As the college basketball season kicks off, fans are eagerly awaiting to see which players will rise to the top and lead their teams to victory. While there are many talented athletes competing, some stand out above the rest and have caught the attention of analysts and coaches alike. Here are some of the top players in college basketball this season that are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Zion Williamson has been making waves since high school with his incredible athleticism and skills on the court. Recruited by Duke University, he has quickly become one of their most valuable players and is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. With his powerful dunks, quick footwork, and impressive defense, Williamson is expected to make a major impact in his team’s performance view this year.
Another player from Duke who is turning heads is R.J. Barrett. The Canadian sensation was ranked as one of the best high school recruits before joining Duke’s roster for this season. His scoring ability and all-around game have already made him a key player for Duke’s success this year. Barrett has shown great maturity on and off the court, making him not only a standout player but also a leader for his team.
From Kentucky comes forward P.J. Washington, who turned down offers from several NBA teams to return for another year at college level. The decision seems like it will pay off as Washington proved himself last season with strong performances in both offense and defense earning him SEC All-Freshman Team honors plus pre-season All-SEC First Team nomination by league coaches recently.
Heading over to Texas Tech University we find sophomore Jarrett Culver who showed great potential last year but now he’s set up for even better things averaging 13 points per game last season playing more as a secondary role but now should see more ball handling responsibilities given recent departures leaving Culver as their primary scoring option.
The Big Ten Conference so far reveals two names in the mix for top college basketball players this season. Firstly, Michigan guard Charles Matthews gained recognition last year for his exceptional defense yet will also be playing a pivotal role on the team’s offense. Secondly, Michigan State’s Joshua Langford returns looking to build on breakout performance last season when he recorded 11.7 points per game in just over 30 minutes each night.
The BIG EAST Conference reveals numerous standout players worth keeping an eye on including Marquette’s Markus Howard who featured on the All-BIG EAST Second Team after topping their conference scoring chart with a huge average of almost 20 points per match and being their thirteen times.
Amir Coffey from Minnesota makes our list averaging double figure throughout national championship tournament last March and is expected to continue producing good numbers this season whilst Texas A&M transfer Savion Flagg has been showing great stats during pre-season action including against NCAA current number one ranked Texas Tech but do watch out for Florida Gators’ Jalen Hudson who lit up scoreboards during March Madness tournament following strong forward, averaging more through December than he did November which sets him up nicely as one of prominent scorers nationally.
These are just some of the rising stars in college basketball this year that fans should definitely keep an eye on. With their impressive skills and determination, they are sure to make a major impact on their teams and ultimately shape the outcome of this exciting season. Make sure to tune in and witness these talented players in action as they compete at the highest level of college basketball.
