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MWC Basketball: Top 5 returning players for the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope

Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 7, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) drives in for a layup against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half at San Jose State Event Center. The Spartans won 76-71. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) drives in for a layup against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half at San Jose State Event Center. The Spartans won 76-71. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Brandon Clarke (San Jose State)

The best all-around player returning to the Mountain West — and my early favorite to win Mountain West Player of the Year — is San Jose State’s Brandon Clarke. Fans can expect Clarke to have another monster year for the Spartans.

In his sophomore season, Clarke averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. The Spartan forward finished in the top three of the Mountain West in those three categories as well as field goal percentage, shooting an impressive .589 from the field.

What lifts Clarke above Hutchison as the best returning player in the conference is his defense. While both players were named to the All-Mountain West First Team, Clarke’s elite interior defense landed him on the All-Mountain West Defensive Team as well.

Clarke has had multiple huge games, all of which seemed to fly under the radar. Last season alone, Clarke recorded 11 double-doubles and had 10 games in which he blocked four, or more, shots.

Next: Top 5 Returning Players in the WCC

Because San Jose State is not a traditional basketball school, last appearing in the NCAA tournament in 1996, many fans will overlook Clarke. However, he will compete for multiple conference honors, and could even find himself in contention for All-American honors.