One of the more prestigious, well-respected publications, Blue Ribbon released the cover of their popular preseason preview book on Monday. On the cover? Their selection of pre-season All-Americans, which is listed below:
Fred Van Vleet (Wichita State)
Marcus Paige (North Carolina)
Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
While four of the picks make sense, the Malcolm Brogdon pick is a little controversial. As a freshman last season, he scored 12.7 points per contest and grabbed 5.4 rebounds. This season, his role will be expanded, but to the point of being a preseason All-American might be a stretch.
The other four will likely be consensus All-Americans across most publications and lists released. Kaminsky will be apart of the likely top-five ranked Badgers. Van Vleet helped lead the Shockers on their improbable run last season, while Paige will be looking to help return the Tar Heels to national title contention. Harrell likely would have been a lottery pick in last year’s loaded draft class, but chose to return to help Rick Pitino win another title for the Cardinals.
Still, the names left off the list give you an idea of the competition level of college basketball this year. Freshman like Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Karl Towns, Big Ten standouts like Sam Dekker and Caris LeVert, and many others did not make this list, but could likely find their way onto other preseason teams.
Let us know down below what your preseason first-team All-American would be?
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