-Jim Root, Ky McKeon, Matt Cox

First - the ranking process: Matt, Ky, and Jim each assembled their own top 125 list; then, using a HIGHLY scientific scoring system (rank of 1 = 125 points, 2 = 124 points, ..., 125 = 1 point), we consolidated our rankings into the master list of 100 (plus honorable mentions) that you see below. 

Parameters for ranking were simple: we tried to guess who would be the best players in college hoops in 2020-21. No NBA implications, no "he'll be amazing in two years" - one season only. Some players we were spot on, while some players caused great turmoil amidst the Weave (and check out our most recent podcast episode where we argued about many of those).  Debates were fierce and feelings were hurt - we included who was high and who was low so that you can direct your own fury appropriately.  

If that intro sounds familiar, then you are a 3MW superfan and recognize that it’s basically identical to last year’s! As they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…

Enough intro - let’s get to 3MW's third annual Top 100 Player Rankings:

Honorable Mention (in order, 125-101)

125 (tie). Hasahn French, F/C, Sr., Saint Louis
125 (tie). Isaac Likekele, G, Jr., Oklahoma State
124. Jordan Brown, F/C, R So., Arizona
123. Jayden Gardner, F, Jr., East Carolina
122. Quade Green, G, Sr., Washington
121. Duane Washington Jr., G, Jr., Ohio State
120. Wynston Tabbs, G, R So., Boston College***
119. Romello White, C, R Sr., Mississippi
118. Justin Moore, G, So., Villanova
117. Keon Johnson, G, Fr., Tennessee
116. DeJon Jarreau, G, R Sr., Houston
115. Brady Manek, F, Sr., Oklahoma
114. Justin Champagnie, F, So., Pitt
113. D.J. Steward, G, Fr., Duke
112. Jermaine Samuels, G/F, Sr., Villanova
111. Joe Girard III, G, So., Syracuse
110. Keith Williams, G/F, Sr., Cincinnat
109. MJ Walker, G, Sr., Florida State
108. Chris Duarte, G, Sr., Oregon
107. Jeremy Roach, G, Fr., Duke
106. Jordan Goodwin, G, Sr., Saint Louis
105. Michael Devoe, G, Jr., Georgia Tech
104. Bryce Aiken, G, R Sr., Seton Hall***
103. Grant Golden, C, Sr., Richmond
102. Miles McBride, G, So., West Virginia
101. Jalen Pickett, G, Jr., Siena

*** - would likely have ranked higher if not for injury concerns

100. Timmy Allen, F

Mr. Irrelevant in the Weave’s annual player rankings, the Utes’ two-way wing destroyer caught a case of the sophomore slumps last year. When healthy and locked in, Allen’s one of the best the Pac-12 has to offer but recapturing that rookie season efficiency and consistency will make all the difference.

99. Devontae Shuler, G

Shuler is the new alpha in Oxford, taking over for the departed Breein Tyree. He looks to lead Ole Miss to a finish worthy of their collective talent, which is of course a spot in the upper half of the SEC standings and an NCAA Tournament bid.

98. Armando Bacot, F/C

The Robin to Garrison Brooks’ Batman, Bacot had an up-and-down year for the struggling Heels as he battled an ankle injury at times. Smart money is on the former 5-star recruit helping lead an impressive Roy Williams frontcourt, though he will face competition for minutes from vaunted newcomers Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler.

97. Neemias Queta, C

Queta scuffled in his sophomore year, never fulling getting healthy from a preseason knee injury, but the Portuguese Protector can be one of the best shot-swatters in the country when healthy. Without Sam Merrill, the Aggies will hope to see his offensive game expand, as well.

96. Moses Moody, G

The lone representative for an Arkansas squad we think is going to be very good this season, Moody will be counted on to pick up the scoring slack Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones left behind. A top 50 recruit, Moody has all the tools to lead the Hogs back to the Big Dance and pick up All-SEC honors.

95. Bryce Hamilton, G

Hamilton ingested some sort of magic herb for conference play last year (21.1 PPG, 53.4% 2FG%), more than doubling his non-conference scoring output (9.6 PPG, 39.3% 2FG%) while helping lead a surprising Rebellion in the MWC standings. With a potent running mate this year in David Jenkins Jr., Hamilton and the Runnin’ Rebels could soar even higher in Coach TJ Otzelberger’s second season in charge.

