorbacks | G | Senior
After he withdrew from the NBA draft this spring, Davis -- the hero who led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023 -- decided to play for John Calipari at Arkansas, where he'll be a veteran leader for a roster stacked with young talent. He made 41% of his 3-point attempts and 86% of his free throw attempts on his way to sharing co-AAC player of the year honors.
21. Graham Ike
Gonzaga Bulldogs | F | Senior
After missing the entire 2022-23 season with a fractured foot and transferring from Wyoming to Gonzaga, Ike returned the same dominant player last season he was with the Cowboys in 2021-22. He averaged 16.5 points and 7.4 boards, shooting better than 60% from the floor. He played his best basketball toward the end, hitting 20-plus points in his final seven regular-season games.
20. Zakai Zeigler
Tennessee Volunteers | G | Senior
Rick Barnes' program lost more than 55 points per game from a Vols squad that reached the Elite Eight last year. But Zeigler (11.8 PPG, 6.1 APG) is back for a Tennessee team that will follow the guard's lead. That's a good thing. He made 37% of his 3-point attempts and 54% of his shots inside the arc in SEC play last year, while also leading the conference in assist rate, per KenPom.
19. Oumar Ballo
Indiana Hoosiers | C | Senior
The best big man in the portal in the spring, Ballo was a two-time first-team All-Pac 12 selection at Arizona. He averaged 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds last season and ranked in the top 10 nationally in field goal percentage. It will be interesting to see how Ballo coexists with Malik Reneau, another productive low-post force in Bloomington.
18. Braden Smith
Purdue Boilermakers | G | Junior
Last preseason, Smith told ESPN he felt like an underdog. Following an impressive 2023-24 campaign -- in which he averaged 12.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 1.6 SPG and shot 43% from the 3-point line -- Smith has been named the Big Ten's preseason player of the year. He's certainly one of the best returning college basketball players, and with Zach Edey in the NBA now, he runs the show in West Lafayette.
17. L.J. Cryer
Houston Cougars | G | Senior
Cryer has been one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the country for the past three seasons, two of them at Baylor and last season at Houston. He's attempted six 3-pointers per game for his career, making them at a nearly 41% clip. Kelvin Sampson could look to him for an expanded role this season after the departure of Jamal Shead.
16. VJ Edgecombe
Baylor Bears | G | Freshman
The 6-4, two-way star is already a projected lottery pick for the 2025 NBA draft. The five-star prospect has justified the hype after he excelled against some of the best players in the world over the summer. Although his Bahamian national team failed to secure a trip to the Paris Olympics, Edgecombe averaged 16.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 3.8 APG in the qualifying tournament in Valencia.
15. Kadary Richmond
St. John's Red Storm | G | Senior
Arguably the best transfer in the portal this spring, Richmond isn't traveling far to his new home. Rick Pitino and the Red Storm should have plenty of familiarity with Richmond, having faced the 6-6 New York native three times in 2023-24. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season, and then went for 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists in the NIT title game.
14. Tamin Lipsey
Iowa State Cyclones | G | Junior
Few players enjoyed the year-to-year transformation as Lipsey, who was key for the Cyclones' trip to the Sweet 16 last season. During the 2022-23 campaign, Lipsey (12.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.7 SPG) made just 20% of his 3-point attempts. But he returned to become a reliable threat (39.1%) from beyond the arc. His usage numbers significantly increased, and he also reduced his turnovers.
13. Hunter Sallis
Wake Forest Demon Deacons | G | Senior
Sallis was one of the biggest breakout stars in the country last season. Despite being a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, he was a rotation player during his two seasons at Gonzaga before moving across the country to Winston-Salem. It turned out to be a much-needed change. Sallis went from averaging 4.5 points as a sophomore to 18.0 points -- scoring in single digits just once all campaign.
12. Dylan Harper
Rutgers Scarlet Knights | G | Freshman
As a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ron Harper averaged 22.9 PPG and finished second in the Rookie of the Year race. Dylan, his son and a 6-5 projected lottery pick, is similarly expected to make his mark in his college debut, where he'll team with fellow five-star prospect, Ace Bailey, and attempt to lead the program to its second ever Final Four appearance. His 22-point effort in the McDonald's All-American game in April was an early highlight.
11. Kam Jones
Marquette Golden Eagles | G | Senior
Don't be surprised if Jones is the top scorer among all power-conference players. He averaged 17.2 points last season playing alongside Tyler Kolek. In six games without the former All-America point guard, he averaged 20.8 points and 4.5 assists. He'll have the ball in his hands more this season, but he's smooth and efficient as a playmaker and should be able to shine.
