NCAA Basketball: Top 10 graduating seniors who will be missed the most

10. Thomas Welsh – UCLA Bruins

2017-18 stats: 12.6 ppg 10.8 rpg 1.4 apg

Career stats (132 games): 9.5 ppg 7.8 rpg 0.8 apg

One of the fun things about four-year players is watching not only the growth and maturation of the individual but also the change of heart fans have towards them.

In his first couple of years at UCLA, Welsh was considered a huge defensive liability, and in the forgettable 15-17 season in 2016, he received the ire from many fans for his lapses down the middle. He was viewed as part of the problem with the Alford-led Bruins.

But the seven-foot center changed his offensive game for the better his junior season. He all of a sudden became automatic from 15-feet and provided the balance needed for UCLA to become the top offense in the country. Lonzo Ball will receive the majority of the credit for that, but Welsh also made things easier for him as well.

The final season was when he really made strides to become one of the best big men in college basketball. He went from a good rebounder to an elite one, while becoming the focal point of the offense along with Aaron Holiday.

The biggest transformation came on the defensive end, where Welsh went from a liability to end up in the top-10 in win shares. His constant effort and poise made him a fan favorite, as they were never any questions about his heart.

The senior leaves as one of the best rebounders in team and conference history, and was more valuable than most of the four and five-star prospects that came along with him.