NCAA Basketball: Top 16 players returning from injury for 2018-19

Many talented NCAA Basketball players were injured during the 17-18 season. Which of these players will make the biggest impact upon returning from injury?

Each season, multiple talented players suffer season-ending injuries which drastically impact their team’s fortunes. These players are often forgotten or discounted when evaluating the team for the following season as there is often heavy skepticism regarding their impact upon return.

This article will rank the top 16 players who missed last season due to injury and it is important not to overlook these players. Their teams could have really used them last season and, in some cases, their absence was the difference between making the NCAA Tournament and stumbling down the conference standings.

To qualify for the list, players had to play 10 games or less last season because that would signify a medical redshirt. This means notable players like Martin Krampejl, De’Ron Davis, Jaylen Fisher, and Amir Coffey were not included as they all played more than 10 games.

All 16 players on this list should be starters or key reserves and play at least 15-20 minutes per game. There aren’t too many honorable mentions for such a specific list like this, but Wisconsin’s Kobe King was the last player cut from the list.

16. Marcus Sheffield, Wing, Jr, Stanford

16-17 Stats: 6.7 ppg, 36% fg, 18.9 mpg

Sheffield was a key contributor on the 16-17 Stanford team, but missed last season with a leg injury. He has good size for a wing at 6’5’’ and has shown the ability to create his own shot. The wing rotation is a little crowded with rising sophomores Kezie Okpala and Oscar da Silva and highly regarded freshman Cormac Ryan, but Sheffield should still see a consistent role whether it be as a starter or sixth man.

15. Riley Norris, Wing, Sr, Alabama

16-17 Stats: 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 33% 3pt, 27.3 mpg

Norris was Alabama’s third-leading scorer in 16-17 but earned a medical redshirt last season after suffering a hip injury. His role was reduced as Alabama’s collection of young talent warranted significant playing time. He will likely play the sixth man for this upcoming season playing behind starters John Petty, Herb Jones, and Tevin Mack. Norris’ shooting and size should be a nice fit in Alabama’s wing-heavy lineup.

14. Makai Mason, PG, Sr, Baylor

15-16 Stats: 16.0 ppg, 3.8 apg, 36% 3pt (55 makes) at Yale

Mason became a recognized name for college basketball fans when Yale upset Baylor in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Ironically, he has chosen to transfer to Baylor for his final season of eligibility. Mason could be a solid replacement for Manu Lecomte if he is healthy, but he has only played one game over the past two seasons due to foot injuries. His shot-making and creation will be needed and he will compete with versatile guard Jake Lindsey and JUCO transfer Devin Bandoo for minutes.