Busting Brackets
Fansided

ACC Basketball: Breaking down the 2017-18 star on each team in the conference

By Lukas Harkins

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 04: Grayson Allen (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 04: Grayson Allen (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 16: Bryant Crawford (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 16: Bryant Crawford (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Wake Forest Demon Deacons – JR Bryant Crawford

Wake Forest might be a program on the rise in the ACC, but they still have a long way to go before becoming a contender in the conference. After losing star forward John Collins to the NBA, head coach Danny Manning will need a new star. Incoming top-50 recruit Chaundee Brown will certainly make an instant impact, but returning junior Bryant Crawford will be the star this season.

Playing second fiddle in the offense to Collins last season, Crawford had a quiet-but-spectacular season. As the primary playmaker in the offense, Crawford was an excellent scorer and distributor. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. To put this in perspective, NC State guard Dennis Smith Jr. was the only other ACC player to average at least 16 points and five assists per game last season.

Despite losing Collins, Crawford will have a new partner-in-crime in Brown this upcoming season. Combining those two guards with Keyshawn Woods, another double-digit scoring guard last season, will make for a dangerous trio of guards in the ACC. With those three running the team, the Demon Deacons might be able to snag a couple of major upsets this year.

Next: Who are the stars in the AAC?

ACC basketball is home to some of the best talents in the entire country. Will several teams likely starting in the preseason top-25, these stars are going to be making headlines all season long. If you do not know their names now, you will by the end of the season, so take note.