Sun Belt Basketball: Who are the stars for every team in 2017-18?

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 19: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Georgia State Panthers celebrates after the Panthers win 57-56 against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 19, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Georgia State Panthers – SO D’Marcus Simonds

The runner ups of the regular season, Ron Hunter will be looking for a new leader. Losing lead scorer Jeremy Hollowell and his 15.2 ppg are going to be tough to replace, but the Panthers return just about everyone else. The key will be a certain sophomore expected to take the reigns of the team.

Simonds had a great freshman year, averaging 13.4 points and chipping in four boards a game as well. As a guard, he finished second in the conference shooting and astounding 53.5% percent from the field.

D’Marcus was an all-around player for the team as well, ranking first in steals and top five in every other major category. His defensive contributions in guarding the primary scorer also help Georgia State become not only the top shooting team but the best overall defensive team as well.

Even without their best player from last year, Ron Hunter has more than enough returning talent to return to the top of the Sun Belt. And, if Simonds can develop to the point where not only he can become the go to score but handle being guarded by the best opposing defender as well, Georgia State might have their best player since first round pick R.J. Hunter.