WCC Basketball: Top 5 returning players of the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope | May 31, 2017

Jan 14, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) fights for position against St. Mary's Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) and center Jock Landale (34) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 79-56. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

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March 4, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Pacific Tigers forward Jack Williams (11) dribbles the basketball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) during the second half at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions:

Chase Foster (San Francisco) – Chase Foster is the top returning scorer on a San Francisco Dons team that could be better than BYU this season. His 40% shooting from three-point range will help him become a solid scoring wing this year.

Josh Perkins (Gonzaga) – While Josh Perkins hasn’t lived up to the hype he received as a recruit, he was quietly one of the better three-point shooters in the conference last season. After a year of being second fiddle to 2016-2017 WCC Player of the Year Nigel Williams-Goss, Perkins will once again have control of the offense.

Silas Melson (Gonzaga) – Silas Melson, who came off the bench for Gonzaga last year, may be the best on-ball defender in the WCC. His combined ability to pester ball handlers on defense and score at a high rate on offense almost landed him in the Top 5.

Emmett Naar (Saint Mary’s) – Emmett Naar, is a solid point guard that should take over the Gaels’ offense, with Joe Rahon gone. Naar averaged a solid 9.4 points and 5.6 assists last season, although his 5.0 points and 3.9 assists against NCAA Tournament teams made some question his confidence under pressure.

Olin Carter III (San Diego) – Olin Carter III is undersized at 6’2” and 190 pounds, but that doesn’t keep him from scoring. After averaging 15.3 points last season, he will most likely take over for Brett Bailey as the first option scorer on the Toreros.

Anthony Townes (Pacific) – Anthony Townes is the Tigers’ top returning scorer and rebounder, who will take the role of team leader after the departures of Ray Bowles and TJ Wallace. While his 10.3 points and 7.1 rebounds were impressive, his lack of size was exposed in his disappointing performances against Gonzaga’s big men.

Jack Williams (Pacific) – After being the 6^th man on the WCC second-to-last place team in 2016-2017, Jack Williams is positioned to be a starter. After a slow start to the season, Williams improved and provided WCC powerhouse Gonzaga with its toughest individual opponent of conference play, as he averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds against the Bulldogs, shooting 59.1% from the field and 75% from three.