NCAA Basketball: Best player from each conference entering January 2019

West Coast Conference: Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga

The WCC is as competitive as ever this season, and Gonzaga is at the very top of it. One of the best teams in the country, the Bulldogs are once again a big contender to win it all.

They’re led by junior forward Rui Hachimura, who is averaging 21 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game for Gonzaga. Hachimura is a real contender for national player of the year, and his Bulldogs have made serious waves in non-conference play despite experiencing several big injuries.

Hachimura spent his first two seasons largely out of the spotlight due to the production of players in front of him, but his emergence this season has been what has really vaulted Gonzaga to a National Championship-level of play. Hachimura is one of several great Gonzaga forwards, and is easily the top player in a really good West Coast Conference.

Western Athletic Conference: Milan Acquaah, Cal Bapist

A transfer from Washington State, Cal Baptist sophomore guard Milan Acquaah has emerged as the top player in the WAC despite flying well under the radar prior to the season.

Before the season, the WAC looked to be a two team fight between New Mexico State and Grand Canyon. However, thanks to Acquaah, CBU is 8-5, and are a real contender to come out on top of the WAC.

Acquaah is averaging an impressive 22.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds. Acquaah’s former high major experience is clearly an advantage in a low major conference, as Acquaah has simply dominated play early on, and will only continue to put up massive numbers against fellow WAC opponents.

Well, thats it! These aren’t the top 32 players in the country by any means, but there is your top player in each conference as conference play begins. 2019 conference play should be a blast, and you can certainly expect to see these players making headlines for their performances all throughout.