Top Players So Far
Top 10
10. Jack Gibbs, Davidson
How many guys can say they play on a 7-1 team who's only loss is on the road against North Carolina, while averaging over 25 PPG, almost 5 RPG, and over 4 APG, and shooting 54 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three and 83 percent from the line? If you guessed Jack Gibbs, you are correct. Gibbs may not be the most well known college basketball player in the world, but he is one of the best players in the country.
9. Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Wiltjer has had a down year so far percentage wise, as his three point and field goal percentages are down by a good bit. This may be due to the loss of his three talented guards, or due to taking more shots, but I think he is just going through a slump and will turn it around quickly. Wiltjer is taking a lot of shots this year, as the least he has taken in a game all year is 12, but I think he should be a little more selective, especially when Prezemek Karnowski comes back.
8. Georges Niang, Iowa State
Niang's counting stats haven't changed dramatically over the past few years, but his percentages have steadily improved. He is up to 52.9 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from three and 88.5 percent from the line this year. These are incredible stats, and Niang is the one of the top couple inside-out big men in the country (along with Wiltjer).
7. Grayson Allen, Duke
Grayson Allen broke out in the National Championship last year, and this year, he has become Duke's best player. Allen has an elite combination of scoring (21.8 PPG), athleticism (won the McDonald's All-American game dunk contest), and shooting (46.2 percent from three). Although Allen is already incredible on offense, he could improve his defense considerably.
6. Kris Dunn, Providence
Kris Dunn may be the most well-rounded player on the country (I would say second though to the #1 player on this list). If not the most well-rounded, Dunn is clearly second. He is a crafty and brave passer, a shifty and athletic scorer, a fantastic and quick defender and a good floor leader. Although Dunn could work on his 23.1 percent from three (I expect this number to improve quickly, as he shot 35.1 percent last year), and his turnover rate, Dunn is as close to the full package as you will see anywhere east of Michigan State this year.
5. Melo Trimble, Maryland
Melo Trimble is an excellent player, and what makes him excellent is his affinity for getting to the free throw line. His free throws are a bit down this year, and so is his scoring, but this is probably because he hasn't played as many minutes or felt the need to get to the line against poor competition. The thing that stands out for me is how well he has gotten to the line in their big wins. He was 13-18 from the line against Georgetown, and 14-15 from the line against Uconn. The biggest improvement for Trimble this year has been his transition into becoming a true point guard. Perhaps having better teammates helps, but I think his 2.3 more assists per game than last year while having an equal number of turnovers per game shows that he has grown as a basketball player.
4. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma star from the Bahamas has been lighting it up again this year, shooting 50% from three and 90% from the line. Hield is so fun to watch, an exciting blend of athleticism, shooting and swagger. He has become a great leader for the Sooners, and this is the best team they've had. Personally, I have them at number 2 in the country, as they have blowout wins over Villanova (who is underrated) and Wisconsin (a disappointing team, but still, they never seem to get blown out by anyone).
3. Jakob Poeltl, Utah
Poeltl has been absolutely incredible this year. He may be the most improved player in the country, over doubling his scoring percentage (9.1 PPG to 20.1 PPG), improving his rebounding to 9.8 RPG, and improving his field goal percentage to an almost jaw-dropping 69.8 percent! For a guy who shoots in such high volume, this is just ridiculous. Not to mention, Poeltl has become a better overall defender, improving his blocks, steals, and on-ball defense, while decreasing his fouls per game, which is huge for a big guy that previously struggled with foul trouble. Poeltl is projected to be the number 4 pick by nbadraft.net, but I don't think that anyone other than Ben Simmons should be drafted ahead of him, as Poeltl's game translates to the NBA very well, and surprisingly he is still raw.
2. Ben Simmons, LSU
I'm going to try to keep this one short, just because I know I could ramble on for paragraphs about the magnificence of Ben Simmons. Simmons has dominated so far this year, and is on his way to being the number one overall pick in the NBA draft. Simmons is the BEST rebounder in the country hands down (14.9 RPG). Simmons is the BEST passing big man in the country hands down (6.0 APG). Simmons is also the BEST combination of guard and big man skills in the country. How is he not the number one player? I guess you'll just have to read the next paragraph.
1. Denzel Valentine, MSU
Denzel Valentine is the most versatile player in the country. He is a consistent triple double threat in an age where college basketball never has any consistent triple double threats. He is an elite on ball defender in an age where the rules make it so hard to be an elite on ball defender. He is a star who carries a team full of mostly role players in an age where it is so much more difficult to carry a team. Valentine is the best player in the country as a senior in an the era of the one and done. This is what makes Valentine so special. Although his scoring per game isn't incredible, he is averaging 25 PPG in their 6 toughest games this year. Enough said.