94. Isaiah Miller, G

This man’s running out of room in his trophy case. Two SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and one overall Player of the Year sit atop Miller’s mantle. This Tasmanian Devil-type speedster ignites UNC Greensboro’s relentless pressure on defense, while doubling as an unstoppable slasher on offense.

93. John Petty, G

Petty has made a name for himself as one of the best outside shooters in college basketball. For his career, the 6’5” wing is a scorching 38.6% on 606 attempts.

92. Jaden Shackelford, G

Alabama’s second-leading scorer a year ago looks to ascend into primary go-to option for the Tide following Kira Lewis’s departure. Shackeflord is an “efficient gunner” who takes and makes a very high volume of triples.

91. John Fulkerson, F

The only Tennessee Vol to earn All-Conference honors last season is still perhaps underrated and disrespected by this ranking. Fulkerson may not be flashy or overly athletic, but he does a little bit of everything on the floor, makes winning plays, and hustles his ass off.

90. AJ Green, G

I was a little shocked at the collective disrespect sent AJ Green’s way by my 3MW colleagues. Green had a terrific 2019-20 campaign, earning MVC Player of the Year honors while leading the Purple Panthers to a top-50 KenPom ranking and an outright conference title. A shocking MVC Tournament dismantling at the hands of Drake may have lowered his value, though.

89. Davion Mitchell, G

To the victor goes the spoils and to the Sic ‘Em faithful out there, this list is your reward.  Mitchell marks the first of four Bears featured on the Weave’s top-100 countdown, a steadying engine behind last season’s surge. A fierce defender and durable contributor, no Bear clocked more minutes than Mitchell did a year ago. The former Auburn defector shields defensive attention away from Butler and the myriad of other weapons littered on this roster. Opportunistic scorer, complementary creator and lockdown defender will once again be his day-to-day responsibilities.

88. Ron Harper Jr., F

As the physical manifestation of Steve Pikiell’s playing style, Harper’s brutish frame and defensive prowess helped the Scarlet Knights charge back into college basketball relevancy. He’ll play a huge role in whether Rutgers is able to run it back on that success with a similar cast of characters.

87. Jordan Bohannon, G

Bohannon’s lights-out shooting and steady presence at point guard should be a massive boost to an Iowa squad with high hopes this year - so long as he’s healthy. He’s still working his way back from a second hip surgery that forced him to take a medical redshirt last year, and while he’s reportedly making solid progress, it’s no certainty he returns to his old form.

86. Mark Vital, F

6’5 + bad shooter = top-100 player? That calculus defies logic, but Mr. Vital is true to his name is basically every other facet of the game. He may soon realize football is his true calling, but for now, Vital will focus on wreaking havoc on the offensive glass and swallowing up guards, wings and forwards alike as a defensive chameleon.

85. Matt Mitchell, F

Arguably the second-best player on a team due for a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, Mitchell does it all: he shoots, he defends, he rebounds, he creates. Without Malachi Flynn to lead them, the Aztecs will certainly take a step back, but how long that step is depends largely on Mitchell’s Swiss Army knife game.

84. Scottie Lewis, G

Lewis’s first season in college wasn’t exactly what we’d thought it’d be. The high-ranked 6’5” wing put up excellent shooting and defensive numbers but was one of the lowest used players on the Gator roster. This season, Lewis will be counted on to be a primary option offensively while providing that same high-level defense he did as a freshman.

83. Geo Baker, G

The “head of the Rutgers snake,” if you will, Baker is an emotional leader and big shot maker. The Scarlet Knights played admirably during his bout with an injury last year (missed three games, had a minutes limit for a few weeks after), but their true ceiling involves having their senior playmaker running the show and burying daggers late in games.

82. Bryce Thompson, G

Despite being a 5-star blue-chipper in a blue blood destination, Thompson seems to be flying under the radar this season. Devon Dotson’s exodus parts the seas for a featured role on what should be another top-10 Jayhawk team. That said, depth is plentiful in the KU backcourt, so nothing is guaranteed in a place where Big-12 title banners are used as napkins – he’ll have to prove his worth from day 1 to make this top-100 prediction come to fruition.

