NCAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason All-Americans/awards predictions
Preseason All-America Third Team
De’Andre Hunter | Virginia | SO
Despite the fact that De’Andre Hunter did not start a single game last season, he will be Virginia’s most important player this year. With above-average size (6-foot-7) and length, Hunter is a superb defender who can also be an impactful scorer (9.2 ppg) due to his shooting ability on the wing. He may not lead the Cavaliers in scoring this season but his impact will be felt on both ends in every matchup. UVA should be a top-10 team once again this season and he does just about everything for the team.
Keldon Johnson | Kentucky | FR
Due to Kentucky’s strong balance of depth and talent this year, it is nearly impossible to peg one or two players as preseason All-Americans. And while PJ Washington and Reid Travis may be the leading scorers this year, incoming freshman Keldon Johnson might be the most important player. He is coming to UK ranked as the No. 13 recruit in the nation and can practically do everything. He is a superb defender, strong playmaker, well-rounded scorer, and an underrated rebounding wing at 6-foot-6. A sure-fire future NBA player, Johnson should post awesome all-around numbers this season as he can impact each game differently.
Zion Williamson | Duke | FR
Easily the most exciting incoming freshman in the nation, Zion Williamson projects as the No. 2 option of Duke this season. An athletic freak who can finish in a variety of ways around the basket as well as excel in other facets of the game, Williamson is going to be a matchup nightmare. Even though he is not a reliable threat from distance, opponents are going to have a hard time slowing down this do-it-all star who will be a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Eric Paschall | Villanova | SR
Although Eric Paschall has mainly been a role player for Villanova over the past two seasons, it is now his time to emerge as the star player for head coach Jay Wright. He finished fifth on the team last year at 10.6 points per game but he did so on tremendous efficiency marks. In fact, he posted ridiculous shooting slashes of .583/.461/.801 over the last 25 games of the season. As the primary option offensively for the first time since averaged 15.9 points per game at Fordham in 2014-15, Paschall could be in for a monster year.
Ethan Happ | Wisconsin | SR
Even though Wisconsin posted a disappointing 15-18 (7-11 Big Ten) record last season, Ethan Happ posted an awesome year. In fact, while his surrounding cast struggled, Happ led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game. And considering every major contributor from last season is returning, the Badgers should be much improved this season with Happ as the leader. Happ was a Third Team All-American last year and he should at least achieve that status again.