10. Alex Karaban
UConn Huskies | F | Junior
The Huskies have a chance to win their third consecutive national title this season -- a feat that hasn't occurred in men's college basketball since UCLA's run from 1966-67 to 1972-73 under John Wooden. That's in part because of Karaban's decision to return, after averaging 13.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG and going 38% from 3. After playing alongside a pair of lottery picks last season and the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player (Tristen Newton), Karaban is ready to showcase his full potential as the leader of this year's Huskies squad.
9. Airious "Ace" Bailey
Rutgers Scarlet Knights | G | Freshman
Cooper Flagg is getting much of the attention this season but Bailey isn't too far behind when it comes to NBA draft hype. He's incredibly explosive and a matchup problem due to his 6-10 size and ability to create his own shot. Highlight-reel plays will be on display frequently in Piscataway.
8. Ryan Kalkbrenner
Creighton Bluejays | C | Senior
Former Georgetown star Patrick Ewing is the only player in Big East history to win the league's defensive player of the year award four times. Kalkbrenner could become the second after this year. You could even make a strong case Creighton's 7-1 center, who averaged 17.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 3.1 BPG last year, is the nation's top two-way force.
7. Wade Taylor IV
Texas A&M Aggies | G | Senior
He might not be the most efficient scorer in the country, but players don't come much more explosive offensively than Taylor IV. He had seven games of 30-plus points last season, including back-to-back efforts against Kentucky and Florida in the SEC tournament and a 41-point outing against Arkansas in January. Taylor will be aiming for his third consecutive first-team All-SEC selection.
6. Caleb Love
Arizona Wildcats | G | Senior
Last season, Love made 54% of his shots in transition, according to Synergy Sports. Despite a slow start from deep, he eventually connected on 37% of those shots in Pac-12 action. Love, who averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.4 APG for the Wildcats, is the catalyst for Tommy Lloyd in their first year in the Big 12.
5. Johni Broome
Auburn Tigers | F | Senior
Broome has been a dominant force at both ends of the floor throughout his college career, which also included a stop at Morehead State. A year ago, he expanded his game to add more consistent perimeter shooting. After attempting 36 3-pointers combined in his first three college seasons, he took 79 last season and made them at a 35% clip -- while still averaging 16.5 points, 8.5 boards and 2.2 blocks.
4. Hunter Dickinson
Kansas Jayhawks | C | Senior
Dickinson shot 57% inside the arc last season on his way to earning a place on the AP All-America second team. The 7-footer has returned for another chance to lead the No. 1 Jayhawks to their second national title in three years. The odds of this happening will increase if he can shake last year's 3-point shooting slump (35%) and return to his 2022-23 form (42% in his final year at Michigan).
3. Mark Sears
Alabama Crimson Tide | G | Senior
Sears had a breakout campaign last season in Tuscaloosa, going from 12.5 points on average in a complementary role to 21.5 points (43.6% from 3) as one of the best guards in college basketball. He somehow took his game to another level in the NCAA tournament, including notching 30 points in the first round against Charleston and 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in the second round against Grand Canyon.
2. RJ Davis
North Carolina | G | Senior
1. Cooper Flagg
Duke | G/F | Freshman
The Davis vs. Flagg debate
The battle-tested fifth-year senior or the uber-talented freshman? Proven college production and All-American accolades or potential ceiling and the projected No. 1 draft pick? Davis or Flagg, who is ESPN's No. 1 men's college basketball player?
Our formula to determine most of these player rankings wasn't overly complicated. But this one sparked a debate: One No. 1 vote for Davis, one No. 1 vote for Flagg.
On the one hand, Davis deserves to be the preseason national player of the year favorite. He was a first-team All-American. He has been to the national title game. He led North Carolina to a 1-seed last season. And he's likely going to put up bigger scoring numbers than Flagg -- and make a legitimate run at becoming the Tar Heels' all-time leading scorer. Without Armando Bacot providing balance down low for UNC this season, Davis might get those shots too.
Then there's Flagg: When Esquire asked LeBron James about the future of the United States men's national team, he pointed to the Duke freshman as a "big-time player" who would keep Team USA's gold medal streak going. The 6-foot-9 17-year-old looked like he deserved a spot on the U.S. team after a spectacular pre-Olympic scrimmage. In the preseason, he notched a casual 22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks in his collegiate debut against Division II school Lincoln (Pennsylvania) and 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists against Arizona State.
Flagg has limitless potential as one of the best prospects to enter college basketball in recent years, and he has been the projected No. 1 draft pick since the moment he reclassified from the class of 2025 to 2024. There's a world in which Flagg lives up to all the hype and produces a Carmelo Anthony-esque run, leading Duke to a national championship. It's within his range of outcomes.
There's nobody else in the country with that sort of ceiling.
As a result, Cooper Flagg enters the season as ESPN's No. 1 player in college basketball.