81. Joe Wieskamp, G/F

Wieskamp had a bit of a sophomore slump from beyond the arc, dropping from 42.4% as a freshman to 34.7%. His presence still impacts the game by drawing foes’ defensive attention, but for him (and Iowa) to reach his true potential, he needs to rediscover that scorching clip from his first campaign.

80. Micah Potter, F/C

Potter made a massive impact for Wisconsin after becoming eligible midseason last year, ranking 2nd in the Big Ten by shooting 46.9% from downtown and adding an offensive spark for a team that desperately needed it. His minutes load never quite rose to where most expected, but now in the lineup from the jump, he could make an even larger impact for the experienced Badgers.

79. Caleb Mills, G

Though he came off the bench in 2019-20, Mills led the Cougars in scoring and picked up All-AAC honors in his redshirt freshman year. Mills is instant offense when he’s on the floor and gives the defensive-minded Coogs real firepower on the scoring end of the ball.

78. Samuell Williamson, G/F

Williamson was mostly buried behind a veteran lineup last year, but with a ton of shots now available for the Cardinals, it’s easy to project the talented sophomore as a major breakout candidate. He lags behind David Johnson in that regard, but Williamson was actually the more highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. Expect him to blossom with more responsibility for Chris Mack’s club.

77. Tyon Grant-Foster, G/F

Jay Scrubb was the initial JUCO flavor of the month – that is, until he opted to go pro early this year. By default, Grant-Foster becomes the can’t-miss JUCO prospect to watch this season. Bill Self gushes about TGF’s versatility, hinting that his new toy will be used in a variety of ways on both ends.

76. Fatts Russell, G

‘Freaky fast Fatts’ found himself a jumpshot last year and oh what a revelation it was. After flirting with historically putrid 3-point shooting splits in 2019, Fatts canned 38% from the land of plenty in conference play last year. His afterburners are lethal in the open floor, precisely why the newfound long-range jumper is a potent addition to his offensive arsenal.

75. D’Mitrik Trice, G

Every notable Badgers squad has a dependable floor leader who can make big shots, and this year’s version is no exception. Trice is a savvy fifth-year senior with 77 career starts under his belt, and his ability to control the pace will be crucial for a patient Wisconsin squad.

74. Nimari Burnett, G

This fringe 5-star freshman – the second in as many seasons for Mr. Beard – will face a daunting task from the get-go. The departures of Jahmi’us Ramsey and Davide Moretti leave gaping holes in the ‘creator’ and ‘shot-maker’ arenas, but Burnett is well-trained in both domains.

73. Chris Lykes, G

The diminutive Lykes has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, most recently suffering a freak laceration below his eye late in the 2020 season, but when he’s on the court, he’s one of the best pick-and-roll scorers in the country. His electric agility and quick release make him a joy to watch, and he’s underrated as a defender thanks to his on-ball pressure. He’ll hope to lead the Hurricanes back to the NCAA Tournament as a senior after last making it as a freshman.

72. Paul Scruggs, G

Mr. Consistent on this list, Scruggs has been ranked #72 in the 3MW Top 100 for two straight seasons. With Naji Marshall’s graduation, Xavier will rely heavily on the senior lead guard - a career year may need to be in the cards to boost the Muskies back to the NCAA Tournament.

71. Moussa Cisse, C

One of the biggest late dominoes to fall in the recruiting realm, Cisse opted to reclass to the class of 2020 and commit to Penny and the Memphis Tigers. The #10 ranked recruit should be a monster shot blocker and intimidating low-block presence for a Tiger squad hungry for an AAC title.

70. Olivier Sarr, C

Sarr is still waiting on a waiver from the NCAA, and while it’s unclear why he’d get one, he wouldn’t be the first shocking recipient of immediate eligibility this offseason. If so, he solves a lot of Kentucky’s issues in the paint, providing an interior scorer and rebounder to a Big Blue squad that is as green as its ever been.

69. Terrence Shannon Jr., G/F

Shannon’s no sucker for flash and pizazz, but that’s just how his head coach likes it. Chris Beard has an uncanny ability to find diamonds in the rough and Shannon appears to be his latest find. The gritty lefty is a true jack-of-all-trades weapon and should emerge as an indispensable piece of the Red Raiders’ puzzle this year.

68. Franz Wagner, G/F

Wagner got off to a slow start last year thanks to an injury in the preseason, but his potential was on full display while averaging 15.9 PPG over the season’s final seven games. Without Zavier Simpson, he should get more chances to make plays with the ball in his hands, and Michigan’s ceiling is highly dependent on the German sophomore’s progress in that regard.

