Pac-12 Basketball: Top 10 returning players for the 2017-2018 season
By Connor Hope
Honorable Mentions
Dusan Ristic (Arizona) – While Dusan Ristic will not be winning any awards this season, he provides Arizona with a solid, low-post scoring option. A senior, Ristic will help lead a deep Wildcats team, which is one of the early contenders for the National Championship.
Shannon Evans II (Arizona State) – Arizona State’s Shannon Evans is a top five returning scorer in the Pac-12, recording 15 points per game last season. Evans is also a great distributer, averaging 4.4 assists in his first year with the Sun Devils.
Kingsley Okoroh (Cal) – With all the talent leaving the Cal Golden Bears this season, Kingsley Okoroh’s 4.6 points per game is the highest among returning players. While Okoroh will not light up the scoreboard, he is one of the conference’s premier interior defenders, averaging 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last year.
George King (Colorado) – When George King withdrew from the NBA Draft he became Colorado’s top returning scorer and rebounder, coming off an 11.1 point and 6.8 rebound per game season. With Derrick White and Xavier Johnson, King should be the Buffaloes top scoring option this year.
Payton Pritchard (Oregon) – Payton Pritchard is the only returning starter for the Ducks, and he will be tasked with leading them to another NCAA Tournament. Pritchard is a solid point guard, averaging 7.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals as a freshman.
Stephen Thompson Jr. (Oregon State) – Stephen Thompson Jr. is a solid combo guard and returns to an Oregon State team that should be competitive this year, assuming injury issues don’t return. His 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game last year gives the Beavers hope that he will have another great year.
Elijah Stewart (USC) – For most of last season, USC Trojan’s Elijah Stewart was the forgotten starter, until he hit the game winner against SMU in the NCAA Tournament. Stewart is returning as a senior to provide the Trojans with solid all-around play, averaging 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks last season.
Jordan McLaughlin (USC) – Jordan McLaughlin is another USC senior that is returning to perhaps the strongest backcourt in the country. Averaging 12.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals last season, McLaughlin will be looked upon to control the tempo for the Trojans and provide strong defense.
David Collette (Utah) – David Collette is one of the best low post scorers in the Pac-12, averaging 13.6 points on .596 shooting last season. With forward Kyle Kuzma off to pursue a professional career, Collette will be the senior leader for the Utah Utes.
Noah Dickerson (Washington) – Noah Dickerson is a reliable interior scoring option and aggressive rebounder for the Washington Huskies. After averaging 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Markelle Fultz led Huskies, Dickerson will have an expanded scoring role for Washington this year.
Malachi Flynn (Washington State) – After a quietly impressive freshman season for Washington State, Malachi Flynn is set to step into the Cougars’ top role. In his first season, Flynn averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, and he showed glimpses of being a great perimeter player.