Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By Connor Hope

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
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 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Calvin Hermanson (Saint Mary’s)

Perhaps the most underrated player in the conference last season, Calvin Hermanson is entering his senior season at Saint Mary’s. Once you get passed to headband and goggles look, which feels like a throwback to the days of James Worthy and Kurt Rambis, you have an excellent three-point shooter with the size to defend most positions.

While names like Jock Landale, Eric Mica, and Nigel Williams-Goss dominated headlines, and seniors Joe Rahon, Przemek Karnowski, and Jared Brownridge continued to deliver, people may have been surprised to see Calvin Hermanson earn himself a spot on the All-WCC First Team last season.

Hermanson’s 43.1% three-point shooting was good for third among qualified shooters, and his 13.0 points per game were 14th in the WCC. While usually content to fire from the perimeter, with nearly two-thirds of his shots coming from three-point range, Hermanson can also drive and finish near the rim.

Hermanson’s defensive ability was also incredibly underrated, in a conference which featured Silas Melson, Eric Mika, Joe Rahon, and Johnathan Williams. At 6’6”, Hermanson’s size and agility allow him to defend on multiple areas of the court. While his blocks and steals may not reflect his ability, he still contested and altered multiple key shots this season.

While not the best returning player on his team this season, Hermanson is still one of the best in the WCC.