67. DeAndre Williams, F

While not technically eligible for the 2020-21 season as of this publication date, it seems the NCAA is being very lenient with waivers given the current environment. If able to play, Williams will be arguably Memphis’s best player, leading scorer, and leading rebounder despite coming over from the “lowly” Evansville Aces. He leads a stacked Tiger roster that should be on the road towards an NCAA Tourney bid.

66. Cameron Krutwig, C

Quite possibly the best passing big man in the country, Krutwig is the offensive fulcrum for a Ramblers squad that could evoke memories of the 2018 squad that crashed the big boys’ Final Four party - complete with the big lefty dominating the paint. It may seem like he’s been around forever, and he’s continued to get better throughout the years.

65. Tre Mitchell, F

Few fanbases salivate over a player like the Minutemen fanatics take to Tre Mitchell – and to be honest, I don’t blame them. Mitchell is a futuristic big blossoming before our eyes, already displaying a seasoned shooting stroke and innate passing prowess. The following statement is a re-raise of the UMass hype narrative: Shades of a young Nikola Jokic shine through in Mitchell’s game.

64. Aamir Simms, F

A sneaky candidate to rise up the ACC standings, Clemson returns a ton of contributors from last year’s squad, and Simms is the most vital piece. A tremendous blend of versatility who can put the ball on the floor, battle in the paint, or step out from deep, Simms has steadily become Clemson’s go-to guy. There aren’t many players in the country who are 240+ pounds, 40% from beyond the arc, and led their team in assists.

63. Terry Taylor, F

For our money, the nation’s best true mid-major player hails from Clarksville, TN, where Taylor plies his double-double trade. Along with super sophomore teammate Jordyn Adams, Taylor is aiming to force Austin Peay into the basketball zeitgeist next spring, where the Governors could shock a few high-major opponents on a magical March run.

62. Sharife Cooper, G

Cooper will be given as much responsibility as he can handle in his inaugural season following the graduation of Samir Doughty and J’Von McCormick. He’s one of the main reasons you shouldn’t count Auburn out of the SEC title picture just yet.

61. Wendell Moore, G/F

A Jekyll-and-Hyde freshman season left Moore with little choice but to return to college, and he’ll hope to make a sophomore leap under Coach K while being surrounded by an incredibly deep roster. He’s a big, burly defender who would truly blossom if his three-point shooting (21.1%) ever caught up to his free throw shooting (80.6%).

60. Colbey Ross, G

The best non-Gonzaga player in the WCC, Ross has given foes nightmares for three straight years thanks to his phenomenal passing instincts (ranked 21st, 6th, and 8th nationally in assist rate) and scoring prowess. We’re nervous about getting too excited about a Lorenzo Romar squad, but Ross and teammate Kessler Edwards have the goods to send Willie the Wave crashing through TV sets with a shocking upset of the Zags.

59. Will Richardson, G

Payton Pritchard was the perpetual point of the Ducks’ Flying V for what felt like forever. His overdue departure is Will Richardson’s cue to move into position. The smooth lefty plays at his pace, but he’s a master of deception. Richardson honed his craft for two years using Pritchard as a buffer, but now he’ll be the marked man in Eugene.

58. Kendric Davis, G

Davis thrived with a change in scenery following his transfer from TCU. He’ll be the catalyst of what should be a very potent Pony offense in 2020-21.

57. Joey Hauser, F

Out of high school, Joey was actually the more highly-touted Hauser brother, and he now heads to a Sparty squad that lost its two clear leaders in Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. There’s plenty of room for Hauser’s versatile offensive game to make a big impact - provided he’s able to satisfy Tom Izzo’s rigorous defensive demands, as well.

56. Kellan Grady, G

Ahhh, a rare return visitor to the Weave’s prestigious top-100 shortlist. It seems like Grady’s been on the cusp of a breakout for years now, but he’s patiently waited his turn. He’ll get that chance and then some this year – no Jon Axel Gudmundsson leaves a lot on Grady’s plate, but is the Wildcats’ sharpshooter up to the task? If his stat sheets from the last six weeks of the 2020 season are any indication, being BMOC should be a walk in the park.

