Big 12 Basketball: Top 10 returning players for 2018-19

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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Photo by John Weast/Getty Images /

10. Christian James, Oklahoma

Trae Young’s departure will leave the Oklahoma Sooners searching for another scoring option for this upcoming season. The Sooners should look no further than rising senior guard Christian James. James had a productive junior year this past season alongside Young in the starting lineup.

He put up 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game through 31 appearances in 2017-18, all starts. He saw his 3-point percentage go up a notch despite an uptick in minutes. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 36.5 percent from behind the arc last year after shooting 34.4 percent in 2016-17.

James set a new career-high with 23 points against Texas Tech back on Feb. 13. He made four 3-pointers in the game although Oklahoma fell 88-78. His role should expand in 2018-19 as the Sooners returning leading scorer. He’ll need to do more than just score if he hopes for more success, though.

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