It wasn’t long ago when Kris Jenkins sank the three-pointer that won Villanova the national title and secured a lifelong free supply of beer around the campus. But here we are again, ready to start another season of college basketball. Some of the biggest names from last season have graduated and/or turned pro, but so many stars are still going to see action. Let’s take a peek below at each of arguably the ten best players of the upcoming 2016-17 NCAA basketball season.
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Top Ten Best College Basketball Players in the Country
Ethan Happ (Wisconsin)
The departure of Frank Kaminsky left a big void upfront for Wisconsin but the Badgers plugged a bit of that hole with freshman Happ, who averaged 12.4 PPG and 7.9 in his freshman season An expected improvement from Happ in his sophomore campaign is a big reason why the Badgers are among the favorites to win the Big Ten.
Lonzo Ball (UCLA)
With his flashy playmaking and apt name, it’s easy to fall in love with Ball despite that awkward jump shot. Ranked No. 4 by ESPN 100, Ball arrives in UCLA with the Bruins hoping he’ll inject electricity to the underperforming program that failed to finish better than .500 last season.
Ivan Rabb (California)
Rabb could’ve followed former teammate Jaylen Brown to the NBA but instead decided to stay for at least one more year in California, where he’ll continue to hone the skills pro-hoops scouts have been long salivating about. Rabb ended last season with averages of 12.5 PPG and 8.6 RPG. With Brown and Tyrone Wallace gone, expect Rabb to finish with much better numbers this coming season.
Dillon Brooks (Oregon)
The Ducks are among the serious national title contenders and with Brooks spearheading the team. Brooks can do a bit of everything on the floor, as evidenced by his 2015-16 numbers of 16.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 3.1 APG, while shooting 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Grayson Allen (Duke)
The junior is going to play the leader of Duke team that comes with a load of fresh talents. He’s not going to be ranked high in many NBA mock drafts but he’s going to have an awesome year of college ball after averaging 21.6 PPG on 41.7 shooting percentage last year.
Monte Morris (Iowa State)
If the Cyclones were to make waves this season, they’re going to need Morris do a bit of everything on the floor. Morris certainly has the potential to do just that this season. After all, he put up 13.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.9 APG, while shooting 48.7% from the field in 2015-16 campaign. With Georges Niang gone, Morris is the de facto leader of Iowa State, which is one of the faves to take home the Big Ten title.
Jayson Tatum (Duke)
We pretty much know what Grayson Allen can bring to the table for Duke. With Tatum, however, Duke is expecting bigger things, considering the hype he has already generated even before he takes his first appearance at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The No. 3 recruit in ESPN 100 should give Duke’s frontcourt a versatile weapon who could stretch the floor with his reliable perimeter touch.
Markelle Fultz (Washington)
It’s been a while since Washington mattered on a national level, but Fultz arrival could propel the Huskies to their first National Tournament appearance since 2011. Fultz has a good size for a guard, great athleticism, and basketball sense that appear to be ahead of his peers. He’s going to be a must-watch player this season.
Josh Jackson (Kansas)
Bill Self may not express it outwardly, but he sure is excited to deploy freshman Josh Jackson on the floor and see the young man devastate opponents with his salivating combination of skill and attitude. With Frank Mason and Devonte’ Graham, Jackson’s presence arguable gives Kansas the best backcourt in the nation.
Harry Giles (Duke)
Tearing his ACL and MCL as a freshman in high school did not stop major programs across the nation from sending recruitment letters, including Duke, where he’ll play college ball. Furthermore, he’s projected to be the first pick overall in next year’s NBA Draft. At 6-10, Giles is already getting comparisons with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Chris Webber. Wow.
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