55. Nate Reuvers, F/C

There was plenty of debate among the Weavers about who the best Badger is, but Ky’s bullishness on Reuvers slotted the two-way big man atop the group. He’s an outstanding defender, first and foremost, but he has always struggled to find consistency on offense. If he does, look out - Wisconsin could threaten to make another Final Four run.

54. Charles Bassey, C

Injury cut Bassey’s 2019-20 season short after the big man posted impressive scoring and rebounding numbers. When healthy, Bassey is hands-down the best player in C-USA and one of the best big men in the country. How did Western Kentucky land the #6 prospect in the class of 2018 you ask? That’s a question for Sticky Ricky Stansbury.

53. Isaiah Livers, F

Livers has always been a terrifying outside shooter (40% for his career), but his true importance to the Wolverines showed clearly last year as he struggled with a hamstring injury, limiting him to just 21 games. Michigan started B1G play 4-7 while Livers struggled to get right, and his return was a big part of Juwan Howard’s bunch clawing to a 10-10 finish when all was said and done.

52. David Duke, G

With Alpha Diallo’s graduation, Duke will be given the keys to the Providence offense. He’s a sure-handed, heady point guard who connected on 42% of his 3PA last season and played tough on-ball defense for the best defensive team in the Big East.

51. Josh Christopher, G

This walking bucket will walk right into the thick of an offensive inferno. A scintillating scorer and social media savant, the limelight will be shining bright on ‘Jay Gup’ this year. Christopher will need to play nice alongside his trigger-happy backcourt mates (cc: Alonzo Verge), but in Hurley’s run-and-gun offense, shots are in high supply.

50. Trendon Watford, F

The sky is the limit for the former top 20 recruit and SEC All-Freshman Team member. Watford is a five-tool offensive player with a vast skill set - #50 could be far too low when all is said and done this season.

49. Ochai Agbaji, G

Agbaji’s kneejerk start to his collegiate career panned out beautifully in 2019. An injury crisis forced Bill Self to tug the redshirt off Agbaji’s back, a move that made the HOF coach look foolish for keeping him in the bullpen originally. Agbaji’s sophomore season was nothing to scoff at – yet, it went largely unnoticed behind the Dotson and Doke show. Now an upperclassman, Agbaji has taken his licks and paid his dues, qualifying him as bonafide breakout candidate in 2021.

48. Derek Culver, F

Thing #2 in the Mountaineers’ monstrous frontline, Culver’s a force to be reckoned with in and around the paint area. Sloppy finishing and shaky free-throw shooting deflated his offensive impact last year, but he’s still a hungry hungry hippo on the boards.

47. Jose Alvarado, G

Alvarado and backcourt mate Michael Devoe (an Honorable Mention player in these rankings) are the primary reasons for Georgia Tech fans banking on this being the best Yellow Jacket team since - *checks notes* - Paul Hewitt was around? That can’t be right, can it? Indeed, it has been a decade since GT made the NCAA Tournament, but Alvarado’s tremendous two-way play in the backcourt could help end that disappointing drought.

46. David Johnson, G

Johnson got off to a slow start as a freshman thanks to a shoulder injury that derailed his preseason, but he flashed legitimate star potential when he torched Duke for 19 points at Cameron Indoor in mid-January. He remained inconsistent from that point forward, but he has the size, vision, and athleticism to explode as a sophomore.

45. Kihei Clark, G

Clark made some absolutely massive shots for the Cavaliers last season, and that was all the more impressive given the fact that he barely got to leave the court in ACC play. He’s a great passer and pesky defender, and he may benefit from the infusion of offensive weapons like Sam Hauser and Jabri Abdur-Rahim.

44. DJ Carton, G

Immediately eligible following a transfer from Ohio State, Carton looks to live up to his recruiting hype after a year in which he struggled to stay on the floor due to personal reasons. Rest assured Golden Eagle fans, the former top 40 recruit is more than capable of easing the pain of losing Markus Howard.

43. Greg Brown, F

Meet the most recent output of the Shaka Smart big man assembly line. Myles Turner > Jarrett Allen > Mo Bamba > Jaxson Hayes > Greg Brown? This is the holy grail of forward lineages and Brown’s pedigree is worthy of successorship.