Not Top 10 Players But Underrated
Wayne Selden, Jr. Kansas
Finally Wayne, Finally! This is what Bill Self and all KU fans are thinking this year. Selden, Jr. was highly rated out of high school, really highly rated, but struggled his first two years with the Jayhawks. Now, he has finally arrived. Selden's field goal percentage has risen almost 20 percent over the past year, despite taking more shots, and his three point percentage has rise 23 percent. Wayne Selden, Jr. is now a legitimate first team All-Big 12 player and arguably the best on one of the top teams in the country
John Brown, High Point and Lorenzo Cugini, High Point
Cugini is really on here for just one thing. His 62.2 three point percentag, tops in the country among qualified shooters. John Brown is the real star. Brown is second in the country according to sports reference, in player efficiency rating, which is used as the best stat to judge a players value in basketball today. Brown plays for High Point, and he's hoping his high point this year is an NCAA tournament upset.
Evan Bradds, Belmont
Evan Bradds is on here largely for one stat. No, it's not his 19.4 PPG, which is pretty good, his 8.1 RPG, or his 50% from three, albeit in not that many attempts. It's his 74.8% from the field, which is just unheard of. Bradds is just so efficient that any time he gets the ball, it seems okay for him to take a shot.
Egidijius Mockevicius, Evansville
You may not have heard of this guy, and you almost definitely cannot pronounce his name. However, he is the leading rebounder in the country, with 20 more defensive rebounds than anyone else (although Ben Simmons does top Mockevicius in RPG). The Lithuanian big man is averaging 17.8 PPG, 13.8 RPG and 2.9 BPG. I think you may be hearing a lot more about this guy the rest of the year.
Anthony Gill, Virginia
Gill is really a key player for Virginia. He came on against West Virginia to help the Cavaliers pull away. He may be their most important player, providing rebounding, great defense and scoring inside. His counting stats may not look great, but playing on a slow tempo Virginia offense takes away from those stats.
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier
Xavier has been a pleasant surprise this year, with wins over Missouri, USC, Dayton, Cincinnati and Michigan (on the road!). Xavier is also ranked 12th in the country and has not yet lost this year. Trevon Bluiett has been one of the big reasons why, leading them in scoring, and providing fantastic rebounding for a guard, with 7.9 RPG. Bluiett has also shot 45.5 percent from three on the year.
10. Jack Gibbs, Davidson
How many guys can say they play on a 7-1 team who's only loss is on the road against North Carolina, while averaging over 25 PPG, almost 5 RPG, and over 4 APG, and shooting 54 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three and 83 percent from the line? If you guessed Jack Gibbs, you are correct. Gibbs may not be the most well known college basketball player in the world, but he is one of the best players in the country.
9. Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Wiltjer has had a down year so far percentage wise, as his three point and field goal percentages are down by a good bit. This may be due to the loss of his three talented guards, or due to taking more shots, but I think he is just going through a slump and will turn it around quickly. Wiltjer is taking a lot of shots this year, as the least he has taken in a game all year is 12, but I think he should be a little more selective, especially when Prezemek Karnowski comes back.
8. Georges Niang, Iowa State
Niang's counting stats haven't changed dramatically over the past few years, but his percentages have steadily improved. He is up to 52.9 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from three and 88.5 percent from the line this year. These are incredible stats, and Niang is the one of the top couple inside-out big men in the country (along with Wiltjer).
7. Grayson Allen, Duke
Grayson Allen broke out in the National Championship last year, and this year, he has become Duke's best player. Allen has an elite combination of scoring (21.8 PPG), athleticism (won the McDonald's All-American game dunk contest), and shooting (46.2 percent from three). Although Allen is already incredible on offense, he could improve his defense considerably.
6. Kris Dunn, Providence
Kris Dunn may be the most well-rounded player on the country (I would say second though to the #1 player on this list). If not the most well-rounded, Dunn is clearly second. He is a crafty and brave passer, a shifty and athletic scorer, a fantastic and quick defender and a good floor leader. Although Dunn could work on his 23.1 percent from three (I expect this number to improve quickly, as he shot 35.1 percent last year), and his turnover rate, Dunn is as close to the full package as you will see anywhere east of Michigan State this year.
5. Melo Trimble, Maryland
Melo Trimble is an excellent player, and what makes him excellent is his affinity for getting to the free throw line. His free throws are a bit down this year, and so is his scoring, but this is probably because he hasn't played as many minutes or felt the need to get to the line against poor competition. The thing that stands out for me is how well he has gotten to the line in their big wins. He was 13-18 from the line against Georgetown, and 14-15 from the line against Uconn. The biggest improvement for Trimble this year has been his transition into becoming a true point guard. Perhaps having better teammates helps, but I think his 2.3 more assists per game than last year while having an equal number of turnovers per game shows that he has grown as a basketball player.
4. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma star from the Bahamas has been lighting it up again this year, shooting 50% from three and 90% from the line. Hield is so fun to watch, an exciting blend of athleticism, shooting and swagger. He has become a great leader for the Sooners, and this is the best team they've had. Personally, I have them at number 2 in the country, as they have blowout wins over Villanova (who is underrated) and Wisconsin (a disappointing team, but still, they never seem to get blown out by anyone).
3. Jakob Poeltl, Utah
Poeltl has been absolutely incredible this year. He may be the most improved player in the country, over doubling his scoring percentage (9.1 PPG to 20.1 PPG), improving his rebounding to 9.8 RPG, and improving his field goal percentage to an almost jaw-dropping 69.8 percent! For a guy who shoots in such high volume, this is just ridiculous. Not to mention, Poeltl has become a better overall defender, improving his blocks, steals, and on-ball defense, while decreasing his fouls per game, which is huge for a big guy that previously struggled with foul trouble. Poeltl is projected to be the number 4 pick by nbadraft.net, but I don't think that anyone other than Ben Simmons should be drafted ahead of him, as Poeltl's game translates to the NBA very well, and surprisingly he is still raw.
2. Ben Simmons, LSU
I'm going to try to keep this one short, just because I know I could ramble on for paragraphs about the magnificence of Ben Simmons. Simmons has dominated so far this year, and is on his way to being the number one overall pick in the NBA draft. Simmons is the BEST rebounder in the country hands down (14.9 RPG). Simmons is the BEST passing big man in the country hands down (6.0 APG). Simmons is also the BEST combination of guard and big man skills in the country. How is he not the number one player? I guess you'll just have to read the next paragraph.
1. Denzel Valentine, MSU
Denzel Valentine is the most versatile player in the country. He is a consistent triple double threat in an age where college basketball never has any consistent triple double threats. He is an elite on ball defender in an age where the rules make it so hard to be an elite on ball defender. He is a star who carries a team full of mostly role players in an age where it is so much more difficult to carry a team. Valentine is the best player in the country as a senior in an the era of the one and done. This is what makes Valentine so special. Although his scoring per game isn't incredible, he is averaging 25 PPG in their 6 toughest games this year. Enough said.
Not Top 10 Players But Underrated
Wayne Selden, Jr. Kansas
Finally Wayne, Finally! This is what Bill Self and all KU fans are thinking this year. Selden, Jr. was highly rated out of high school, really highly rated, but struggled his first two years with the Jayhawks. Now, he has finally arrived. Selden's field goal percentage has risen almost 20 percent over the past year, despite taking more shots, and his three point percentage has rise 23 percent. Wayne Selden, Jr. is now a legitimate first team All-Big 12 player and arguably the best on one of the top teams in the country
John Brown, High Point and Lorenzo Cugini, High Point
Cugini is really on here for just one thing. His 62.2 three point percentag, tops in the country among qualified shooters. John Brown is the real star. Brown is second in the country according to sports reference, in player efficiency rating, which is used as the best stat to judge a players value in basketball today. Brown plays for High Point, and he's hoping his high point this year is an NCAA tournament upset.
Evan Bradds, Belmont
Evan Bradds is on here largely for one stat. No, it's not his 19.4 PPG, which is pretty good, his 8.1 RPG, or his 50% from three, albeit in not that many attempts. It's his 74.8% from the field, which is just unheard of. Bradds is just so efficient that any time he gets the ball, it seems okay for him to take a shot.
Egidijius Mockevicius, Evansville
You may not have heard of this guy, and you almost definitely cannot pronounce his name. However, he is the leading rebounder in the country, with 20 more defensive rebounds than anyone else (although Ben Simmons does top Mockevicius in RPG). The Lithuanian big man is averaging 17.8 PPG, 13.8 RPG and 2.9 BPG. I think you may be hearing a lot more about this guy the rest of the year.
Anthony Gill, Virginia
Gill is really a key player for Virginia. He came on against West Virginia to help the Cavaliers pull away. He may be their most important player, providing rebounding, great defense and scoring inside. His counting stats may not look great, but playing on a slow tempo Virginia offense takes away from those stats.
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier
Xavier has been a pleasant surprise this year, with wins over Missouri, USC, Dayton, Cincinnati and Michigan (on the road!). Xavier is also ranked 12th in the country and has not yet lost this year. Trevon Bluiett has been one of the big reasons why, leading them in scoring, and providing fantastic rebounding for a guard, with 7.9 RPG. Bluiett has also shot 45.5 percent from three on the year.
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