2024-25 College Basketball Top 10 players
Instead of doing an All-American team, I'm going to pick the top 10 players in college basketball for the upcoming season. Then I'll pick an All-Freshman team, because no matter how hyped these young players are, I'm going to stick with the veterans coming back who have produced on the top 10.
Top 10 in college basketball.
1)G Mark Sears, Alabama. Sears is just on another level in college. Very few players at 6-1 can shoot 50.8% from the field and 43.6% from long range. That's why Alabama has a shot to win the whole thing.
2)C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton. Unlike Hunter Dickinson. Kalkbrenner changes things defensively at 7-1 and has much more agility. He's also never fouled out in a game. He can also score (17.8ppg) and will probably need to be more of a focal point offensively this season with Baylor Scheierman gone to the NBA.
3)G R.J. Davis, North Carolina. Davis has been in Chapel Hill forever. But he's an outstanding player, who averaged 21.2 points per game and shot 39.8% last season from three-point range.
4)G L.J. Cryer, Houston. Cryer is back as a tough defender and also averaged 15.5 points per game last season, while shooting 38.8% from long range. He'll need to take on an even bigger load this season with Jamal Shead gone to the NBA.
5)C Johni Broome, Auburn. Broome is now a senior and is Auburn's most consistent player, averaging 16.5 points, 2.2 blocks, and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 54.8% from the field (35.4% 3pt). The 6-10 big man should lead Auburn to at least an Elite Eight.
6)C Hunter Dickinson, Kansas. Don't like his defense, but this 7-1 big man averaged 17.2 points and 10.9 rebounds for a KU team that lacked a perimeter game. He's nearly impossible to stop down low and has a nice touch from the perimeter.
7)G Caleb Love, Arizona. Love was Pac-12 Player of the Year last season, while averaging 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals. The fifth-year senior would be ranked higher if he shot the ball better overall (41.3%) and from 3pt range (33.2%).
8)F Norchad Omier, Baylor. Omier transferred to Baylor from Miami. The 6-7 forward averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds with the Hurricanes and will provide a nice inside presence with the Beras playing small.
9)G Kadary Richmond, St. John's. Richmond is a transfer from Seton Hall who averaged 13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in the NIT. He should shine under Rick Pitino in his fifth season.
10)G Jaxson Robison, Kentucky. The 6-7 transfer from BYU should excel in in Lexington with more athletes, under former BYU coach Mark Pope.
Top 5 freshmen
1)F Cooper Flagg, Duke. The 6-9 diaper dandy will need to get used to more of a physical brand of basketball. Athletically, he's off the charts and should be strong on defense.
2)Ace Bailey, Rutgers. Another potentially generational player at 6-10 with perimeter skills. Freak athlete who can defend as well.
3)Dylan Harper, Rutgers. Another one of Ron Harper's kids. Dylan is a big-time scorer. Only concerns are his knees after having surgery in mid-June.
4)F Karter Knox, Arkansas. Kevin Knox's younger brother who can really defend at 6-6, 225. In John Calipari's system, he will thrive.
5)G Liam McNeeley, UConn. The 6-6 wing is Gradey Dick with a better basketball IQ. The five-star recommitted from Indiana to join Dan Hurley's two-time defending champs.