42. Mitchell Ballock, G

Mitchell “The Rainmaker” Ballock (unofficial nickname) is a career 40.7% on 562 three-point attempts. He'll look to feast off spot-up chances created by the superlative Marcus Zegarowski.

41. Ja’Vonte Smart, G

Few players in the country played more minutes than Smart last season, a bully of a lead guard who uses his strength to barrel downhill into his unsuspecting opponents. In 2020-21, Smart will look to solidify his alpha status for an LSU team trying to keep pace with Kentucky and Tennessee.

40. Yves Pons, G/F

The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year enjoyed a career renaissance after two uneventful collegiate seasons. With his return to Tennessee, the Vols are on the shortlist of NCAA Championship contenders.

39. Matthew Hurt, F

A smooth-shooting sophomore, Hurt was a bit of a surprise returner after being a celebrated Duke recruit. He’s reportedly added a significant bit of weight this offseason, further enabling him to battle in the paint while hopefully retaining his silky perimeter touch.

38. Sandro Mamukelashvili, F

The oft-overlooked Mamu was hidden in the giant shadow of Myles Powell and limited by injury last season. This year, he looks to make a name for himself in the Big East and lead the Pirates to a surprise run to the top of the conference standings.

37. Jaden Springer, G

The highest ranked Vol on our list is also the youngest and looks poised to join a starting five of proven college players. A top 15 prospect and McDonald’s All-American, Springer brings freak athleticism to a loaded roster.

36. McKinley Wright IV, G

A round of applause to an esteemed three-year member of the Weave’s exclusive top-100 club. This nails-tough maestro is the quintessential floor general, commanding his Buffs’ with unabashed confidence on both sides of the ball. Sure, he’s never leap-frogged into ‘superstardom’ – but the Buffs don’t win 44 games the last two years without his services.

35. Jalen Suggs, G

The best recruit in Gonzaga history, Suggs brings an impressive blend of athleticism and competitive mean streak to Spokane. He has the luxury of joining a team with several other All-American candidates, allowing him to ease into his sizable expectations, but he could be the key to vaulting the Zags to their first-ever national championship.

34. Chris Smith, F

The Pac-12’s most improved player hit the nitrous button in league play, fueling the Bruins’ late season 180. Smith’s nimble feet and tight handle are key assets in his toolbox, as is a quietly maturing jump shot. For a Conference of Champions banner to return to Westwood, a repeat of last year’s performance is in order.

33. Ziaire Williams, F

This is your warning: make a habit of dotting the extra ‘i’ now. Palo Alto is usually a destination for tech gurus, not 5-star hoopers, but this name will be on repeat by season’s end. Hailing from the famed Sierra Canyon powerhouse, the springy Williams is gushing potential. He’ll assume the mantle of Tyrell Terry, Stanford’s freshman phenom last year, albeit in a slightly different role.

32. Macio Teague, G

Teague got bored running circles around Big South defenders, so he figured ‘why not do that against the Big-12?’ Turns out, that’s all there was to it. Teague does a little bit of everything, but his knack for shot-making routinely sticks daggers in the heart of Big-12 adversaries. Often forgotten as simply another cog in the Baylor machine, Teague would be a star anywhere else but Waco.

31. Caleb Love, G

Following Cole Anthony and Coby White, Love is the next in line of UNC’s (likely) one-and-done dynamic scoring guards. So long as Love avoids Anthony’s injury bug, his powerful frame and springy vertical abilities should make him an immediate star in Chapel Hill.

30. Marcus Carr, G

Following his sit-out year after transferring from Pitt, Carr burst onto the national scene with a 35-point demolition of undefeated Ohio State in mid-December and never looked back. The Gophers scuffled late in a few Big Ten games, but with a devastating scorer and creator in the backcourt in Carr, Minnesota will be a tough out every single night.

29. Aaron Henry, G

Henry has lived comfortably as the second perimeter banana alongside Cassius Winston for two years, but the seemingly-ambidextrous scorer and stout defender now rises into a much more prominent role as a junior. Rocket Watts and a healthy Joshua Langford could share the burden, but Henry’s star turn will be one to keep an eye on in East Lansing.

28. Joel Ayayi, G

We affectionately call him Ayayayayayi, and Joel delivered on our hype machine last year, emerging into an efficiency monster and trusted floor leader for a Zags team with multiple perimeter options. Perhaps this is too high for someone whose usage rate may not exceed 20%, but his ability to step up in massive moments was obvious - and necessary - in the WCC Tournament to close the year.

27. Remy Martin, G

It seems like only yesterday Martin was sneaking up on unsuspecting defenses as a kerosene super-sub. He’s been promoted two times over since then, now with a year of being ‘the guy’ under his belt. Bobby Hurley stacked the deck around him this summer, which begs the question – can the Remy boyz live up to the hype?

26. Terrence Clarke, G

BJ Boston’s partner in crime is yet another top ten prospect and McDonald’s All-American for Calipari’s ever-growing collection. Clarke will look to wreak havoc in the open floor, destroy rims, and lock down opposing wings in his first and perhaps only collegiate season.

25. Oscar da Silva, F

True to his school’s reputation, the German native boasts one of the highest basketball IQs in the country. Da Silva’s smarts unlock an unbounded versatility on both ends of the floor. He’s the fulcrum of Stanford’s stymying defense and a malleable trigger-man on offense.

24. Trevion Williams, C

One of the better post scorers in the country, Williams should truly get unleashed this year with the departure of Matt Haarms, his chief rival for minutes in the Boilermaker frontcourt. His defensive mobility will be tested, but his one-on-one scoring and ever-evolving passing vision make him an outstanding offensive centerpiece for Matt Painter.

23. Jay Huff, F/C

Huff has scratched at his sky-high potential on both ends of the court so far in his career (remember his 10-block game against Duke? Or that he ranked 27th in the entire country in 2P% last year?), but this is the year he fully delivers on that promise. His perimeter touch and ability to pump-and-go from the beyond the arc make him a nightmare for big man defenders, while his shot-blocking and ever-improving positioning make him highly impactful on defense, as well.

22. Sam Hauser, F

Poison, meet antidote. Virginia was plagued by horrendous perimeter shooting last year, but Hauser’s mega-elite stroke should alleviate many of those concerns on its own. After sitting out a year and learning Tony Bennett’s system, he could be in line for an ACC outburst in Charlottesville.

21. Corey Kispert, G/F

A powerful wing and pure shooter, Kispert is the senior leader for a Gonzaga team with dizzying upside. He’s continued to evolve as a strong stopper against opposing wings and an off-the-dribble threat, and he could leave Spokane as one of the winningest players in the entire sport when all is said and done.

20. Scottie Barnes, G/F

The latest of Leonard Hamilton’s factory-produced elite multi-positional defenders, Barnes also sports a tantalizing offensive game that may allow him to play point forward in stretches this year. He was the second star next to Cade Cunningham in high school, but he could emerge into the Seminoles’ All-American candidate during his rookie campaign.

19. Drew Timme, F

Timme, aka Filip Petrusev 2.0, should become the new face of the Gonzaga offense this year, especially if Few continues to feed him in a high-low system with shooters all over the court. Timme is a skilled scorer on the block and an intimidating defender, and his counting stats should reflect this “highest ranking of the Zags” slot.

18. Jalen Johnson, F

It’s hard not to reserve a top-shelf spot for Duke’s highest-rated freshman, even if Johnson isn’t ranked in the same stratosphere as Vernon Carey, R.J. Barrett/Zion Williamson, or Marvin Bagley. Johnson is an incredibly talented and versatile forward who was the #4 recruit as recently as one year ago before a tumultuous senior season in which he changed high schools mid-year knocked him down a peg. Don’t be fooled, though - Johnson is a beast.

17. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F

JRE’s decision to skip the NBA Draft and return to Villanova is one of many reasons the Cats sit at #2 in our preseason rankings. With his ability to shoot, post, and put the ball on the floor, Robinson-Earl is a matchup nightmare for opposing Big East forwards.

16. Oscar Tshiebwe, F

The second Oscar in our countdown, this brick eater hauled in 19% of his team’s misses while on the floor (the highest rate in America). Still scratching the surface of his terrifying potential, Tshiebwe epitomizes West Virginia’s brand of bully ball and returns as the main guardian in the Huggy Bear galaxy.

15. Kofi Cockburn, C

The towering Jamaican proved to be a worthy anchor to Brad Underwood’s revamped defense last season, and his burgeoning understanding of the scheme should only make him more dangerous. His offensive game is still a little raw, but he’s a monster on the glass and a physical finisher inside.

14. Jalen Crutcher, G

Drowned out by Obi Toppin’s windmills 360s, clutch buckets were Crutcher’s only avenue to the national spotlight last year. The spread of last year’s ‘Peanut Butter and Jam’ duo now gets to strut his stuff as the Flyers’ chief pilot. Can he still sustain that robotic efficiency without Toppin playing decoy?  

13. Keyontae Johnson, F

Johnson turned in a surprise 2019-20 campaign in which he was the only Gator named to the SEC’s All-Conference 1st Team. One of the better two-way players in college basketball, the 6’5” junior looks to build on a season in which he ranked 2nd in the league in O-rating and 8th in steal rate.

12. BJ Boston, G

The crown jewel of John Calipari’s 2020 recruiting class, Boston looks to lead an extremely young Kentucky squad to yet another SEC championship and Final Four run.

11. Trayce Jackson-Davis, F/C

The one they call TJD may have been limited by Indiana’s collective roster problem last year: too many bigs, not enough shooting. Those issues aren’t entirely alleviated this year, but he should play more minutes at center, allowing him to dominate big men who can’t keep up with his quickness and skill level.

10. Garrison Brooks, F/C

UNC was a disaster last year, but it was through no fault of Brooks, whose presence in the paint is the biggest reason for Tar Heel fans to bank on a return to form for the program. His mobility in the secondary break and activity on the offensive glass align perfectly with Roy Williams’ system, and the senior will surely want to go out on a much higher note. Free throw shooting (63.0% for his career) is his biggest flaw.

9. James Bouknight, G

Bouknight exploded in the latter half of the 2019-20 season, leading his Huskies to a 9-4 record to close out the campaign. Now on the Big East stage, the sophomore phenom will be fully in the national spotlight and is destined to become a household name.

8. Evan Mobley, F

Somewhere, Evan Mobley turns to Onyeka Okongwu and says, “hold my beer”. Talent hoarder Andy Enfield will double-down on last year’s blueprint and turn to the magnificent Mobley to lead the Trojans in 2021. Bigs aren’t often built like Mobley, who will team up with big brother Isaiah to fortify the frontline. He’ll need a reliable server to feed him the rock, but when he does, look out below…

7. Collin Gillespie, G

Gillespie exceeded expectations and proved those wrong that said he couldn’t be the featured guard on a championship-caliber team. Now with a loaded roster beside him, Gillespie looks to capture Ring #2.

6. Marcus Garrett, G

College hoops’ version of ‘the Glove’, we pity those who get stuck on Garrett island. Defense will earn him big bucks down the road, but the Jayhawks need Garrett to ignite the offense this season in a world without Devon Dotson.

5. Ayo Dosunmu, G

Perhaps the most shocking “I’M BACK!” declaration in college hoops, Dosunmu should be a near-unanimous All-American this year, and Illinois fans are highly optimistic about the heights to which he can raise the program. His crunch-time shot-making may be second to none in the sport.

4. Jared Butler, G

After lurking in Makai Mason’s shadows as a freshman, Butler strapped himself to a rocket ship last year. The reigning All-American considered taking his talents to the big leagues, but he’s back to key Baylor’s incendiary offense and suffocating defense. Climbing any higher than last season’s explosion won’t be easy, but Butler is beyond worthy of a top-5 spot in our eyes.

3. Marcus Zegarowski, G

Zegarowski took our 2019-20 “Honorable Mention” ranking and turned it into an Honorable Mention All-American campaign. We’re sorry, Marcus, it won’t happen again. This is your favorite for capturing Big East Player of the Year.

2. Cade Cunningham, G

No postseason? No problem. The ringleader of Montverde’s juggernaut is a man of his word. Cade stayed firm to his initial commitment to Mike Boynton, despite being banned from the NCAA’s dance party. A long and prosperous pro career awaits him, but college fans get dibs on a one-year subscription to this generational talent.

1. Luka Garza, F/C

We may be low-ish on Iowa as a group, but we acknowledge the otherworldly destroyer that is Luka Garza. His never-ending work rate, bullying physicality, excellent footwork, and surprising shooting touch make him nearly unstoppable on offense, and he has made strides towards respectability defensively. Whether the entire Hawkeyes team can take that same step is the crux of Iowa’s dilemma this year, but there’s no question about what they’ll get from their tireless star.